CAMPAIGN 2005: It’s hard to imagine that people are already beginning to consider the political implications of April ’05, but, alas, it is true. Early as it is, there will be an interesting race for the Selectmen’s seat. There are two seats up for grabs. Paul Gallagher, who was elected in the January Special Election that occurred after Richard Cretinon’s resignation, will seek re-election. Paul’s seat is only good until the end of what would have been Cretinon’s term of office, in this case, April of ’05. Paul will certainly run again. He has been an effective leader during the last four months and was recently named Vice-Chair of the Board. Richard Kenney’s term will also expire in ’05 and all the signs point to the quest for a third term. Dick has mellowed of late and is popular among seniors. Now that’s the easy part. There are two available seats and two incumbents ready to reclaim them. Ahhh, now for the fun part. Who will oppose these guys? There was a "FinCom Connection" at work in January and April that had extensions leading up to ’05. The story goes that Melanie Meeker would run in January, Jean Naumann in April and Frank Basler next year. Rumor has it that Frank jumped the gun and announced early, altering the procession of candidates. Meeker lost to Gallagher in January and Basler to Kelleher last month. Where that leaves Naumann is speculation. Our guess is that she is no longer in the big picture. Meeker and Basler were strong candidates, but didn’t deliver. Whether the power elite gives Basler another shot next year is up in the air. Basler has virtually dropped out of sight since the election and sources say he was deeply disappointed with the results. There is some early speculation that Tom Calter, who had been quite active behind the scenes for both Meeker and Basler, may step out to essentially show ‘em how it’s done and break the chain of losses. Calter is a former FinCom member and sits on the Regional School Committee. Of course, you can never rule out a total newcomer; look at Joe Kelleher, who knew him prior to January?

Let’s now take a peek at the next tussle, that being a five year, that’s right, five year seat on the Planning Board. Ed King is the next guy up and he will surely face opposition. We don’t know yet who that challenger will be but we know who it won’t be. Sources tell the Ringside Team that Planning Board Alternate Penny Svenson, who unsuccessfully sought a full seat last month, will not run against King and be content to remain an Alternate. That in itself is very interesting, but we’ll let that one go for the moment. One thing you can bank on though is a race.

If you had asked Sewer Commissioner Garry Monahan six months ago if he would seek re-election, he would have laughed at the notion. What with the addition of Alan Gifford and Elaine Fiore to the Commission, we think we may see a re-energized Garry. If not, wouldn’t it be a hoot to see a classic showdown, yes, a one-on-one clash of the titans…we are, of course, talking about David Fitzgerald and Mauro Mazzilli. Scalpers would be selling Candidate’s Night seats for that show.

JOEL MICHAUD, an upset winner for Planning Board last month, found out quickly the price of fame. Zoning Enforcement Officer Paul Armstrong received an anonymous letter (one was also sent to Ringside) as a concerned neighbor, complaining that Michaud was running a large scale shed business from his property with noise, dust and increased truck traffic upsetting the quite enjoyment of the neighborhood. The letter was unsigned for fear of retaliation. Well, we looked into it and found that the Michaud’s are building a house. A foundation was poured and there has been an increase in traffic because of the construction. As far as the business, it operates as a matter of right. There you go Joel, the price of glory. Last time we looked Michaud is a direct abutter to Southeastern. Wonder how the neighbor has survived that mess throughout the years?

BOOK WORM: Congratulations to Paul Barry who was sworn in earlier this month as an elected member of the Library Trustees. Paul had pulled papers for and ran for other elected positions, but in the end, it was the four (4) votes he received as a write-in candidate for the uncontested seat that got Paul elected, and at no expense.

CRAZE BEACH: We really do hate to be naysayers, and it does drive us a little bit crazy to see that after two seasons, the condition of the beach is not further along. It was a nice little turnout on the Sunday Grand Opening but we expected more, considering the time frame and the money. Still a large mound of dirt, rock laden soils, blotchy grass and no grass. The playground area is nice and the snack shack is terrific but the beach and grassy areas are far from done. Enough said before we say something that…

FINCOM CALL: Moderator Fran Hoeg is still looking for people to come forward for Finance Committee membership. She told us there is one immediate opening with several others expected. The expected openings would be for replacing Elaine Fiore, who won a sewer seat, and John LaBrache, who won the Treasurer’s job. Fran feels it would be difficult to do both and there could be issues of conflict. They each remain, at least for the time being. Drop Fran Hoeg a line at 394 Elm Street if you are interested in serving on a very important committee.

BREWSTER AVENUE is that paper street that is the hotbed of activity down at L. Knife & Son. It has been part of the buffer zone that separates the beer distribution plant from its neighbors. It was the same paper street that suffered the loss of trees at the hands of the Knife braintrust. Well, guess what? The paper street shows up on the Phase II Sewer Project map as scheduled for…are you holding on…for gravity sewer installations. The Sewer Commission engineering company of Camp, Dresser & McKee (C.D.M.) had better get on the stick. You don’t sewer paper streets. The map also shows a paper street called Lower Hillcrest Road as being sewered. We think not. In addition, C.D.M.’s map shows that Schofield Road is still not showing up for sewerage, even though the street shows up on the Assessor’s list of streets to be sewered. Sewer Commission Vice-Chair Alan Gifford said there is a need to get all town agencies and resources on the same page. Yup, that needs to be done.

JERRY SHEEHAN, the big boss at L. Knife should fully understand the value of a treed buffer zone. Many of you may already know that Jerry has quite a spread on Route 106 in Plympton near the Halifax town line. Guess what separates his farm from the busy vehicular traffic on 106? Trees, some of which we understand came from the Knife site. The lesson here is, what’s good for the goose is not good for the gander. Sheehan enjoys in Plympton, the buffer that no longer exists in Kingston.

SIGN LANGUAGE: We couldn’t help but notice this sign up at Pilgrim Auto Sales. Far be it from the Ringside Observers to pass up the reasons behind its posting. Our first thought was that some poor guy came back from Iraq only to learn he was jilted. Not the case. It seems a local restaurateur took an extended trip to Italy. Upon his return to Kingston, he received the awful news; the romance was kaput, over, finis. Hey, Johnny V., such is life; wounds heal quickly when you’re young. It’s nothing a plate of pasta and a cold beer won’t make better.

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