September 17, 2003

 

McFarlane and Gillis to compete for Ward 1; Hutcheson and Farrell in Ward 6

By KATE SPINNER

Staff Wri

NEWBURYPORT -- David McFarlane will continue to battle, against mainlander Jeremy Gillis, to retain his seat as city councilor in Ward 1.

In Ward 6 Steven Hutcheson -- who narrowly lost election to one of the five at-large posts on the council in 2001 -- will compete against political newcomer and life-long city resident Thomas Farrell in the Nov. 4 general election.

McFarlane and Hutcheson both received the greatest support from voters in their wards, but due to the number of challengers they faced and their fairly small margins of success, the support could shift to their opponents.

In Ward 1, where McFarlane was challenged by two others, he received 279 votes out of 743 cast.

In Ward 6, where Hutcheson competed with three others, he received 201 votes out of 731 cast.

"I came in first," said McFarlane, who opposes the city's current plans to bring water and sewer to Plum Island. "It's good to have competition. Competition is what it's all about."

McFarlane took the lead yesterday in his quest for re-election, but his two challengers also received a lot of support.

Gillis -- who received 247 votes yesterday -- will continue to challenge McFarlane in the Nov. 4 election, with the assistance of Michael Ferrick.

"I'm breathing again," said Ferrick yesterday after the results came in. "I'm relieved."

Gillis said he was not sure what to expect of the voters in his ward.

"I expected it and I didn't expect it," he said of making it through the preliminary. "I thought I had a good turn-out today. My people came through for me."

Ferrick, McFarlane's third challenger, received 199 votes.

He said he was disappointed that he didn't make it to the final election, but he said he and Gillis think alike.

Without pause, Ferrick said he intends to campaign for Gillis' election.

"I would certainly help Jeremy in his campaign. I think he's an up-and-coming young man ...," Ferrick said. "I will do all that I can to help him win the election in Ward 1."

While Ferrick came in third on the mainland, island voters chose him first. On the island, Ferrick received 76 votes, McFarlane received 74, and Gillis received 49.

Steven Hutcheson was elated yesterday that he took the lead in the preliminarily election for the Ward 6 seat. "Awesome!" he said, when he learned that he received 201 votes out the 731 votes cast in his ward.

Thomas Farrell received the second highest number of votes at 182.

The seat was contested by four candidates who have never held elected office in the city. The current ward councilor, Thomas O'Brien, is running for an at-large seat.

The two candidates who made it through the highly contested Ward 6 preliminary said they were very excited to continue their campaign efforts.

"I'm thrilled ... ," said Hutcheson. "I'm very grateful to the voters in Ward 6." He said he believes his involvement in city government over the past two years gave him a leg-up in the election.

When asked why he thought he garnered the most support, he said, "Probably because my previous experience and because I ran last time and probably because I've been trying to keep up with things."

Hutcheson said he has been helping with the strategic land use plan and has also been attending various meetings.

Farrell said he is excited to continue participate in the race for election to the City Council.

"I feel great, excited," he said.

Farrell said he felt confident that he was going to be able to muster enough support in his ward to make it through the preliminary.

"Growing up in the ward, I just know a lot of people in that area," he said, explaining the reasons he thinks he received so much support. "Fortunately these people turned out and helped me move on to the next round."

Patrick Herndon received the third highest degree of support with 160 votes. He could not be reached for comment.

Michelle Robbins received 149 votes. Thanking those who supported her, Robbins did not lament her loss. Rather, she said voter turn-out disappointed her.

City-wide, about 30 percent of voters made it to the polls yesterday.

"I was kind of surprised with the lack of turn-out to the polls ... ," she said. "With so many things going on in this city, it's a shame they didn't come out and vote."


 
 
(This article replicated online with permission of the Newburyport Daily News, an Eagle Tribune Newspaper.)
 
 
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