Marblehead election features only one contested race

MARBLEHEAD – There will only be one contested race on the ballot for the May 12 town election.Rose Ann Wheeler McCarthy is challenging the five incumbents on the Recreation and Park Commission for a one-year seat on that board.Recreation and Park incumbents Linda Rice Collins, Sam Ganglani, Derek Norcross, Charles Osborne Jr. and David Rodgers are all seeking re-election. McCarthy is a former member of that board.McCarthy is also seeking re-election to a three-year seat on the Cemetery Commission.The deadline to turn in nomination papers for the election was 5 p.m. Monday.Selectmen Harry Christensen, Judith Jacobi, Jackie Belf-Becker, James Nye and William Woodfin II face no opposition this year. Nor does Town Moderator Gary Speiss, who also must seek re-election every year.Incumbent Patricia Blackmer and newcomer Richard Nohelty, a Leicester Road resident and financial planner, face no opponents for three-year seats on the School Committee. Nohelty will take the seat vacated by veteran School Committee member Rob Dana.In an unusual election event, Dr. Todd Belf-Becker, a dentist, is seeking the Board of Health seat being vacated by his father, Dr. David Belf Becker. Todd Belf-Becker is also the son of Selectman Jackie Belf-Becker.The town has a candidate for every vacancy on the ballot this year.Three-year seats are being sought by Kurt James and Philip Helmes, Planning Board, Charles Phillips, Municipal Light Commission, Robin Michaud and Jean Howe Trustees of the Abbot Public Library, John Kelley, Board of Assessors and John Doane and Bradford Freeman, Water and Sewer Commission. Doane, a Reed Street resident, is a newcomer. Richard Whitehill is seeking a five-year seat on the Housing Authority.Richard Coletti is seeking a two-year seat on the Cemetery Commission and Edward Nilsson is seeking a two-year seat on the Planning Board.