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Community Corner

ABOUT TOWN: Which Town Meeting Representatives Had the Best (and Worst) Attendance Record?

Welcome to "About Town with Mark Snyder," a column that will keep you up to the minute with what's what, who's who and what's going on around town.

DID YOUR TOWN MEETING REPRESENTATIVE REPRESENT YOU?  The next time you pick up a ballot and vote for Town Meeting members to represent your precinct, you should do a little homework. Does your Town Meeting rep actually show up? Many don't.

Every year I write up an article about it, and include the overall attendance sheet for all eight precincts.

Some reps never even show up to a single meeting.

If your reps don't show up, you are being short-changed.

Some were sick - others just sick of Town Meeting.  

Here's a roundup of the best and worst in each precinct (includes Organizational Town Meeting & the seven sessions):  

In Precinct 1, two members had perfect attendance. They were Dr. Carol Brown (of the school committee) and (selectman) Robert O'Regan.

Those missing only one meeting were Precinct Chairman Elliot Hansen, Chester Collins, John and Julie Linehan, and Cynthia Mompoint.  The worst? Joan Spicer (attended once) and Charlene LaFerriere (attended twice).  

In Precinct 2, the best attended Precinct in the Town, 12 members had perfect attendance. They were Precinct Chairman Mark Snyder, Jeffrey Blacker, Scott and Stephanie Carrara, Anita and Richard Hill, Phyllis Kelleher, (precinct secretary) Mary Ann Killgoar, (deputy moderator) Bob Mullen, Paul O'Leary, Jaoquin Soares, Jr., (selectwoman) and Cynthia Walsh.

Missing only one was Precinct Vice Chair George Dolinsky, Peter Murphy, Larry Sauer, and David Walsh. Worst attendance was Heidee Anastos, who came to one meeting.  

In Precinct 3, seven members had perfect attendance. They were Robert Blumenthal, Laura Bushlow, Richard "Dick" Fitzgerald, John and Rachel Morton, John Roch, Antonio "Tony" Sousa, and David Young.

Missing one meeting was Precinct Chairman Dennis Gada, Lisa Anderson, John Perry III, and Christine Shannon. Worst attendance was recorded by Donna Ayers, Richard Blea, and (Stoughton High Vice Principal) Mike O'Neil, who all attended only two meetings.  

In Precinct 4, perfect attendance was turned in by eight members. They include Dr. Roberta Camacho, (FinCom member) Patricia Colburn, Precinct Chair Juliann and Louis Gitto, Ardis Johnston, Gerald McDonald, Stephen Shepherd, and (school committee member) Deborah Sovinee.

Missing only one meeting was (fincom member) Barbara Anzivino and (selectman) John Anzivino. Worst attendance was turned in by Shawn Croke, who attended two meetings, and Carlos Vargas, who attended three.  

In Precinct 5, four members turned in perfect attendance. They included Janice Esdale, Precinct Chairman Eric Kolman, Forrest Lindwall, and Larry Verdun.

Missing only one meeting was Elaine Breen, Cindy Pazyra, Kathy Silva, and Edward Trunfio. The worst attendance was Jeffrey and Keril Cabral, and Joe Mokrisky - all three did not show up for any of the meetings.  

In Precinct 6, three people turned in a perfect attendance job. They included Joseph Figueiredo, Joseph Madden, Jr., and Janice Schneider.

Missing only one meeting were Russell Clough, Ed DeFelice, James Gearin, Joseph Piana, and Mary Shea. Worst attendance was from Arlene Bown, who missed them all, and Faith Weiner, who showed up for one.  

In Precinct 7, six members had perfect attendance. They include Dianne Dolan, Jeanne Fleming, Donald Interrante, Precinct Chair Elizabeth Pietro, Paula Smith, and Robin Zoll.

Those who missed only one meeting included Candace Fisher, Billy Mote, Nancy Patterson, and Paul Smith. Worst attendance was turned in by Margaret Buresh, who missed every meeting; and Roger Kahan, who attended two.  

Finally, in Precinct 8, five members had perfect attendance, including Denise Bronsdon, Frank Lyons, Jr., Allan MacNeil, Wendy McAlister, and Precinct Chair Frances Stetson.

Missing only one meeting were John Kavin, Fred Simms and Teresa Tapper. Worst attendance was turned in by Aina McMann, Steven Mitchell and Peter Ventresco. All three missed every meeting.

Overall, Precinct 2, as mentioned, had the best attendance with a cumulative attendance rate of 87.5 percent. The rest of the precincts are as follows: Precinct 1 (70.6%), Precinct 3 (76.2%), Precinct 4 (78.6%), Precinct 5 (62.5%), Precinct 6 (67.3%), Precinct 7 (75%), Precinct 8 (65.2%).

Total attendance peaked at 129 for the opening night of Town Meeting back on May 20 (there are 155 Town Meeting reps), and steadily declined the rest of the nights: Session 2 (128), Session 3 (124), Session 4 (114), Session 5 (111), Session 6 (109), Session 7 (103).

Click here to see the 2013 Annual Town Meeting member attendance in full.

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