Thursday, January 11, 2007 Older Editions

Wealth of candidates

Perhaps the death of small-town democracy has been greatly exaggerated. It's been a long time since Andover had an election season like this year's is shaping up to be. This year's election is promising to offer residents significantly different candidates for the three major races: selectmen, School Committee and Town Meeting moderator.

We hope that each of the declared candidates does run, and that other qualified candidates consider joining them. If each of the declared candidates runs for office, all three races will offer both established town officials and interested outsiders. A forum at 7 p.m. tonight, Thursday, at Town Offices offers people more information about how to run.

Moderator Jim Doherty's decision to step down after nearly three decades has left that race wide open. Four candidates are interested in the position, including former School Committee member Eric Nadworny, current School Committee member David Samuels, Planning Board member Sheila Doherty and political newcomer Kenneth Ozoonian.

With 10-year Selectmen John Hess calling it quits, incumbent Alex Vispoli will face three challengers for two selectmen seats. They are former candidate Joseph Leone, longtime and outspoken town-government watcher Mary Carbone and former Finance and School Committee member Don Robb.

Another outspoken resident, Robert Coffill, will challenge incumbents Deb Silberstein and Richard Collins for School Committee.

True, no one has taken out papers to run for Housing Authority, and we hope that will change.

Still, this year is shaping up as one when few will be able to say they didn't really have much of a choice at the ballot box. That's good news for Andover.