The early results are in for Reading’s local election, and while it looks John Arena has been elected to the Board of Selectmen by a sizable margin, the races for Board of Assessors and the Reading Municipal Light Department were much, much closer. According to unofficial results taken directly from the polls, Arena defeated challenger Karen Gately Herrick by a margin of 2,266 votes to 1,477—a gap of 789 votes. Arena said he felt gratified by the margin of his victory, but thinks he could have done even better. “Frankly, I think I could have kicked it up,” said Arena following his victory …

[Editor's Note: 22 percent of registered voters have cast votes as of 7 p.m.] The polls were jumping this afternoon at Hawkes Field House, as Reading residents came out to cast their ballots for the 2012 local election as well as the presidential primary. A total of 3,609 Readingites had voted as of 1 p.m., according to voter turnout data posted at the polling place, with Precinct 1 boasting the highest turnout at 582 voters, while Precinct 6 was bringing up the rear with 351 voters turning up. As of 1 p.m., 10.6 percent of all Reading registered voters had cast ballots.  Here’s how the …

Tuesday, March 6 is “Super Tuesday” and ten states across the country will be holding primaries or caucuses to help decide the Republican nominee for president in the general election this fall. Massachusetts, along with Alaska, Georgia, Idaho, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia head to the polls. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Texas Congressman Ron Paul are all still vying for the Republican nomination. President Barack Obama is not facing a challenger for the Democratic …

Tomorrow’s Super Tuesday primary will take on added importance for Reading voters, as, not only will they be casting votes in the Massachusetts primary, but they will also be voting in the 2012 local election. The state has predicted a relatively light turnout in terms of primary voters, and even with the added boost of several contested local races, Reading could follow suit. Town Clerk Laura Gemme says she is predicting a 30 to 35 percent turnout, but hoping those numbers prove to be low, and that contested town races such as Board of Selectmen, Board of Assessors and RMLD Board of …

As candidate for Commissioner for Reading Municipal Light Department, I’d like to introduce myself.  My husband and I have lived in Reading for 18 years.  We have 2 sons educated in Reading schools, which prepared them well for their college years.     A volunteer in town government and youth organizations since 1997, I’m currently active in Town Meeting and a member of Reading Finance Committee for 9 years, serving as Chair for 2 years.  As a member of the Audit and Finance Committees, I have reviewed RMLD financial reports over the years.  I also served as Treasurer of Cub Scout Pack 728 …

I will vote for Karen Herrick this Tuesday, and I ask you to do the same. I have sat near Karen at town meeting for a number of years. Although we have not always voted the same way on various issues, I was always impressed with Karen’s knowledge of the issues.  In addition to her years on town meeting, Karen has served on the Reading Solid Waste Committee, the Reading Tax Classification Committee, and the Reading Historical Commission. These are not necessarily high profile committees; nevertheless, they need volunteer residents to accomplish the needed town work. Without a spot light, Karen…

Letter to the editor  Today I rise in support of Marsie West and ask the voters of the Town of Reading to elect her to the Reading Municipal Light Department Board of Commissioners. Marsie first of all has a strong financial and organizational background that will be an asset to both the Commission and the Department. Her business background as 1st Vice President in the Operations Strategy Group at BNY Mellon will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Commission. Marsie will represent the consumer in the RMLD service territory. Her work with the Town of Reading Finance Committee …

In what figures to be the last major campaign event before the March 6 local election, Board of Selectmen candidates John Arena and Karen Gately Herrick squared off in a debate last night at RCTV Studios on Main Street. Meanwhile, just a few hundred yards up the road, the Selectmen, Town Manager and the Assistant Town Manager bid farewell to Camille Anthony, as she chaired her final Selectmen meeting after 18 years. Arena and Herrick are vying to fill the seat Anthony is leaving behind. The debate was moderated by Kevin Vendt and Dick Curtis, and each candidate was issued to “rebuttal cards” …

Dear Editor,  I am writing to you today to support the re-election of Albert Turco as our Republican State Committeeman, representing the 5th Middlesex State Senate District. Al continues to be a dedicated and loyal leader in our Party, and he has proven time and again his ability to mobilize and activate the Republican Party at the grassroots level. Throughout the numerous years that I have known Al, he has provided hundreds of hours of manpower, advice, and skill to our legislative races, helping to grow our members in the Massachusetts Legislature. It is through the tireless efforts of …

There's more good news for Republican congressional candidate Richard Tisei this week. The former Massachusetts Senate Majority Leader has landed the endorsement of Sen. Scott Brown. “I’ve known Richard Tisei for 25 years as both a friend and a colleague in the State Senate,” Brown said. “We need more independent-minded fighters like him in our delegation if we’re going to get the economy moving and get America going the right direction again.” Brown was born in Wakefield and raied in what is now the 6th Congressional District. Brown won that district in 2010, and Tisei was re-elected 12 …

To the Editor: We are writing to voice our support for Karen Gately Herrick for a seat on the Board of Selectmen. We believe that Karen has the right combination of experience, education, proven commitment to the community through volunteer service, work ethic, and open mind to guide her to serve productively and successfully as a Selectman. These qualities have served her well in her years of service with Reading town government, and will continue to serve her as Reading faces some difficult challenges ahead. Knowledge of the issues. Karen is the candidate who has served 10 years as a Town …

Reading Community Television (RCTV) held a candidates forum at its Main Street studio on Feb. 16. Camille Anthony and Robert Quinn are competing for one position, a three-year term on the Board of Assessors. Both candidates discussed the role of the assessor as well as fielded a variety of questions from moderator Thomas J. Ryan, former Chairman of the Board of Assessors. The 2012 Local Election will be held on March 6, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Republican Primary, with all precincts voting at Hawkes Field House at Reading Memorial High School. Watch the attached video, and when …

[Editor's Note: The following letter has been lightly edited] On March 6 we will be voting for one of our town's highest elected officials. As a business owner, resident and mother of three attending school in Reading, this election is important to my family. I will be casting my vote for John Arena.  I had the privilege of meeting John ten years ago when he was an active member of the church we both attended. John is approachable, thoughtful, listens actively and is always ready to help others before himself. He has willingly shared his knowledge and experience running a small family …

Do you have an interest in Reading’s town government? If so, take some time to come out and chat with someone who is seeking to become one of your highest elected officials. Candidate for Board of Selectmen John Arena will be holding a meet and greet event at Sam’s Bistro on Feb. 20, and all residents are invited to stop by between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to meet the candidate. Arena is a longtime Reading resident and currently serves on the Finance Committee, as well as being a Town Meeting member. “I'm a strong advocate for our public schools—which have served my family and my neighbors and…

As many of you may know, my wife Karen Herrick is a candidate for the Reading Board of Selectmen. You may also be aware that Karen has been a Town Meeting member for over ten years. It has been suggested—indirectly—by her opponent in this race that Karen is a "career politician," or, at a minimum, that he is not. Having lived through Karen's involvement in town activities throughout our 15 years of residency, I think it would be useful for voters to get a better understanding of the depth and breadth of Karen's activities on behalf of the residents of Reading.   In addition to her Town …

President Obama's recent announcement about health care and insurance reform regarding birth control has caused a national stir. The debate concerning contraception and national health care reform came to the Reading Public Library as Democratic Senate hopeful Elizabeth Warren addressed the Reading Democratic Caucus. Warren used her time to speak out concerning this hot button issue in regards to her opponent, Senator Scott Brown, and his recent endorsement of a Missouri Senator's bill that opposes Obama's new mandate. Warren focused on Brown's co-sponsorship of Senator Roy Blunt's amendment …

The state's largest labor organization has endorsed Congressman John Tierney for reelection. The Massachusetts AFL-CIO endorsement comes after a unanimous vote of its Executive Council’s Committee on Political Education at a conference in Plymouth last week. Tierney is a longtime advocate for labor unions, with an extensive track record of legislation and votes favoring organized labor. “With years of tireless advocacy fighting for working families and our Commonwealth’s most disadvantaged people, this endorsement is as energizing as it is well-deserved," Massachusetts AFL-CIO President …

Many speak about a broken Washington, D.C., that cries for new leadership. The CLASS Act is living proof of the problems that plague Washington, and why it is time for change in Congress. The CLASS Act (“Community Living Assistance Services and Supports”) was passed as part of ObamaCare and hailed as a long term care insurance program that would help seniors maintain independence at home and avoid nursing home placement. At the time, Congressional leaders promised that every senior in the nation would be eligible for this new government run program and that this new benefit would be financed …

Information from a press release issued by the campaign of Elizabeth Warren was used in this report Senate hopeful and consumer advocate Elizabeth Warren will attend the Reading Democrats Caucus tonight at the Reading Public Library, according to a press release. Coming off a strong caucus showing this weekend, Warren will continue her work to earn Democratic support at the Reading caucus tonight. Warren is building a strong grassroots campaign centered on her fight for middle class families and her record of standing up to Wall Street and the big banks. The caucus meetings represent an …