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Gotta love this - In my town, Republicans gained a seat in two of the three boards, lost two on the Board of Aldermen (a net wash), but check out the great headline in the NH Register:
http://www.nhregister.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15541413&BRD=1281&PAG=461&dept_id=517514&rfi=6
] Milford Democrats’ strategy pays off
Register Staff
11/09/2005
MILFORD — The Democratic Party’s strategy of not running a mayoral candidate and instead focusing on bringing balance to several prominent boards and commissions seems to have resulted in some gains for the party.
As of press time several races were too close to call, although unchallenged Republican Mayor James L. Richetelli Jr. had earned a third term of office, as had unchallenged Democratic Town Clerk Alan Jepson.
However, with several races still in the balance it was clear that Democrats made gains on the Board of Aldermen. Incumbents Ward Willis, R-2, and Peter Vita, R-4, lost.
Incumbent Thomas Beirne, R-5, and Robert Nunno, D-5, were locked in a 5th District race that will be recounted.
Democratic Town Chairman Richard Smith and other party officials let out a collective sigh around 10 p.m. as absentee ballot totals helped give small leads to two Republican candidates who were trailing Democrats in initial counts.
Despite the losses, Smith said, "we broke the stranglehold," and the Democratic Party has helped bring more balance to city government. Smith mapped out the Democrats’ local election strategy by deciding to bypass running a mayoral candidate, and focus on a theme of bringing balance back to city government.
Prior to Tuesday’s vote Republicans enjoyed a 10-5 majority on the Board of Aldermen, an 8-2 advantage on Planning and Zoning Board, and a 7-3 margin on the Board of Education. The minority party is guaranteed at least five members on the Board of Aldermen.
However, Tuesday’s election reduced the Republican majority on the Board of Aldermen to 8-7, while on the school board the margin increased to 8-2, and on zoning Republicans now have nine out of the 10 members.
"They can’t push us around on the Board of Aldermen," Smith said to cheers from a room full of supporters. "There was a glimmer of hope but I think the one thing we can say is that the people of Milford have spoken and they want balance."
Republican Town Committee Chairman Jack Fowler said he was pleased with the school board and zoning votes, but was disappointed with losing two aldermanic seats.
However, Fowler said it was clearly the will of the voters. "It’s what they want." Fowler added both parties will be able to work together.
"There is much more that unites than divides us," Fowler said.
"This is a new chapter in Milford’s history," said Richetelli, while standing on a chair at the Stonebridge Restaurant. "Our hearts are sad for some but we still have a great team."
Richetelli vowed to work with the Democrats on the Board of Aldermen, and said his party has always worked in a bipartisan manner.
Smith said one of the biggest changes is that Republicans can not curtail discussion on issues facing the aldermen.
State Rep. Richard Roy, D-Milford, said voter turnout was exceedingly low, and that may be attributed to Republican voters staying home because they knew Richetelli was unopposed. He said he was pleased with the results.
"Government in Milford will be shared," Roy said.
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