Election Candidates Make Their Pitch at Tuesday Event

With Election Day rapidly approaching, residents had the opportunity to put a name to many of the faces that will be on their ballot during Tuesday’s Meet the Candidates Night at Tewksbury Country Club.

The event, which was hosted by Tewksbury Patch, provided each candidate in attendance the opportunity to speak for five minutes on why they believe they are the best choice on Election Day.

While not every candidate was able to attend, the majority of candidates spoke to the crowd in attendance.

While several of the races are unopposed, there are a variety of hotly contested races on this year’s ballot. Contested races are on the docket for two-year and three-year terms on the Board of Health, a seat on the Shawsheen Tech School Committee, two spots on the Tewksbury School Committee and two seats on the Board of Selectmen.

For the Board of Selectmen race, there are six candidates vying for just two three-year terms. Four of them were in attendance at Tuesday’s event, while Robert Marcin and Mary Ellen Fernald were unable to attend.

Richard Menard opened the speeches by talking about his job in the Fire Department, and adding that his position as “just a regular guy” gives him a unique perspective that he believes would be helpful on the board.

Incumbent Todd Johnson said that “a lot has been accomplished” since he was first elected. He said that while he sees the glass as half full, he “knows there is a lot of work still to do.”

Ken Miano agreed that the glass is half full, and went on to add that a new face on the Board of Selectmen would “infuse some new energy and will propel this town in the right direction.”

Jim Wentworh closed out the night with his speech, which highlighted how he believes his background in economic development will push the town in the direction it needs to go in.

“We’re falling behind our neighboring communities,” said Wentworth. “That’s why economic development is so important to me.”

To learn more about the candidates, residents are encouraged to attend a candidates debate on Monday, April 1 at Tewksbury High School. Election Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 6.

The cable broadcast of the Meet the Candidates Night will run on cable Ch-8 Comcast  and  Ch. 33 Verizon at 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. starting today and continuing through the Election.