By Patrick Anderson
Staff writer
May 14, 2008 05:37 am ESSEX — Propelled by the largest number of voters to cast ballots in an annual town election in 10 years, incumbent Raymond Randall retained his selectman's seat Monday with a convincing victory over challenger Ed Neal in a vote that reaffirmed support for the style and policies of the current Board of Selectmen. Randall, a financial planner who campaigned on a record of working toward consensus with fellow board members during his three years as a selectman, drew 72 percent of the vote, beating Neal, 530-201. "Essex voters know that there are many issues in front of them and want us to work through these issues in a reasonable fashion," Randall said yesterday. "The number of voters that turned out was impressive, considering that there was not another significant vote on the ballot." Despite the fact there were no override questions or other contested races on the ballot, 737 voters — 28 percent of those registered — came to the polls in the heaviest voter turnout for a regular election since 1998. Last year, with a vote on accepting the Community Preservation Act on the ballot, but no contested race for selectman, 370 voters came to the polls. In 2006, another year with no contested selectman race, 394 voters turned out. In 2003, around 1,600 voters turned out for a special election on the construction of a new regional high school. Neal, a former selectman and School Committee member, had campaigned on a pledge to never sell town-owned waterfront land at Conomo Point and on being unafraid to stand his ground on difficult issues. Neal yesterday said he was surprised by the margin of Randall's victory but respected the will of the voters. He said at the moment he did not have any plans to join or run for another board. Randall yesterday said during his discussions with residents during door-to-door campaigning and interaction with voters outside the polls Monday, he sensed a willingness among longtime residents to come together on sticky issues and an interest among new residents of the town to get involved. "To hear so many viewpoints from so many people was a fascinating process," Randall said. "Town Meeting was a watershed event, where people expressed a willingness to explore things like zoning they hadn't before. There are people who arrived in Essex in the last four to eight years who want to embrace it and take care of issues that have been neglected for years." Randall said he had spoken with many people he thinks could contribute to the town on a variety of boards and committees whom he wants to bring into the fold. He also said he wants to sit down with Neal and find a way to integrate his ideas into what the town is doing.
Other results Although the selectman race drew most of the attention and was the only contested race on the ballot, 10 other seats on local boards and committees were decided Monday, including two by write-in campaigns. With no candidates submitting nominating signatures for one open School Committee spot, Alva Ingaharro of Martin Street was elected by write-in vote, taking the place of Karen Gaudiano, who did not seek re-election. Two seats were open on the Planning Board and only one candidate, Jason Heath, was nominated to appear on the ballot. With Heath taking one seat, Juergen Dietrichson of Western Avenue won 160 votes to beat out two other write-in candidates, Kevin Street of Wood Drive and Robert Tyack of Pond Street, 147 and 95 votes respectively, for the other. Neither Robert Fitzgibbon nor Michael Cataldo, current Planning Board members, sought re-election. In uncontested votes, the following were re-elected: David Lane, town moderator; Barry Ewing, Board of Assessors; David Driscoll, Board of Health; Roger Lander and Ron Feener, constables; and Harold Addison, Housing Authority. Diane Kotch was elected to the Board of Library Trustees.
Patrick Anderson can be reached at panderson@gloucestertimes.com.
How they voted Selectman's race 530: *Raymond Randall, incumbent 201: Ed Neal 3: Blanks 3: Write-ins * Winner
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Photos
Raymond Randall Staff photo