by Josh Resnek
All eyes and ears, every element of the city’s heated political rumor mill, and even among the knowing city hall insiders, the Ward 6 contest is taking shape and form.
It will prove to be the race to watch.
The candidates and from whom they gather their political strength is at play.
At risk – absolutely nothing – except for pride and some added clout at city hall for the mayor and for Al Lattanzi if he can win.
Lattanzi is the first timer hoping to unseat the incumbent Michael Mclaughlin.
If Lattanzi is unable to perform an upset, he returns to his hard ware store in Main Street.
McLaughlin, if he defeats Lattanzi as he is saying he is going to do, would likely return to a city council where his stature will have risen by several marks for such a performance against so powerful and connected an opponent.
McLaughlin’s signatures were certified about 48 hours after he took out his nomination papers.
Lattanzi is still gathering his signatures.
He has been seen campaigning in the ward.
McLaughlin appears unphased. He remains determined.
“I worked hard to get my signatures. I talked with my people, the voters of Ward 6. I love talking with the voters and they love talking with me…and supporting me,” McLaughlin told reporters.
In the at-large council race only three candidates have had their signatures certified.
Councilors at large Mike Marchese and Wayne Matewsky have had their signatures certified.
A first time candidate, James J. Levecchio of Oliver Street has also been certified.
Eight additional candidates remain to have their signatures certified.
If all 8 are certified this will set off a primary race. The at-large race will likely prove the notion that not much ever changes – yet it is worthy of repeating that nothing lasts forever, not even at Everett City Hall.
Matewsky appears to have forever lasting power. He will likely top the ticket, again.
He remains one of the city’s most durable, popular and well known political figures here.
The same accolades can be heaped upon former Mayor John Hanlon and Mike Marchese, both also councilors at large.
They are well known and durable. They epitomize the old line – and there is very little weakness or cracks in the dam of the old line this time around.
Matewsky, Marchese and Hanlon all get seats if everything is equal.
The remaining two spots will be fought for between the remaining 8 candidates – if all 8 get their names on the ballot.
Councilors Peter Napolitano, Richard Dell Isola and Stephen Simonelli are all well known, longtime city hall figures with solid bases.
They will definitely be on the ballot.
Napolitano and Dell Isola were separated by less than ten votes in the last election. If we look at the last election as an indication of what might occur in this election, we know this – these two have bases that have not changed. In other words, when all is said and done and the votes are counted, these two will be within touching distance of one another.
Simonelli is running at-large rather than continuing in Ward 2 because of a change in residency.
Simonelli has great name recognition throughout the city, comes from a large family, and has strong core voter loyalty.
Can he score a at large seat?
Does he score a seat at the expense of Napolitano and or Dell Isola?
Hard to predict.
He could very easily upset one or the other and gain himself a seat. The big question, what effect, if any, do the remaining candidates have on the final outcome?
Can a newcomer get elected?
Yes.
This is possible but unlikely.
In Ward 2, Jason Marcus, facing Stephanie Martins, has been certified.
Marcus is already out campaigning.
Martins has been busy organizing and preparing a campaign.
This race is a classic example of old versus knew. Councilor Anthony DiPierro appears to be getting a free ride in Ward 3.
This is what everyone in politics wants – a free ride. It is a nice place to be.
Ward 4 candidate Jimmy Tri Le of Westover Street has had his signatures certified.
He will be facing longtime councilor Leo McKinnon.
McKinnon’s signatures will be certified.
This will be another race highlighting the old versus the new.
Neither Councilor Rosa DiFlorio or her opponent Vivian Thuc Nguyen of Linden Street have filed their signatures for certification.
Three candidates for School Committee have returned their signatures for certification.
Ward 5 Committeeman Marcony Almeida Barros, at large candidate School Committeeman Bernie D’Onofrio and Ward 2 candidate Joe LaMonica have all submitted their signatrures. All three have been certified.