JP Neighborhood Council Election Sure to Bring Change to Board

In the wake of the controversy over the arrival of Whole Foods to Jamaica Plain, only seven members of the JP Neighborhood Council are seeking to keep their seats.

That means that after the biennial elections set for Saturday, the volunteer advisory board is set to change dramatically.

Yet despite howls of protest from some residents over the JPNC's handling of the Whole Foods matter, only one avowed critic of the group is running: Richard Parritz seeks an at-large seat, saying in his candidate statement that, "the JPNC continues to far overstep its authority. Consequently, the JPNC has turned many good-hearted people off from both living and considering opening businesses and bringing jobs here."

Two candidates with highly visible ties to the anti-gentrification group "Whose Foods" are running: Martha Rodriguez for at-large and Brian Squadrille in Area A. Squadrille's election is all but assured because four candidates are running for five seats in Area A.

Here are lists of those running. An (i) indicates that person is an incumbent. Hyperlinks are to candidate statements:

: Oliver De Leon, Arazeliz Reyes, Brian Squadrille, Jeffrey Wiesner

: David Baron (i), Jesse White (i)

: Karley Ausiello (i), Ben Day, Andrea Howley (i), Ken Sazama, Hyun Shin, Christian Young

: Ed "Red" Burrows (i), Francesca Fordiani (i), Michael Reiskind (i), Richard Parritz, Martha Rodriguez, Joseph Wight

In Areas A and B, fewer candidates are running than seats are available, so those candidates will very likely get seats. There would need to be a major write-in campaign or campaigns to keep those candidates off the council.

In the past, when there have been empty Neighborhood Council seats, the group has appointed persons to fill the vacancies.

The Neighborhood Council, started in 1985 by Mayor Ray Flynn, advises the city boards downtown about decisions affecting JP. Issues range from whether a restaurant should get a liquor license to zoning and city services. City Hall doesn't always agree with the recommendations of the Neighborhood Council.

Elections are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday at these three locations: , and . Any JP resident age 16 or more can vote. Voters can vote for five area members and five at-large members. Poll workers will help you find which "area" you reside in.