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Politics & Government

Update: Mark Cooper Wins Attleboro City Council Seat

Mark Cooper is the Ward 2 City Councilor winner.

Editor's Note: Mark Cooper has won the Ward Two Attleboro City Council seat against opponent Richard Correia. Cooper won the election with 211 votes, while his opponent received 162 votes. 

Even a warm and sunny spring day did not encourage many citizens to come out and vote for either Richard Correia or Mark Cooper in the special election held on Tuesday for the Attleboro City Council Ward Two seat left vacant by the departure of George Ross, elected as State Representative in November.

As of 5 p.m., just 256 voters out of a total of 4,854 eligible voters in the city’s largest ward, had gone to the polls at the only voting site for this special election, the Good News Bible Chapel on West Street. After polls closed, a total of 375 citizens voted. 

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Both candidates stood outside throughout the day, flashing their signs and waving as cars went by.

But the turnout was “disappointing”, according to several Ward Two voters who were interviewed after leaving the polls and then responded why they voted and what issues were most important to them. Many said they were interested in city-wide issues, not those related specifically to Ward Two. Others simply said it was their “civic responsibility” and a privilege to vote.

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“I am interested in increasing the business presence, keeping the schools and other city services,” Rose Larson said. 

“It is important to have someone on the council who has had years of service to the city,” Bob Scholl said. “It also helps to have a businessman in town who has that perspective.”

Commander Paul Pouliot of the American Legion counted three matters most important to him: “I would like the see the parade come back to South Attleboro, help the American Legion financially and I have no good feelings about the ARA (Attleboro Redeveloment Authority), either the past or present members,” he said.

Past City Councilor Antonio Viveiros and his son, Jon, voted in late afternoon and the father stressed every vote counts. “I know how important it is to vote because I was up by one vote once in an election, then I had a recount and I lost by a vote,” he said. Jon indicated that it “was a tough vote because there are two very qualified candidates.”

The Eastly couple- Martin and Martha- echoed the response of many voters who were interviewed. “I voted because it is my civic duty and because I was brought up that way,” Martha said. “I am more interested about what is going on downtown and stay away from these political squabbles,” Martin said. “I want to see more local business brought in and I prefer to shop locally.”

Correia and Cooper certainly seemed to fit the bill as “experienced” and active, concerned candidates.

Cooper, an inpatient Lung Transplant Coordinator and Registered Nurse at an academic medical center, has been involved in Attleboro city government in the Planning Board and Conservation Commission.

Correia, electrical contractor and Master Electrician, currently serves on the ARA and served on the Attleboro School Board for eight years in various capacities.

Both candidates acknowledged the economy is the most important issue facing the city. “The city is facing a struggling economy and needs leaders who will think out of the box to help reduce spending,” Correia had said, adding he would focus “on the creation of jobs” to help the economy.  

Cooper indicated he would like to “see the city work hard to control spending and control fees and “to fully examine and scrutinize city expenditures, review indirect fee schedules including water and sewer rates, and explore alternate revenue opportunities. “

Both agreed the Industrial Park could be one of the cornerstones to the city’s growth.

“The Ward 2 Councilor needs to be concerned with these factors and must ensure all possible is being done to keep and attract business to the existing Industrial Park and the IBP,” Cooper said.

As a member of the Attleboro Redevelopment Authority, the board has been working very closely with many government agencies to encourage and promote the land that has been cleared on Wall Street land for future growth,” Correia said. “I will support the ARA in their efforts to revitalize the downtown area.“

Correia talked about “making a better effort in marketing to promote a better business climate in the city.”

Cooper indicated “we need to equally promote and support the small business owners. The council must be accessible and listen to any and all opportunity for new business in the city and support redevelopment through both public and private funding.”

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