STOUGHTON MAY CHANGE DATE OF TOWN ELECTION: Town Clerk Cheryl Mooney has discussed moving the date of the Stoughton town election to coincide with the special primary for the U.S. Senate seat previously held by current U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (Mo Cowan, of Stoughton, is holding the seat in the interim).  

The town election is currently scheduled for Tuesday, April 9, 2013. Under Mooney's plan, it would be moved to Tuesday, April 30, the same date as the special primary election for the U.S. Senate.

Mooney said her plan could save the town some money, and would not interfere with Organizational Town Meeting (scheduled for May 2). It would, however, impact the date of scheduled precinct caucuses to fill any empty Town Meeting representative seats (as of now, scheduled for April 17). 

The final decision on the date of town election lays in the hands of the Stoughton Board of Selectmen. The Selectmen are having a special meeting this coming Monday night, March 11, in the Yaitanes Room on the third floor of Town Hall at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the issue. 

Click here for an agenda for Monday's meeting: 3-11-13 agenda.pdf  

Mooney told About Town, "They were going to start printing the ballots [Thursday for the town election], but I told them to hold off, we could be changing the date." 

The Town Clerk discussed the pros and cons of holding the two elections on the same day. 

Mooney said combining both into one would still require two sets of ballots. 

She added, "I am trying to do what is best procedurally for poll workers. Any election is a long day for election workers, adding a second election to the first can be confusing. There are two voters lists (separate checkers), two separate sets of absentee ballots, trying to keep straight which ballots voters want (maybe one election and not the other.) It can be a little too much for some of the workers." 

As for possible cost savings, Mooney says that would be with having police details only one day instead of two, and some poll worker salaries. "And, if the State gives us some money, we might save a little by combining. I'm still waiting to hear how much they are giving us. Programming costs for programming election machines would be the same," she said.   

Mooney had one additional advantage: residents would only be in the schools one day while school was in session, instead of two.

Locally, Easton Selectman voted to change its local election date to April 30, the day of the U.S. Senate primary.

Stoughton Selectmen expressed interest in considering the idea at their March 5 meeting. We'll see Monday what the Board ends up deciding.  

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SNYDER TO DANCE TO HELP FIGHT CHILDHOOD CANCER:  Leesa Snyder, a 2012 graduate of Stoughton High, is dancing for charity at the University of Delaware. The Dean's List student writes: 

"Recently I received a bid to Alpha Xi Delta, an amazing sorority on the University of Delaware campus that has sisters like myself who are both socially and academically involved, and who love to give back to the community. Our philanthropy is "Autism Speaks" and I am so excited to get more involved in the fundraising and community service aspect of the Greek community here at Udel. This email is not about Autism Speaks, but instead is about a program called UDance. 

"Every day, there are 46 families that will hear the words “your child has cancer.” Tragically, cancer remains the #1 disease killer of America’s children – more than Cystic Fibrosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Asthma, and AIDS combined. As a new member of the Greek community at the University of Delaware, I am involved in making a difference for these kids. This is why I am participating in “UDance” – a 12-hour dance marathon that is the largest student-run philanthropy at UD. On March 10, 2013, we will be “dancing today to give the kids a tomorrow. Last year, they raised $470,000!"

The former Stoughton High cheerleader and hurdler added, "The money that we raise will benefit The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation (www.BePositive.org), a national non-profit organization that is based here in Delaware. The B+ Foundation funds childhood cancer research and helps families of children with cancer. The B+ Foundation has introduced 26 very brave “B+ Heroes” to our campus."

"Sadly, she continued, "three of those children have gone to Heaven in the past few years. As a student, friend and family member I cannot imagine losing an innocent child to cancer, and that is why I am participating. I want to do as much as I can to support the children who need a friend, a smile and most importantly a cure. Please help us reach our goal to make a difference in the lives of these children."  

To donate to BePositive and support UDance, click the link: https://www.udancede.org/udance2013/IndividualLanding.aspx?RegistrantID=97423

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