Politics & Government

Ceresi, Benson & Carter Drop Election Bids

Three candidates are already out of the running for seats on the town council and school committee.

The pool of candidates for seats on the North Kingstown Town Council and School Committee has just shrunk by three. According to the Board of Canvassers, three candidates failed to hand signatures to get on the ballot for this fall’s election.

Current , did not pick up the necessary forms to submit signatures Ceresi said he filed for town council because he was “seriously considering a run” but wanted to give himself a bit more time to make a decision.

Instead, Ceresi said he hopes to finish his second term on the school committee (set to expire in 2014). However, the results of the November’s election may change that, he adds.

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“Hopefully voters don’t just run out and blindly pull the levers,” said Ceresi, an Independent. “I think if they continue to elect people to the school committee like Bill Mudge who are disruptive and divisive and don’t really offer solutions or get any work done, I will seriously consider resigning.”

Ceresi said he will remain with the committee if voters elect people who “can sincerely work together and get things done, regardless of party.” He was also critical of the behavior of certain members of the school committee and the bickering that occurs at meetings.

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“It’s like a circus,” said Ceresi. “To sit up there and just be embarrassed by the petty bickering that goes on, that’s not something I want to be part of and volunteer what little free time I have in my schedule to.”

There will be at least one new face on the school committee as Democrat Melvoid Benson also failed to return her signatures before the Friday deadline. According to the Board of Canvassers, Benson picked up the necessary forms but did not return them.

Another no-go for this November is Democrat Kenneth Carter – a former longtime state representative who was ousted by Republican Doreen Costa in the 2010 election. Carter had declared his candidacy for the North Kingstown School Committee.

 


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