W. Springfield to pick mayor

WEST SPRINGFIELD - Whether the only person to serve as the city's mayor will continue to serve, or make way for a successor, is the key decision facing voters here today.

Also in the hands of voters are six contested seats on the City Council, six seats on the School Committee, and six yes-or-no answers on changes to the city charter and to the new Community Preservation Act.

There are four polling sites, each serving voters of two of the city's eight precincts. Voting will take place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The key race is between Mayor Edward J. Gibson, who has held the office since it was created nine years ago when the town became a city; and Councilor-at-Large Paul H. Boudo, who also has served on the council all nine years since the transition.

For council-at-large seats, there are eight candidates, including four incumbents, with five available seats.

The incumbents running to remain on the council, in the order they are listed on the ballot, are Vernon T. Coleman, Gerard B. Matthews, Kathleen A. Bourque and Robert M. Mancini.

Challenging to get one of the available seats are, also in ballot order, Jill Fortier-Withee, Michael A. Murdzia, George R. Kelly and Brian J. Griffin.

Of the four district council seats, only one is being contested, that of District 2. Challengers for the District 2 seat are Linda Maria Powell and Caroline M. Murray. The district consists of precincts 3 and 4.

The current holders of the seats in districts 1, 3 and 4 are all running for re-election but are unopposed. They are Angus M. Rushlow in District 1, Michael J. Finn District 3, and John R. Sweeney in District 4.

For School Committee, there are seven candidates for six seats, leaving only one loser. Vying, in ballot order, are incumbents Carmino J. Santaniello Jr., Joseph Foresi Jr., Nancy M. Farrell, Kathleen A. Alevras, Patricia A. Garbacik, and Daniel G. Sullivan. The sole challenger, a former member of the committee, is Peter O. Andrew.

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