Marblehead elections generating interest

MARBLEHEAD – Less than a week before the deadline for returning nomination papers, there are four contested races shaping up for the May 11 town election.Seven candidates are seeking the five available one-year seats on the Recreation and Park Commission, where incumbents Derek Norcross, Charles "Chip" Osborne, Linda Rice Collins and Sam Ganglani face challenges from Clifton Heights Lane resident Charles Nyren, Thompson Road resident Skip Likins and former Commissioner Rose Ann Wheeler McCarthy.Rec and Park Commissioner David Rodgers, who recently married, is stepping down in May.Three candidates are seeking a vacant three-year seat on the Board of Health, where Carl Goodman is stepping down. They are Naugus Avenue resident Matthew Herring, Maverick Street resident Matthew Adam Karlyn and Sevinor Road resident Michelle Gottlieb.There are four candidates seeking the two available three-year seats on the Trustees of the Abbot Public Library. Incumbents Susan Indresano and Peggy Geist Blass face challengers Barbara Collins Rosenberg and Phyllis Smith.Rosenberg sought a seat on the board last summer. Selectmen and the library trustees named Maura Phelan Murnane to that seat and she is running for it unopposed so far.There are two candidates for a seat on the Housing Authority: Kris Larson and Pamela Foye.Those wishing to seek office this year must return nomination papers to the town clerk’s office by 5 p.m. Monday, March 23. Papers may be taken out as late as March 23, but must be returned with 50 certifiable signatures.One candidate, Maverick Street resident EuRim Chun, is seeking the School Committee seat being vacated by James Dearborn.All five incumbent selectmen are seeking re-election, including Jackie Belf-Becker, Judy Jacobi, Harry Christensen, William Woodfin and James Nye.Board of Assessors member Douglas Percy has taken out papers for election to a three-year seat on the Board of Assessors.Also seeking office are Planning Board members James Bishop and Karl Johnson, Town Moderator Gary Speiss, Cemetery Commissioner Dexter Gillis, Municipal Light Commissioners Phillip Sweeney and Wilbur Bassett and Water and Sewer Commissioner Emerson Brown.