A random telephone sampling of more than 30 Norwood residents conducted last week indicates that a clear majority of local voters are well aware of the upcoming September 5 recall election, though most remain undecided as they await the final days of the campaign.
The upcoming election targets School Committee Chairman Henry W. Diggs and members Richard W. Kief and John H. Chisholm, who face recall after being cited for fiscal irresponsibility by town meeting members for refusing to accept a $618,000 reduction to the school budget. Challenging the incumbents on the ballot are Thomas DiFrancia opposing Diggs, Charles Saraca opposing Kief, and William Pudsey and Paul Poznick both contesting Chisholm’s seat. Meanwhile, a second separate recall effort has emerged targeting the remaining four school committee members over their stance on budget cuts.
Voter Sentiment and Undecided Stand
While the telephone survey was informal, it revealed that most respondents—even those recently returning from vacation—plan to participate in the vote and familiarize themselves with the arguments. However, nearly all contacted residents reported holding off on endorsing specific candidates or positions until the last minute.
Opinions regarding the necessity of restoring the $618,000 school budget cut were evenly split among those surveyed. Several residents noted that conflicting reports surrounding the dual recall drives and complex budgetary arguments added to public confusion, prompting a measured, wait-and-see approach. As one Alpine Road resident remarked, “I think that it requires a great deal of thought. There is so much to be said on both sides of the issue. I want to wait until the last minute before I make up my mind.”
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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Norwood Junior High School Building Committee Reviews Five Replacement Plans-July 27, 1971
The Norwood building committee reviewed five alternate architectural plans for a new junior high school while exploring federal disaster aid.
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Meeting Ignores School Pleas, Cuts Budget By $126,558-June 15, 1971
A fierce debate over encumbered funds and municipal parity dominates a marathon Norwood Town Meeting session over the town budget.
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Board Agrees on Postponement of School Renovation Article-June 8, 1971
A multi-million dollar architectural estimate nearly doubles expected costs for the burned-out Junior High South, prompting town leaders to delay action.
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School Committee Reverses Votes-June 3, 1971
In 1970, the Norwood School Committee reversed two earlier decisions after strong parent turnout, restoring Shattuck School students to Junior High North and adopting a mid‑year “flip‑flop” double‑session schedule while addressing civic center polling and a hospital parking dispute.
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Norwood Pupils To Attend Double Sessions After $2M Fire-January 25, 1971
Blaze at junior high ‘was set’ Seven hundred fifty pupils from Norwood South Junior High School, which was gutted by a $2 million general alarm fire Saturday night, will start double sessions with the pupils at North Junior High later this week. Norwood Fire Chief Irving J. Dobson said yesterday, after a preliminary investigation: “The…
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Bells Are Ringin’-July 3, 1970
The Norwood School Committee overhauled its student transportation system and faced an $8,000 wave of structural school vandalism in July 1970
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School Board Stops Metco And Book Lists-June 18, 1970
A tie vote defeats a local high school Metco expansion while the school committee votes to completely abolish student reading lists
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Boards Press for Expanded Community Use of School Gymnasiums-August 14, 1969
Citing taxpayer ownership and a lack of indoor recreational space, Norwood selectmen and Charles C. Saraca urged the school committee to open school gyms to the public.
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Strikes And Weather Delay North Junior High School Construction-June 17, 1969
Superintendent Warns Of Possible Double-Session Classes If Washington Street Facility Openings Fail A steel strike at the end of last summer halted installation of metal decking for the roof and delayed the roofer. Snow and freezing weather further hampered the project before the roof could be completed at the new school site. Without a roof,…
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Norwood Oasis in Tension Era-June 8, 1968
Henry Diggs, Irma Diggs, Jacqueline Diggs, Judith Diggs, printer, teacher, School Committee, Boy Scouts, Girl Scout Council, Norwood Junior High School, Metco, Norwood Ministerial Ass., Springfield College, Lesley College, physical education teacher, substitute teacher, politics, schools, elections, local history, jun-8, 1968, 1960s
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