Politics & Government

Election Office: Last Call for Candidates to Turn in Signatures

The Election Department at City Hall has been buzzing with activity.

has been buzzing with conversation on who will run for a seat on the Attleboro City Council and School Committee and who will be sitting in the corner office as Mayor next year. 

Residents have until 5 p.m. Tuesday to hand in the required number of signatures needed to be certified as a candidate for the 2011 election. 

Several races had Maryann Draine and other members of the Election Office wondering whose name would be on the ballot. Draine said she was also curious to see whether a preliminary election would be necessary because of the number of people certified to run for the five City Council at Large seats.

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As the close of business Monday, it didn't look like one would be necessary, but it is close. Anthony Parziale, Sara-Lynn Reynolds and City Councilor Cherie Felos turned in their signatures this week, bringing the total number of candidates vying for a spot to eight. 

At the close of business Monday, City Councilor Kimberly Allard had not yet handed in her signatures, leaving officials and the public guessing on whether she'd made a decision to run for an at Large seat. 

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"Anything can happen until then," Draine said about the Tuesday deadline. 

The race for seats on the School Committee also had a late addition to the roster as newcomer Laura Dolan entered the race for Ward 5 against long-time School Committee Member Frances Zito. Dolan handed in her collection of signatures Monday morning. 

Backing Out

Others, who had pulled papers to run for various seats but did not turn in signatures, made it clear why they decided to no longer run for City Council and School Committee. 

Lisa McDonnell, who was running for City Council Ward 6, said her reason for dropping out is simple.

"I'm tired of my family being harassed," McDonnell said, referring to supporters of her opponent, City Councilor Shannon Heagney. 

Joseh Lazzerini, who had planned to run against Teri Enegren for School Committee Ward 1, also changed his mind. 

"I will not be returning my papers for Ward 1 School Committee and instead I will be working on the elections of candidates for all offices in our City who are dedicated to a core set of progressive values when it comes to our finances and education," he said. "While, I feel as to though I could be a strong voice for the students, parents and teachers of the City of Attleboro, I feel as though right now is not the right time for me."

Lazzerini, who is pursing a degree in Business Administration and Marketing Management at  said he still has strong feelings about the committee and what he'd like to see happen. 

"Our school committee will not attain its full heights until they educate themselves about the important issues facing our school system and put their personal issues with each other aside," he said. "Current members have become infuriated with each other at almost every single meeting since being elected less than two years ago."

Lazzerini said he supports the Ward 1 School Committee Member Teri Enegren because she brings an honest approach to the committee and has worked hard to represent the needs and the issues of students and parents.

Watch each week as Patch posts profiles of your candidates. 


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