Town Meetings

February 03. 2013 10:34PM

Raymond incumbents get challenges

By GRETYL MACALASTER
Union Leader Correspondent

RAYMOND - Voters will have to make myriad choices to make when they go to the polls March 12. In addition to the 23 warrant articles on the ballot they will be voting for elected officials, and six of seven races on the ballot are being contested.

Selectmen Lee Weldy and Wayne Welch are being challenged by three residents in their bids for re-election, including two former selectmen, Greg Bemis and June M. Hartford, and current budget committee member Harry "Bud" McClard.

On the school ballot, incumbents Kelly Lehman and current chairman John Stewart are both running for only a one-year seat on the school board against challenger Kyle Scofield, who has been serving on the Lamprey River Elementary School Building Committee. Moe Titcomb, who has filled the seat by appointment since another school board member resigned last year, is not running in that race but is seeking a three-year term on the budget committee.

Daniel F. Chouinard, Diane Naoum, Steve Reardon and Steven Wallerstein will compete for two three-year seats on the school board being left open by Stewart and Lehman.

Other races are being contested as well. Planning board members Jonathan Wood and Gretchen Gott are both seeking re-election to three-year terms on the planning board but alternate Don Hedman is looking to take one of their seats.

Kimberlee Tyndall is challenging incumbent Tina M. Thomas for a three-year term as trustee of the trust funds.

Tyndall is also running for an open one-year term on the budget committee.

Sandy Ellis is running for the second available three-year term on the budget committee.

In the last contested race, Barbara Edgar and Sabrina Maltby are running for a three-year term as library trustee.

No candidates filed for an open three-year seat on the ethics committee.

A candidates night is being held on Tuesday, Feb. 19 from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Raymond High School Media Center for all town and school candidates to talk to residents about themselves and why they are running for office.

gmacalaster@newstote.com