Porreca Qualifies for At-Large Council Race

Attleboro has its first official candidate in the at-large city council contest for the fall election. Attleboro Farmers Market manager Heather Porreca's nomination papers were certified Thursday, the Election's Department confirmed.

"I am happy that my nomination papers have been certified and I will officially be on the ballot for city councilor at-large this fall," wrote Porreca in an email to Attleboro Patch. "I am encouraged and grateful for the support that I have received as I take the first step toward representing our community."

She added, "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. 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."

Porreca and her husband Eddie have lived in Attleboro for 13 years. He is the vendor coordinator for the farmers market. The two received Person of the Year awards from the United Regional Chamber of Commerce in 2011. However, the market has not been without controversy. A series of epic council meetings took place last year to deal with conflicts between the market and the then-neighboring library. At one point, restrictions were placed on the market that may have caused it to move, but these rules were reversed the next week. The conflicts will likely not be renewed this year because the market has moved to Finberg Field.

Porreca has three children in the public school system and is a bus driver for the district. She has not previously run for elected office.

The top five vote-getters in the at-large contest earn seats on the council. Four at-large incumbents—Richard Conti, Peter Blais, Jay DiLisio and Brian Kirby—have pulled nomination papers. The fifth, Sara-Lynn Reynolds, told Patch last month she would not seek a second term because she plans to run for the state Senate seat currently occupied by Richard Ross. Businessman Bert Buckley has also pulled papers. 

The deadline to enter the election is July 30.