Haverhill School Committee members whose terms are ending this year are Shaun P. Toohey, Paul A. Magliocchetti and Maura Ryan-Ciardiello. (WHAV News photograph.)
As Friday’s deadline approaches for taking out nomination papers for local election, it’s looking less likely the city will require a preliminary election, especially with another candidate dropping out.
Alicia Smolar, 2 Edwin St., took out papers in May to run for School Committee, but formally withdrew Wednesday, the Haverhill City Clerk’s office confirmed. She told WHAV’s Michael Conte she is withdrawing because of “an unforeseen family crisis.”
Incumbent Shaun P. Toohey is also not running, choosing instead to seek the Third Essex state representative seat being vacated in September by Brian S. Dempsey. Toohey initially planned to run for City Council, but cancelled that bid this week.
Smolar, a Mount Washington neighborhood resident, described herself as a stay-at-home mom with a daughter in fifth-grade at the Silver Hill Horace Mann Charter School. While she said the School Committee needs, in her words, “fresh blood,” she made up her mind to run after perceiving a lack of member interest in a presentation about the high’s school’s Model United Nations program.
Next Tuesday is the deadline for filing nomination papers. So far, 11 candidates for City Council, four candidates for School Committee and Mayor James J. Fiorentini have been certified.
If the city cancels the Sept. 12 preliminary election, all candidates will appear on the final ballot Tuesday, Nov. 7—the same day as a special election for state representative. A special primary for state representative is scheduled for Tuesday Oct. 10.
sorry to read that Alicia is not running. thank you maura ciardiello for running for a new term. we need more women in government