Porreca Plans Election Campaign Kickoff

At-large city council candidate Heather Porreca and her supporters will gather tonight at Sangria's in downtown Attleboro for an event to kick off her election campaign. The event, which is open to the public, will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Porreca is the manager of the Attleboro Farmers Market and a bus driver for the local school district. She and her husband Eddie have lived in the city for 13 years. They have three children, who attend local public schools.

"It would be an honor to serve on the council and be a voice for the citizens as we make great strides and progress into the future," she wrote in an email to Patch after her nomination papers were certified in March. "As many of you know, I am passionate about Attleboro and I feel that I can contribute to the continued growth and development of our city. It is very important to me to speak with and listen to the citizens of Attleboro over the coming months."

As of Friday, Porreca is one of five candidates, and the only non-incumbent, certified for the at-large contest. The others are Peter Blais, Richard Conti, Jay DiLisio and Brian Kirby. Three people (Bert Buckley, Ronald Churchill and Stephen Kane) have pulled papers, but not returned them as of Friday. The deadline to enter the election is July 30.

The top five vote-getters in the at-large contest will earn seats on the council. The fall election will also include contests for the six ward representatives on the council, mayor, all school committee seats as well as city clerk, collector and treasurer. The preliminary election (if needed) will take place Sept. 17. The regular election is scheduled for Nov. 5.