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Williamstown Voters Head to PollsBy Jenn Atwell - May 13, 2008
iBerkshires Intern
 | | George Sarrouf and John Holden do some last-minute campaigning this afternoon.[Photos by Jenn Atwell] |
WILLIAMSTOWN — Candidates for the Planning Board said they were hoping for a great turnout early on Tuesday. The three races for Planning Board were the only ones on the ballot.
"What a wonderful day it is to be holding the first-ever Planning Board elections," said incumbent George Sarrouf, who is running for the three-year seat. Sarrouf was standing in the sun next to one of small campaign signs stuck in the grass outside Williamstown Elementary School. With him was fellow board member John Holden, who's running for the two-year seat.
Town Clerk Mary Kennedy said 607 of the town's more than 4,300 registered voters had been to the polls by about 2:30.
"It's not as big of a turnout as I had hoped for; I believe that if the elections were to choose selectmen the turn out would have been much higher," she said. "So far we've only have 607 registered voters appear. There is, however, five more hours to go. We'll be here till 8 p.m. tonight."
There are five candidates running for Planning Board: incumbent Richard DeMayo, five-year seat, who is unopposed; Chris Winters and Nicholas Wright are battling for the four-year seat; Andrew Hogeland and Sarrouf are both running for the three-year seat, and Anne McCallum and Holden are both trying for the two-year seat. Last but not least, Patrick Dunlavey is running for the one-year seat unopposed.
By early this afternoon, only about 600 people had voted. |
"It's best to have at least 1 1/2 years of experiences to fairly grasp the town," Sarrouf said. "I, unlike other runners here today, am retired. Therefore I'll be able to put more heart and dedication into my work if elected. I'm a very dedicated person who would like to complete the five-year seat."
Voters are choosing one person for each staggered seat on the five-person board; after this year, one five-year seat will be up for election annually.
Sarrouf said his challenger, Andrew Hogeland had not yet been there but hoped that he would be making an appearance soon. Sarrouf said if he did not win this year, chances are he won't run again but all that mattered was that he gave it his best this time around.
Holden said he was having a good time chatting up voters arriving at the polls.
"I'm very pleased with the voter turnout and that the weather was great," he said. "I didn't actually plan on running, I'm not a politician and if I am to lose this year who knows if I'll run again. We'll just have to wait and see what next time brings us."
"I'm sure the candidates will be holding their breath until the winners are posted on the official Web site later this evening," said Kennedy.
You can also check iBerkshires later this evening for all the results. |
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