Politics & Government

VIDEO: Rice and McLintock Win Selectmen Seats

Phoebe Dunn takes the Planning Board seat, shutting out political rookie Russell Horsman; John Bilodeau beats Robert Richardson in the school committee race.

The only newcomer to a Seekonk Board of Selectmen race, Bill Rice won by a landslide Monday night, showing his opponents lack of experience is far from a political handicap. The Seekonk Planning Board member was all smiles after the tallies were announced; he received 830 votes after residents cast their ballots at Seekonk High School up until 8 p.m.

"I ran because I needed to have a better voice – better representation in a more collaborative government," Rice said. "I want to develop a long-term plan for Seekonk, one that is good for all its residents."

Bob McLintock won the other selectmen seat with 589 votes, but it was a narrow margin. Candidate Webster Larkin garnered 584 votes. John Turner came in last place with 546.

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A pleased McLintock said he's eager to start putting together a sound 2012 fiscal budget with the help of department heads. But first, he planned on celebrating his win at DiParma Restaurant.

"I want to get the real figures on the budget, work together with the school superintendent," he said outside the high school auditorium.

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Incumbent Phoebe Dunn won the planning board seat over her opponent Russell Horsman, a rookie to Seekonk's political arena, but he isn't letting go of the political reins soon; he anticipates being appointed to the Seekonk Planning Board to fill Rice's place.

John Bilodeau also won by a landslide, shutting out his only contender, Bob Richardson, the former Board of Selectmen chairman. According to residents at the high school, a second round of automated messages went out last week before the election denouncing Richardson's character.

Once situated with his new school committee members, Bilodeau wants to get back to basics.

"We need good quality education at a fair price. I want to go back to teaching life skill classes. We need to work on the budget, that is critical. We need to come up with some creative spending ideas."

As the unofficial results came in, it appeared that Larkin’s latest attempt at becoming a selectman would fall a handful of votes short.  Although he was backed by the chairman of the Seekonk Republicans, Paul Buckley, it simply was not enough to capture the seat.

“If the voters want change, I’m their person,” said Larkin at home, surrounded by supporters. “I’m the one that ruffles feathers.”

Larkin said he ran on a platform of accountability and transparency, adding that current board members are unable to say "no" and the town is suffering. Larkin believes the recurring problems with the Bakers Corner project are a clear indication of the board’s failures.

“There are many issues that the public doesn’t know about and that’s the way the board wants it,” Larkin said.

Only 1,422 registered voters – fewer than 20 percent of those eligible – made it out to the polls. 

Town Clerk Jan Parker said she was suprised by the results mainly because the gap between Larkin and McLintock was so narrow. "It was really close," she said outside Town Hall.

Resident Mark Smith said he voted to keep the status quo.

"I don't want a lot of change, I wanted to maintain stability. That is what steered tonight's vote," he said.

Voter Shawna Troiano also voted for familiarity. "I wanted to vote for my neighbor Bill Rice. He has the right ideas and the right mentality for the job," she said.

Board of Selectmen Precinct 1 2 3 4 Grand Total John Turner 129 170 117 130 546 William Rice 205 256 192 117 830 Webster Larkin 167 173 128 116 584 Robert McLintock 152 180 138 119 589 Write-ins 5

 

Planning Board Precinct 1 2 3 4 Grand Total Phoebe Dunn 167 245 162 124 698 Russell Horsman 152 143 127 149 571 School Committee Precinct 1 2 3 4 Grand Total John Bilodeau 236 291 216 190 933 Robert Richardson 109 111 85 88 393

With reports from Michael Earnheart and Colby Cremins.


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