Special election for Ward 6 School Committee, Tuesday, December 6

[ron_newman]

We're having a special election for Ward 6 School Committee next Tuesday, because Paul Bockelman resigned in order to become Town Manager in Amherst. You have to really drill down on the city's website to even know this is happening. I've seen one or two official paper signs around town announcing it.

There's only one candidate on the ballot, Paula O'Sullivan. I know nothing about her, as I've never encountered her or her campaign in any way. Any further information would be appreciated.

Comments

I met Paula during her campaign

[pekmez.livejournal.com]

You may want to read Paula's bio from her website under about. http://www.paulagosullivan.org

I chatted with her when she was collecting signatures. I had seen her face before but don't know her well.

Short summary - professional experience in education, current parent of several elementary and middle school age kids in SPS, willing to get involved and step into outgoing committee member Paul Bockelman's shoes.

In my book a candidate who seems to have honest motivations and a good head on their shoulders in an uncontested election deserves my vote... Plus voting even in an odd special election seems like an important reinforcement of the democratic process. :)

[nomacmac.livejournal.com]

I have known Paula for more than 10 years. Our kids go to the same school and we have been friends since we first met in a book club that we both joined. We've discussed schools and education on many, many occasions and I've found her to be very well informed and articulate. If I could pick one 'dream candidate' for the job, it would be Paula. She was a teacher with 'Teach for America', has worked for the Dept of Education and now works in curriculum development for the Arlington Public Schools. A few people that I know that were considering running for the position decided not to because they knew that Paula was the right person for the job. I think this is why she is running unopposed. I have no doubt that she will be a great addition to the school committee.

[jlauspitz.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the reminder and the link. It got me out to vote at 12:15. I was the 11th ballot cast in precinct 3.

[zachinaround.livejournal.com]

My girlfriend and I went out to vote in precinct 1 and we were the 50th and 51st ballots cast as of ~7pm, respectively. Everything I read about her I liked so I thought it might be a nice show of civil service to at least get to the voting location that's barely a half mile from us at the Kennedy school. Kind of hard to believe voting turnout was that low despite her running unopposed. I didn't think that the turnout would be that low.

[ron_newman]

Here are the unofficial results. Only one more voter came to your precinct after you. I was voter #48 at 6:30 pm.

(And two people cast blank ballots!)

[zachinaround.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the posting the results. I was wondering what the total turnout was...

[ron_newman]

Three polling places, each open 13 hours, with a total of 141 votes. Which means a voter about every 16 minutes at each polling place.