Regardless, there’ll be a new lineup for City Council

They say nothing is certain in love and politics.

That may be true in love, but there’s one thing for sure about this year’s campaigns for City Council: no matter who wins, the council is in for a change like it hasn’t seen in decades.

In past elections, a one- or two-seat change in the council was the most that could be expected. When the council is sworn into office in January, newcomers will fill four of the nine seats. That’s because four incumbents chose not to seek re-election – Steve Colantuono in Ward 1, Thomas Chadronet in Ward 2, Camille Vella Wilkinson in Ward 3, and Kathleen Usler in Ward 7.

The outcome in Ward 7 was decided in the Democratic primary when Steve McAllister beat Robert Germani, Jack Kirby and Charles Donovan Jr. for the Democratic nomination. Donovan, looking to make a return to the seat he lost to Usler in the 2014 primary, lost to McAllister by four votes. With no Republican or independents running for the council seat, McAllister will be the next Ward 7 councilman.

Going unchallenged this election year are Councilman Ed Ladouceur in Ward 5, Joseph Gallucci in Ward 8 and Steve Merolla in Ward 9.

Those close to council politics are viewing Ward 1 as the hottest of the contests. Richard Corley, an attorney who served on the Zoning Board of Review until he announced his candidacy, won the Democratic nomination in the primary. He faces Richard Cascella, who is active in community and Republican circles and is making his first bid for elective office. Cascella has had Mayor Scott Avedisian’s support in walking the ward.

What might change with such a large turnover on the council?

Top on the list is who will serve in the role of council president, a position that can affect the outcome of legislation, appointments and the very manner in which the council conducts business. Jockeying for the post has already started, with Ladouceur making no bones about his interest.

Ward 8’s Joseph Gallucci, who has held the role, said he’s interested if voters return him to office. Another possible candidate is Joseph Solomon, although his name hasn’t surfaced as actively seeking the position. Incumbent Council President Donna Travis may have hurt her chances of keeping the seat with her endorsement of Republican Avedisian for re-election over her own party’s endorsed candidate, Richard Corrente.

This election for president, where only council members get to vote, has played out with relative certainty in recent years as so many incumbents return to office. This time around, at least four new councilors will get to vote, and who wins will depend on the outcome of those races.

After winning in a three-way primary, Jeremy Rix faces Republican John Silvaggio in the election.

Rix has been highly visible at both political events, where he has attended Democratic fundraisers, and community hearings, including those on school consolidation where he spoke in favor of postponing school closures and neighborhood meetings like that of the Norwood Association.

Silvaggio says he’s done some door-to-door campaigning. On his website, he says if elected he will remove barriers to set up small businesses, would restructure licensing for firearms “so more citizens can exercise their rights,” and act to repeal ordinances regulating outdoor fires. Avedisian hasn’t walked with him, as is the custom with fellow Republican ward and local state candidates.

The mayor also hasn’t linked up with James Ferola, who is running as a Republican in Ward 6 against the incumbent Travis. Ferola has signs out and has been walking the ward.

In Ward 3, Timothy Howe, who has worked closely with Vella-Wilkinson on veterans’ affairs, faces a race with independent Kenneth Nelson. Howe is a regular at council meetings and community events. Nelson, as best could be determined from the Board of Elections website, has not filed a campaign finance report, indicating he has not raised nor spent any money on his campaign.

Another independent, Ernest Flagg, is challenging incumbent Solomon in Ward 4.

Going forward, Vella-Wilkinson, who is running for House District 21, sees the influx of at least four new faces on the council as bringing new energy and ideas to the group. She imagines that charter review, especially the governance of schools and home rule, will be issues.

One thing is for sure, come January, many council old-timers will be joined by at least four newcomers.