Terry Parker’s black loafers have taken a beating.
The left shoe has a hole in the sole. The right one has three more, plus another in the back.
But the 3rd District City Council hopeful still aid he’s going to chalk it up as a “sad day when I retire this pair of shoes.”
“These shoes have taken me all over town into homes of strangers, renewal of old acquaintances and some wonderful exchanges of issues local and national,” said Parker, a Democrat.
Whether Parker’s shoes will also take him to next week’s swearing-in ceremony is just one of a number of choices voters will make today, including whether to reelect Mayor Art Ward and who should serve on the six-person council.
The polls are open until 8 p.m.
Parker is just one of many candidates who have spent many weeks knocking on doors, making calls and otherwise trying to round up votes.
Though the outcome of the mayoral race, which features Republican Mary Alford and independent Gary Lawton trying to knock off Ward, remains the big question, control of the City Council could hang in the balance today.
In a recent Facebook entry, Republican Richard Scarola predicted success: “Going to roll some heads here and at least split the council or pick up the majority.”
Republicans control two of the six seats. Since two Democrats are stepping down, both in the 3rd District, the GOP has a shot at winning a majority for the first time since 1991.
Also on the ballot are races for the treasurer’s post, the Board of Assessment Appeals and constables, as well as a routine economic development referendum that voters have overwhelmingly endorsed in the past.
In the 1st District, Democrats Cliff Block and Kevin Fuller face Republicans Mike Rimcoski and Eldianne Bishop. Block and Rimcoski are incumbents.
In the 2nd District, Republicans Ken Cockayne and Richard Scarola are taking on Democrats Kevin McCauley and Allen Marko. McCauley and Cockayne are incumbents.
In the 3rd District, Democrats Kate Matthews and Parker are squaring off against Republicans Derek Czenczelewski and David Mills. All are newcomers.
In the race for the part-time treasurer’s slot, first-term incumbent Democrat Bill Veits hopes to defeat Republican newcomer Rose Parenti.
Among the candidates, there are six women on the ballot out of 27 municipal candidates, including Alford, Parenti, Matthews and Bishop. The others are seeking election to minor offices.
For detailed information about the candidates, please see the Press website at bristolpress.com and reporter Steve Collins’ Bristol Blog. Links for sample ballots are also on the blog.
The Democrats plan to gather at Nuchie’s Restaurant after the polls close.
The Republicans are getting together at the Riverside Avenue office of party leader T.J. Barnes, next door to Computer Development Systems.
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
3 comments:
Stafford avenue voting machine not working yet this morning. I had to leave my ballot to be scanned in later. I feel like I dropped my vote into a black hole.
A message to all candidates: you CANNOT put your signs on school property!!!!!!! You know the rules but still you choose to ignore them! I won't vote for law breakers!
I'm surprised Parker didn't get lost.
Post a Comment