Overview of the 1st District City Council race

Two years ago, voters in the 1st District unexpectedly opted to return Republican Mike Rimcoski to the City Council seat he lost during 1993’s Democratic landslide.
They also returned Democrat Art Ward to the council, retaining the position he’d snatched from Rimcoski years earlier.
This time around, Ward’s out of the picture because he’s aiming to capture the city’s top job instead. But Rimcoski is no longer a long shot.
There are two Democrats, newcomers Cliff Block and Rich Kilby, who are taking aim at him for the opportunity to represent the northeastern section of the city. One of the three contenders – whoever gets the fewest votes Tuesday – will come up short.
The funny thing is that Kilby and Block, who ran unsuccessfully in 2005, each appear to have more in common with Rimcoski than they do with each other.
From the beginning, Kilby backed Ward in the Democratic mayoral primary while Block was among the biggest cheerleaders for Ellen Zoppo, who lost to Ward.
The three men pose a challenge for voters to sort through as they try to determine who will best represent the district for the next two years.
Rimcoski said that no matter what happens at the polls, "I've had two good years.”
He said in the past term, he helped resolve the status of Kern Park, changed the costly lockout policy that had fire trucks going to help residents locked out of their cars and more.
Giving him another term, Rimcoski said, would allow him to continue pushing for more accountability at City Hall and let him advocate for lower taxes.
Kilby, a wetlands commissioner who is equally tough on taxes, said he is running "for you" because "I want to be your voice at City Hall."
Block said the city is at turning point, with the Route 72 extension getting underway, the mall coming down and opportunities showing at every turn.
"The stars are in line," Block said, and they should spark "interest, vitality and pride" in city.
Kilby said the Route 72 extension will make the city more prosperous and bolster its tax base.
"The thing we need the most is business,” said Rimcoski. “We need it desperately."
Rimcoski said he'll "push like heck" to get the new industrial park up and running.
"The BDA have to get off their duff and get moving on this," Rimcoski said.
He said he is also keen to lure more companies to town by marketing the city better.
With so much happening, "Bristol's in a great position," Block said. He said the grants program for economic development "is giving Bristol the edge" in attracting new companies.
Block, a zoning commissioner, said the city has to provide services to make it attractive, even if that pushes up taxes.
"We have to walk that fine line" between keeping taxes down and providing for crucial services, Block said. "I think we can keep taxes to a livable level."
Both Kilby and Rimcoski favor a property tax freeze.
"We have to be solid and firm" and allow "no extra spending," Kilby said.
City councilors serve part-time for about $10,000 annually. There are three council districts in town, each represented by two council members, who can be from the same political party.

Key issues
School plan – Kilby said he is "totally against” the K-8 proposal or new schools, while Block favors them. Rimcoski is skeptical of the expense involved.
City manager – Switching to a city manager system isn’t needed, said Rimcoski and Block. "It's adding another layer of government,” Block said. Kilby said, though, that “it might be time” to have a professional at the helm.
Hoppers – All three candidates said the city park should remain as open space.
Mall – All three of the council hopefuls said they want to see the 17-acre site revitalized as quickly as possible.

District 1 polling places
Edgewood School
Northeast Middle School
Mountain View School


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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com