Come read the full guide: http://www.lwvbraintreearea.com/mayor2007

A little over a year ago Braintree decided to change it's form of government and had it ratified by the State. Now, You the voter, get to choose who it will be! Please check back as we fill in information and photos of each candidate!

The LWV has put the following question to all candidates:

“What do you perceive to be the major issue of the office for which you are running and how do you propose to address the issue?”

Webmaster's note: These are being published as I have time to type them up, and the posting of one candidate without their competitors is not inteneded as an endorsement. All candidates information (that I actually receive) will eventually be posted. Check back tomorow!

Mayor

• Joseph Sullivan
• Joseph Powers

School Committee

• David Cunningham
• Sean Powers
• Melissa Berman
• Anthony Holmes
• David Ringius, Jr.
• Shannon Hume

Library Trustees

• Jeffrey Kunz
• Harold Randolph
• Ann Toland
• Edith Weinberg
• Sonya Shaw
• Janice Weitbrecht

Library Trustees Four Year Term

• John Pelose
• Patricia Pilgrim

Municipal Light Board

• Thomas Reynolds
• Anthony Agnitti
• James Regan

Housing Authority

• Marta Googins
• John Kerrigan, Jr
• Kenneth McHugh
• Rosemarie Lauria
• Catherine Sullivan

Councilors-at-large

• Charles Ryan
• Leland Dingee
• Harold Randolph
• Alfred Varraso
• John Gauthier, Jr
• Joseph DiStasio

Town Councilor for District 1

• Charles Kokoros
• David Cushing
• Regina Norton Zahran

Town Councilor for District 2

• Linda Cusick Woodman
• John Mullaney

Town Councilor for District 3

• Thomas Bowes

Town Councilor for District 4

• Henry Joyce
• Richard Wentzel

Town Councilor for District 5

• Ronald DeNapoli
• William Grove
• William Sweeney
• Matthew Wood

Town Councilor for District 6

• Paul Dan Clifford
• Edward Langill

Education:

• Fontbonne Academy, Aquinas
• UMass- Boston

Occupation:

• Caterer, Bridal Consultant, Event Planner

Community Service:

• Board of Trade, Braintree Business Council
• Marge Crispin Center
• Town Meeting Member
• BHS Hall of Fame

Answer:

I want to continue the quality of care and the safe living conditions for our seniors and disabled residents.

Education:

• Boston College, BS in Accounting 1968
• Suffolk University School of Law 1974 JD

Occupation:

• Tax Controversy Attorney

Community Service:

• Finance Committee from 1998 to 2004
• Town Meeting Member 2000 to 2007
• Volunteer Lawyer for the Boston Bar Association

Answer:

It's hard to pinpoint one issue that is more important than all others. Braintree has grown stale and must be rejuvenated. However, my greatest concern is the condition of the buildings owned by the town. Over the years, we have failed to maintain our buildings. Because of a lack of money, we have taken care of the immediate problems that required minimal funds but failed to maintain our structures because the cost was too great.

Education:

• MA, Communication Studies – Emerson College
• BA, Political Science – Umass/Boston
• Graduate – Braintree Public Schools, 1986 (K-12)

Occupation:

• Director of Internal Communications, BNY Mellon Asset Servicing, Boston

Answer:

Our new government needs to be established on a strong foundation to ensure quality service and programs for our residents, taxpayers and business owners.

The major issues that our town has faced over the years – paving and maintaining roads, sustaining excellence in our public schools and using your tax dollars wisely - demand strong leadership.

My candidacy is based on building a strong foundation and providing the leadership and independence needed for our government to succeed.

Education

• Braintree Public Schools, K-12
• University of Massachusetts, Amherst, BA in Political Science
• Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government, MPA

Occupation

• Business/Transportation Consultant, South Shore Chamber of Commerce

Community Service

• Braintree Town Meeting Member, 1982-Present
• Braintree Board of Selectmen, 1986-1992
• State Representative, 1993-2003
• House Chairman, Committee on Transportation, 1997-2003
• Executive Director, Massachusetts State Lottery, 2003-2007
• Braintree Youth Sports Coach
• Member, Braintree Historical Society
• Member. Friends of Thayer Public Library

Answer:

As Mayor I will implement an ABC Plan for Braintree.

• A is for fiscal accountability. Implement a complete and independent audit of the entire town budget and eliminate the trash fee.
• B is for beautification. Establish a comprehensive roads reconstruction plan, repair and upgrade our schools, and upgrade our town’s appearance.
• C is for a commitment to core services. Create a “user-friendly” Town Hall for the delivery of all town services through technology and innovation.