Three candidates out of race following nomination deadline in No. Smithfield

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NORTH SMITHFIELD – The field of contenders in local elections thinned this week, with no signed nomination papers returned by three of the individuals who declared their intent to run for town office last month.

Two Town Council candidates, and one of the four original contenders for the town administrator’s seat, did not submit completed papers to the Board of Canvassers before the deadline at noon on Friday, July 10.

According to Town Clerk Lillian Silva Scott, administrator candidate Jason Allard picked up the document, but did not return a signed copy.

That leaves Paul Jones, Paul Zwolenski and Douglas Osier still in the race, and if none of the three hopefuls withdraws their candidacy by the deadline on Monday, July 13, the town is on track to hold a primary election to narrow the field in September.

Current Administrator Gary Ezovski announced earlier this year that he would not seek a third term.

In the contest for Town Council, two of the twelve initial candidates are out of the running: Claudinne Finnegan and Christopher Chamberland.

The change leaves ten competing for the five-member board, including incumbent Council President Paul Vadenais, and members Teresa Bartomioli and Claire O’Hara. Others hoping to secure a seat to move forward in the process this week include Kimberly Alves, John Beauregard, Stephen Corriveau, Cheryl Marandola, Ana Parsons, Christopher Simpkins, and Megan Staples.

According to Town Charter, “if the number of candidates certified for any elective office does not exceed twice the number of places to be filled at the election, then no primary election shall be held for such office.”

There will be no contest, meanwhile, for the three seats open on the School Committee, where incumbent members Margaret Votta, Jean Meo and James Lombardi all submitted signed papers.

NRI NOW is offering all local candidates the opportunity to discuss their background and platform. Those interest should send biographic information to [email protected]. To see information on those who have already announced their platforms, visit the “politics” tab above.

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2 COMMENTS

  1. Hi Paul.
    All information published by the town of North Smithfield listed the deadline time as noon. I’m not sure if they adjusted that at the last moment under recommendation or advice from state officials. I’m glad to hear that the pandemic did not prevent you or others from submitting completed papers.

  2. Just a point of clarification, Board of Canvassers in Burrillville, Glocester and North Smithfield were open till 4pm today. In your piece you mentioned that the deadline was noon on Friday, July 10th. The deadline as on the nomination papers is Friday, July 10th at 4pm. I dropped off last minute nomination papers from members of my team and I received one electronic nomination paper from a supporter late Thursday evening. To honor their work and the response from supporters who did not feel comfortable attending a signing “party” I submitted these last minute papers. The BOC folks, Town Clerks and everyone at each of the Town Halls were exceptional during these past two weeks providing clarification and needed support all during this process. We did the best we could given the severity of the pandemic and the heightened need for safety and health awareness. The folks at each of the town halls are heroes.

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