Mumford Falls Short: No Primary For School Committee

With the signature verification process complete, the Board of Canvassers announced this morning that Woonsocket will only be selecting City Council candidates in the Oct. 11 primary election. 

Although 12 candidates for School Committee to city offices before the 4 p.m. deadline on Tuesday, two candidates, Mildred Campbell and Gary Mumford, fell short of the required 100 signatures. 

Campbell, who planned to run, said that she had turned in her nomination papers in advance, but received a call from City Hall around 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

"They could not verify all of my signatures and asked if I could come and try to get a few more, but I was at work" Campbell explained.

Another contender for the committee, Gary Mumford, also fell short of 100 resulting in just 10 registered candidates. A run-off election only takes place when there are more than twice as many candidates as there are seats available. The final ten candidates for School Committee in the November 2011 election are as follows: John V. Donlon, Jr.; Anthony J. Gabriele; ; George E. King; Anita Ann McGuire-Forcier (incumbent); Eleanor M. Nadeau (incumbent); (incumbent); Allen R. Rivers; ; and Thomas Wrona.

The 15 verified candidates for City Council meet the benchmark and will face-off in a primary election which is expected to cost the city $25,000.

The following names will appear on the October ballot for City Council seats: Christopher A. Beauchamp; Albert G. Brien; Stella G. Brien (incumbent); James Cournoyer; Marc A. Dubois (departing School Committee Chair); Daniel M. Gendron (incumbent); Roger G. Jalette (incumbent); ; c; Steven Lima; ; Roland Michaud; Michael Moniz; and John Ward (incumbent, Council president.)

Incumbent Mayor Leo Fontaine will be running unopposed in the November election.