WESTFIELD — All of the three potential challengers to Mayor Michael McCabe in November’s election have taken out nomination papers for multiple positions. Despite new guidance that they can run in multiple races, none of the three has decided exactly which posts to pursue, though two have ruled out the mayoral race.
The City Council voted on July 6 on a charter amendment stating that no person shall return nomination papers for more than one elected position, nor appear more than once on any municipal election ballot. That had long been the policy enforced by the city clerk, but a ruling from the secretary of the commonwealth’s office earlier this year said there’s nothing in state law prohibiting a candidate from seeking multiple offices on the same ballot. Enforcing such a rule locally requires a vote of the state Legislature to incorporate it into the City Charter.
Westfield nominations close Aug. 1, and Debra O’Malley, a spokesperson for the secretary of the commonwealth, said on July 21 that she would be surprised if the charter change were passed by then.
“In my experience the legislature doesn’t move that quickly,” O’Malley said, adding, “I would be surprised if this even passes before November.”
Current City Councilor Kristen Mello took out papers both for mayor and for her current at-large council seat. She said she has been collecting signatures on both sets of papers.
“If the state Legislature finalizes our charter amendments before Aug. 1, I will make that decision. If not, I believe the voters should have the opportunity to choose between continuing down a path they already know, and trying to improve the direction the city is taking,” she said, hinting at a serious run for mayor.
Jessica Britton took out papers for mayor, Ward 2 councilor, at-large councilor, School Committee and the Light Board. She said last week that she has now ruled out a run for mayor, School Committee or the Light Board. She isn’t sure which of the two City Council races she would pick, if forced to decide.
“I have made a decision to run for City Council. I have been collecting signatures for both,” Britton said.
“I’ve had so much input from Ward 2, from the people that I’ve met going door to door collecting signatures. I think there are a lot of areas that would be great to work on,” she added.
“There’s a lot of pros and cons with both. It’s obviously difficult when you have an incumbent like Ralph Figy. I really do embrace my ward, as well — I’ve lived in it now for four years. I really enjoy helping people and being part of the community,” Britton said.
Andrew Mullen took out papers for mayor, at-large councilor and School Committee. He has also decided against a mayoral run, but is keeping two other options open. Mullen, who describes himself as 37, single and a stay-at-home dad, said he is “putting all my eggs into the City Council and School Committee basket.”
Mullen, who grew up in Westfield, said he is hoping to run for both as long as there is no conflict of interest. He said the School Committee would be his first choice, and council a very strong second.
Asked why he wants to run for office, Mullen said he is hoping that Westfield stays the tolerant and open place he grew up in, and does not follow recent trends in other parts of the country.
“I don’t believe in book bans, book burning; I want kids to be able to learn and experience,” he said.
Mullen sees Westfield at a crossroad.
“I think that what’s happening in other cities around the country — book banning, laws about what teachers can discuss with students — these laws are designed to stifle free speech. Mostly, I’m hoping to help Westfield go down the right path, and not get sidetracked by nonsensical culture wars issues.”
Other newcomers interested in running for the School Committee are Gabriella Michaliszyn and Jeffrey Gunther.
Michaliszyn is an alternative health practitioner and business owner, who said she has had 25 high school-aged foster kids in the past 25 years, as well as her own 21- and 19-year-olds, all of them boys.
“I have had a lot of high school experience with both high schools in Westfield, and some other alternative schools that the foster kids went to,” she said.
Michaliszyn said she homeschooled her own two boys, starting when the oldest was in middle school.
“I’ve been studying teaching methods for quite awhile, and I’d say I’m a natural teacher, not a licensed teacher. I’m concerned about the lack of skills that the high schoolers — not all, but many — have when they’re done with high school, both academically and vocationally.”
Michaliszyn said especially now, there is a very big change in skills caused by the COVID-19 school shutdowns.
“I think we need creativity on how to recover from that,” she said.
Gunther, who has a seven-year-old daughter in Highland Elementary School, said he has spent his whole career in education, having spent five years as a high school science teacher, getting his doctorate in teacher recruitment and retention, and now working in finance and strategy for a large educational nonprofit.
He said having worked all over the country is potentially a benefit.
“I have been able to see how schools all over the country are continuing to evolve to meet the needs of kids and the labor market today. I think that my experience and background can offer a fresh perspective to the committee,” Gunther said, adding that he has spent his whole career making sure students have access to good educational outcomes.
“I am obviously invested by having a child in the school. My set of experiences and perspectives is not one that is well represented on the School Committee right now. I’m hoping to bring a little bit of that expertise to make things better for all students in Westfield,” Gunther said.
The deadline to pull nomination papers is 5 p.m. Friday, July 28. The deadline to return papers, signed, is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1. The last day to object or withdraw from a nomination is Aug. 17, which would also be the day on which a person nominated for multiple seats would have to decide which one to pursue, if the charter change is enacted in time.
Those who return their completed nomination papers become official candidates once the required number of signatures are certified. If a candidate does not return nominating papers, or fewer than 50 eligible voters’ signatures can be certified, that candidate’s name will not be put on the ballot.
For more information, contact Kaitlyn Bruce, Westfield city clerk, at 413-572-6259.