Election Central

Haverhill City Council Candidates to Take Questions From High School Students at Oct. 16 Forum

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Candidates for Haverhill City Council will find themselves taking tough questions and being grilled by Haverhill High School students during an October forum. The City Council Forum, open to the public, is conducted by AP Government students of instructor Shaun Ashworth. Ashworth succeeds Tom Jordan, who retired last year as course instructor. “I think this is an important event that we hold because it allows our students to interact with our elected officials about the issues that concern them the most. It’s also a great opportunity for our local leaders to hear from the next generation of voters and what’s on their mind.

Election Central

Haverhill Councilors Back Ballot Questions That Could Limit Candidates Holding Several Jobs

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The full City Council, as expected, ratified two non-binding ballot questions asking voters to weigh in on whether a candidate should be allowed to run for, or hold, two elected offices at the same time. As WHAV reported first late last month, a subcommittee recommended placing the questions before voters. Those sprung from a proposal by Council President Timothy J. Jordan, Council Vice President John A. Michitson and Councilor Melissa J. Lewandowski to ask voters opinions about a charter change to prohibit someone from running for more than on elected position in the same election cycle. Haverhill City Clerk Kaitlin M. Wright read the two questions at Tuesday’s meeting. “Shall the following home rule petition providing that no person shall hold the office of mayor, city councilor or School Committee member while simultaneously holding any other elected or appointed office of the city, or holding a position with the city for which the salary or compensation is payable out of the city treasury be adopted and forwarded to the General Court for enactment?”

The second question goes a bit further, asking voters if a person should be able to run for two or more offices in the same election cycle.

Election Central

Haverhill Mayoral Candidate Wood Withdraws Citing ‘Falsehoods;’ Cooper Joins Barrett on Fall Ballot

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Mayoral candidate and sitting 20-year School Committee member Scott W. Wood Jr., leaves public life at the end of the year after choosing by Monday’s deadline to end his mayoral run. Wood’s withdrawal, followed by his preliminary election elimination from a Ward 4 School Committee post, represents his precipitous fall since June when allegations resurfaced of racist and misogynist conduct while he was working as a police officer. The revelations came to light in Wood’s own suit against the city, challenging the loss of police jobs in Haverhill in 2021 and Wenham in 2022. “I look forward to addressing and clearing my name from the baseless accusations and falsehoods that have circulated. My commitment to Haverhill has never wavered, and it never will,” Wood said in a statement.

Election Central

Official Haverhill Preliminary Election Vote Counts to be Decided Tuesday by Board of Registrars

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Haverhill’s Board of Registrars meets Tuesday to consider provisional ballots cast during this week’s preliminary election and approve the final results. The outcome will likely have no effect on mayoral frontrunner Melinda E. Barrett, who garnered an updated 3,891 votes Tuesday, but could lead to a recount to decide the second name to appear on November’s final city ballot. Scott W. Wood Jr. placed a distant second, coming in at 1,036 votes, but only 10 votes behind him was Guy E. Cooper. According to Secretary of State William F. Galvin’s office, residents who may have fallen off local voting rolls may cast a provisional ballot, but any votes won’t be counted until voter registration status is confirmed. With few votes between them, final election results could change.

Election Central

Barrett Tops Mayoral Ticket 3,877 Votes to Wood’s 1,031; Cooper Considers Recount Over 8 Votes

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Haverhill City Councilor Melinda E. Barrett was far and away the top vote-getter in yesterday’s mayoral contest, topping School Committee member Scott W. Wood Jr. by a nearly four to one margin. Barrett, in unofficial results, garnered 3,877 votes to Wood’s 1,031. Wood’s hold on second place—and therefore a ballot spot in November—remains fragile, however, with third place finisher Guy E. Cooper only eight votes behind. Cooper said he is considering a recount. Barrett thanked Haverhill voters for their support.

Election Central

Podcast: All Five Haverhill Mayoral Candidates Answer Questions About Pressing Issues

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All five candidates running to become Haverhill’s next mayor have spoken directly to listeners during a series of live interviews with Win Damon, host of WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program. All interviews, running about 10 minutes each, are now available to be heard on demand at WHAV.net and all popular podcast sites. Arranged in ballot order, the candidates are Melinda E. Barrett, Scott W. Wood Jr., Guy E. Cooper, Debra M. Campanile and George Eleftheriou. Instead of generic questions, WHAV asked each candidate on Tuesday’s preliminary election ballot about specific and pressing issues. They were asked the following questions as time allowed:

For years, financial constraints forced the city put off buying equipment, building improvements and construction of new schools and a Broadway-area fire station.

Election Central

Campaign Notebook: U.S. Rep. Trahan Endorses Barrett for Haverhill Mayor

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Congresswoman Lori Trahan is backing City Councilor Melinda E. Barrett for Haverhill’s next mayor. The endorsement comes on Haverhill’s first day of early voting in advance of next week’s preliminary election. “Melinda Barrett is a tireless advocate and relentless fighter for hardworking families across Haverhill. I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with Melinda to make unprecedented investments in the city’s infrastructure, public schools and local economy. I’m endorsing Melinda Barrett for Mayor because she’s prepared to hit the ground running on day one to continue making Haverhill an even better place to live, work and raise a family,” Trahan said in a press release.

Election Central

Campaign Notebook: Haverhill Chamber Plans Coffee with Haverhill Mayoral Candidates

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Residents have an opportunity to mingle with Haverhill’s mayoral candidates during, what is described as, “a casual coffee where you can talk to the candidates in a calm atmosphere.”

The Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce said it invited all five candidates appearing on Haverhill’s upcoming preliminary election ballot to participate. They are, in ballot order, City Councilor Melinda E. Barrett, School Committee member Scott W. Wood Jr., retired Patrolman Guy E. Cooper, Debra Campanile and George Eleftheriou. “This is an opportunity for voters to meet the candidates and make an informed decision when they cast their ballot at the primary on Tuesday, Sept. 12th. Haverhill will have a new mayor for the first time in 20 years so this is a big decision,” said Chamber Vice President Kate Martin.