Election Central

Early Voting in Haverhill Begins Saturday; Deadline to Register to Vote is Friday

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The Haverhill City Clerk’s office plans early voting beginning this Saturday. Haverhill City Clerk Kaitlin M. Wright said early voting for the city’s final election begins with voting Saturday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., in the former Registry of Motor Vehicles location in the basement of the City Hall, 4 Summer St. Early voting continues weekdays, beginning Monday, Oct. 30, through Friday, Nov.

Education

Haverhill High Government Students Show Current Events Knowledge at Council Forum

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Haverhill’s housing crisis, plans for balancing the budget, crime and Merrimack River pollution were front of mind Monday night when Haverhill High School students grilled candidates for Haverhill City Council. While the audience turnout was somewhat sparse, the questions compiled by the students, all members of the Advanced Placement Government class of instructor Shaun Ashworth, were timely. Participating candidates included, in ballot order, Thomas J. Sullivan, Colin F. LePage, Fred Simmons, John A. Michitson and Timothy J. Jordan, and all seeking a seat as one of the four councilors-at-large. Others, looking for one of the newly created ward councilor slots, were Katrina Hobbs-Everett, Ward 2; Devan Ferreira, Ward 3; Kenneth E. Quimby Jr., Ward 4; Michael Morales and Shaun P. Toohey, both Ward 5; and Catherine P. Rogers, Ward 7. On the matter of the budget, candidate Michitson received a laugh from the audience when he jokingly questioned the origin of the question.

Election Central

Haverhill Democrats Rank Their Local Election Picks During Saturday Straw Poll

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Haverhill Democrats picked their favorites for local elected office during a mostly-for-fun straw poll Saturday during the Roz McKeon Annual Breakfast. The unscientific poll, conducted by the Haverhill Democratic City Committee and obviously favoring members, gave 96% of the vote to fellow Democrat Melinda E. Barrett, city councilor and candidate for mayor, over rival Guy E. Cooper, a Republican. For councilor at large, breakfast attendees chose Thomas J. Sullivan, 82%; John A. Michitson, 78%; Timothy J. Jordan, 51%; Fred A. Simmons, 35%; and Colin F. LePage, 27%. Jordan and LePage are unenrolled. In ward council races, Ward 1, Ralph T. Basiliere polled 98% to Republican rival Alexander R. Veras, who also withdrew from the race, but whose name will remain on the ballot.

Election Central

Firefighters Endorse Haverhill Mayoral, City Council Candidates who Support Staffing, More

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Haverhill Firefighters Local 1011 have named their slate of candidates the union endorses for mayor and City Council. The union recommends one person for mayor and six others for City Council. Local 1011 President Timothy Carroll told WHAV why these candidates rose to the top. “They stand with our issues. They stand with the issues that are important to the citizens of Haverhill.

Election Central

Haverhill Democratic City Committee Puts Out Last Call to Breakfast Saturday

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The Haverhill Democratic City Committee is putting out the last call for the public to hear Governor’s Councilor Eileen Duff, meet candidates for local office and take part in a straw poll. Duff, who is running for Southern Essex District Register of Deeds next year, will be honored as the Haverhill Democratic City Committee’s Distinguished Democrat during the Roz McKeon Annual Breakfast Saturday, Oct. 14, from 10-11:30 a.m., at Maria’s Restaurant, Galleria Banquet Room, 85 Essex St., Haverhill. Duff has served on the Massachusetts Governor’s Council since being elected in 2012 and is being honored for her tireless efforts on behalf of the Democratic Party and the City of Haverhill.  Democratic candidates in the upcoming municipal election for mayor, City Council and School Committee, have also been invited to say a few words and all candidates will be recognized. The Committee will also be conducting its popular straw poll for the Tuesday, Nov.

Election Central

Campaign News: Barrett, Michitson Events; Diaz Enters School Race; Pfeil Praises Modular Classrooms

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With Haverhill’s final election less than a month off, candidates are visiting with voters and staging events. Mayoral candidate and City Councilor Melinda E. Barrett and City Councilor John A. Michitson, a candidate for one of the four at-large City Council seats, are having events tonight and tomorrow. Barrett is having a “Taco Tuesday with Melinda,” tonight from 6-9 p.m., at the American Legion Post 4, 1314 N. Main St., Haverhill. The event features state Sens. Barry R. Finegold and Pavel Payano, state Reps.

Election Central

Ward 1’s Veras Suspends Campaign for Health Reasons; Sought Minority-Majority Representation

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Alex Veras, who advocated for decades for neighborhood representation, will have to sit out his own run for Haverhill ward councilor because of illness. While his name remains on the ballot for Ward 1, Veras notified Haverhill City Clerk Kaitlin M. Wright last week that he is suspending his campaign. He tells WHAV he recently endured surgery to remove tumors from his jawbone and throat area which affects his ability to speak for long lengths of time. “So far, the prognosis is good. I’ll survive this.

Election Central

Haverhill Recount Confirms Preliminary Mayoral Election Result and Confidence in Local Democracy

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Haverhill’s mayoral recount Wednesday made little difference in the preliminary election result, but appeared to have strengthened confidence in how local elections are managed. City Councilor Melinda E. Barrett maintained her commanding, nearly 4-1 lead over School Committee member Scott W. Wood Jr., adding 10 votes for a revised total of 3,888 votes. Wood lost a vote, now totaling 1,032 votes, while retired police officer Guy E. Cooper gained one for a total of 1,024. Cooper, who asked for the recount, thanked poll workers and city clerk’s office calling them “top notch.”

“We saw democracy—number one—happen right in front of us today. It was a good turnout and, again, there were some issues here and there, but nothing big, and they were solved right away,” he said.