...and the 2010 School Board Race Kicks Off!

By the 5:00 pm deadline this evening, FOUR sets of nomination papers were turned in for school board. Of course...who knows...maybe John Whalen will up the ante on his penchant for deadline violations and accept papers late from some heretofore unknown candidate.

Coming as no surprise, the three incumbents (Caren Diedrich, Jim McCourt, and Al Slane) all submitted their nomination papers. We wonder if McCourt had his papers left at the Beans and Cream counter as he did last time.

The fourth candidate is none other than John Welke, who was unsuccessful as a write-in candidate last year, although he created quite a buzz within the community and managed to entice over 800 people to write his name in on the ballot. That's an incredible number.

There are 3 seats and 4 candidates, so there will be no primary. Our bet is that all three of the incumbents are a little nervous tonite. This time they face the formidable challenger Welke with his name ON the ballot. Welke has only served to strengthen his candidacy through his recent appointment as the school board's citizen representative for the Facilities, Technology, and Transportation (FTT) committee. He also serves as the Town of Bristol's liaison to the school board.

Next Monday night, the candidates will draw for the order in which their names appear on the ballot. Let the games begin!