Candidates eyeing the board of selectmen seat left vacant by the August 6 death of Selectman Charles “Lopey” Rich face a tight timeline for the October 5 special town election. Town Clerk Bartley W. Connolly announced that nomination papers must be filed by August 31, requiring candidates to secure the signatures of 50 registered voters. Certified papers must be returned to the town clerk by September 7, with voter registration closing on September 15. The winner of the off-season election will serve the remainder of Mr. Rich’s term through the 1979 annual election.
With the brief moratorium on politicking out of respect for the late selectman coming to a close, several prominent figures have emerged as potential contenders:
- Allan D. Howard, former finance commissioner who was defeated by Mr. Rich in January, is the sole formally announced candidate.
- Thomas A. Riolo, chairman of the planning board, is firmly in the race, while his board colleague Thomas F. Cavanaugh indicated he is “pretty definitely running.”
- Paul Angelo, 30-year-old owner of the Olde Colonial Cafe on Savin Avenue and nephew of School Committee Chairman Richard Joseph, stated he plans to take out nomination papers.
- E. Peter Bamber, finance commissioner, noted that town charter restrictions bar him from simultaneously seeking another elective office without a ruling from town counsel.
- Moderator William J. Plasko remains “completely undecided,” while former selectmen Walter J. Dempsey and Olga Abdallah declined to discuss political plans out of respect for Mr. Rich
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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Norwood Voters to Test Computerized Punch-Card Ballots in State Primary Election-September 12, 1980
Norwood voters will use a new computerized punch-card ballot system provided by Factory Mutual Engineering Company for the upcoming state primary election.
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Town Officials Warn of Disastrous Cuts from Proposed Proposition 2 1/2-August 20, 1980
Facing a potential $3 million budget shortfall, Norwood town officials are mobilizing an educational campaign to warn residents about the severe municipal cuts threatened by Proposition 2 1/2.
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Property Taxes Dominate Norwood’s 1978 Special Election Amid School Committee Recall and Selectman Race-October 23, 1978
Soaring property taxes take center stage in Norwood’s special municipal election, featuring a high-stakes school committee recall, a four-way selectmen race, and a finance commission contest.
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Former Registrar A. Franklin Swift Seeks Reappointment Following Conflict-of-Interest Challenge-October 12, 1978
Former registrar A. Franklin Swift asks selectmen for reappointment after clearing multiple town committee roles following a state law challenge raised by Town Meeting member Kenneth C. Ball.
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League of Women Voters Urges High Turnout for School Committee Recall Election-August 30, 1978
The League of Women Voters calls on Norwood residents to vote in Tuesday’s historic school committee recall election, the first in 30 years.
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State Rep Gregory W. Sullivan Faces Democratic Primary Election Challenge-August 21, 1978
Incumbent State Rep. Gregory W. Sullivan faces a Democratic primary challenge from political newcomer William J. McCarthy in the newly formed 12th Norfolk District covering Norwood and Westwood.
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Citizens’ Group Keeps Recall Threat “On Hold” Awaiting Action on Civic Center Replacement-September 9, 1977
Opposition leaders Ambrose J. Kelly and Jeannette M. Troiano state that a recall petition drive against Norwood selectmen remains an active option if replacement Civic Center plans stall.
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Charles Strumski Retains Norwood Conservation Seat-August 17, 1977
Despite being denied reappointment by the town manager, veteran official Charles Strumski continues to serve the Norwood Conservation Commission.
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Talk of Political “Machine” Scared Voters as Independent Veteran Walter Dempsey Outpaces Challengers-October 8, 1976
Accusations of a localized political machine and municipal cronyism drive Norwood voters to choose veteran independent Walter J. Dempsey over newcomer Angelo at the polls.
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Walter J. Dempsey Scores Resounding Comeback Victory in Special Selectman Election While Overseas-October 6, 1976
Walter J. Dempsey stages a stunning political comeback, winning a special Board of Selectmen election by a landslide while vacationing in London.
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