Election Central

Haverhill’s Ward 1 City Councilor Basiliere Says He Plans to Seek Re-Election

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Ward 1 Haverhill City Councilor Ralph T. Basiliere is the first to formally announce his campaign for re-election during the city election this year. Basiliere, who won election as the city’s first Ward 1 councilor in modern times in 2023, plans to kick off his re-election campaign Thursday, April 24, beginning at 6:30 p.m., at Maria’s Restaurant, 81 Essex St., Haverhill. In a statement to WHAV, Basiliere pointed to his record. “I’m proud of keeping my promise to keep my neighborhood safe. By supporting the recent contract with firefighters, we’ve doubled hose capacity for the first engine at a working fire.

Education

Haverhill School Committee Vice Chair Rosa Says He Won’t Seek Re-Election This Fall

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Haverhill’s city election season is promising early excitement with a two-term member of the Haverhill School Committee choosing not to seek re-election. Current School Committee Vice Chair Richard J. Rosa, who has served since the start of 2018, told WHAV Sunday he will not seek re-election during this year’s balloting. He said he chose to make his plans known early so that “those interested in running for an open at-large seat on the Haverhill School Committee have ample time to plan and campaign citywide in a geographically large municipality.”

“A competitive election with engaged, serious, and thoughtful candidates benefits our schools and community by bringing informed and fair-minded voices to the conversation about education,” he explained in a statement. Rosa was the only newcomer chosen for School Committee by voters during the 2017 election, filling an opening created when member Shaun P. Toohey decided not to seek re-election to the body. At the time, School Committee terms were staggered with three people elected to four-year terms during every other city election.

Election Central

Haverhill City Council Approves 2025 Local Election Calendar; Here are Dates to Know

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The Haverhill City Council on Tuesday approved the city’s election calendar, which comes with some very important dates for those planning on running for office. Besides choosing a mayor, voters this year cast ballots the second time for mostly ward city councilors and School Committee members. It is the first time, though, they will specifically choose three at-large School Committee members for two-year terms. In 2023, Haverhill School Committee members Paul A. Magliocchetti, Richard J. Rosa and Maura L. Ryan-Ciardiello were permitted to serve out their remaining two years of four-year terms to which they were elected in 2021. Nomination papers for candidates will be available at 8 a.m., Monday, May 5, at City Hall with Friday, July 25, the last day to take out nomination papers. The last day to file nomination papers is Tuesday, July 29, at 5 p.m., where the Board of Registrars will certify signatures collected.

Election Central

Voters Advance Duff to Register of Deeds and Zeigler as Her Successor on Governor’s Council

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Two well-known women were lifted by voters Tuesday to new government seats—Governor’s Councilor Eileen R. Duff to Southern Essex Register of Deeds and former Methuen Councilor Eunice D. Zeigler as Duff’s successor on the Governor’s Council. Duff, who spoke to WHAV by telephone, described new technological challenges at the Registry of Deeds. “This is the first time in 45 years there’s been a new register. There’s going to be a lot of new things to learn for both me and the staff because we’re entering a whole, brand-new time with AI and the advent of mortgage fraud at the highest rate it’s ever been. I’m looking forward to getting to work on those issues.

Beacon Hill News

Voters Give State Auditor Diana DiZoglio Landslide Victory to Examine Legislature

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State Auditor Diana DiZoglio won overwhelming voter approval to regularly audit the legislature, while it remains to be seen what Senate and House leaders might do to nullify the public’s choice. The landslide victory—roughly 2.1 million votes in favor to 842,000 against with 88% of the vote counted, crossed party lines. It delivers former state Sen. and Rep. DiZoglio, a sweeping charge that goes beyond simply looking at spending. The ballot question requires the state auditor to “audit the accounts, programs, activities and functions directly related to the aforementioned accounts of all departments, offices, commissions, institutions and activities of the commonwealth, including those of districts and authorities created by the general court and the general court itself, and including those of the income tax division of the department of revenue…”

“I am a believer in the power of government to do amazing things—to make life better for everyone, everywhere,” said DiZoglio. “I have seen that power first hand, but I’ve also seen the work that remains to build a state government that lives up to its values.