Saugus incumbents, political hopefuls witness ballot draw

SAUGUS – Current School Committee member Joseph Malone and former selectman Steve Castinetti took the top spots on the Saugus ballot Thursday night, as candidates for selectmen, School Committee and Town Meeting watched their names drawn from a wooden tumbler at Town Hall.Selectman candidate George DeDomenico was picked second out of 11 Thursday night, but said he doesn?t think ballot order plays a big roll in elections.?I think people vote on their merit and you earn your vote,” said DeDomenico, adding, “Which they should.”School Committee member Tom Stewart was picked seventh was impressed with the turnout.?It?s good to see all the candidates running,” said Stewart. “The best thing is the fact that every Town Meeting seat is contested except for one.”Sherri Raftery is on the Library Board of Trustees and is making her first foray into town politics as she looks to win the nomination for precinct one Town Meeting with the fifth pick.?I?m excited,” said Raftery. “I think five on the ballot is good. I?m happy to be on the ballot.”Mike Downing, who was picked sixth for the selectman ballot, is also making his first try at local office. He said it?s good to see how the town functions.?I?ve never seen it before and I should know the whole process,” said Downing. “I don?t know how much it matters, I would say the same thing if I was first or last. I?ve never been through it. I told the other guys, ?It would be better if I came in last because they?d have to scan all your names until they found mine.? “Selectman Stephen Horlick drew the fourth spot and said position may give candidates an edge, but getting your message out is key.?Ballot position may give you an extra few votes if you?re in the top five because some people will just go and vote maybe the top three or top five,” said Horlick. “Voters who know what candidates stand for are going to look down the ballot and find their candidate no matter where the number is and that?s what they?re going to vote.”Ballot Order:SELECTMEN1. Steve Castinetti2. George DeDomenico3. Michael Serino4. Stephen Horlick5. Matthew Canterbury6. Mike Downing7. Scott Crabtree8. Sean Maltais9. Julie Ann Mitchel10. Robert Cox11. Debra PanettaSchool Committee1. Joe Malone2. Eric James Breda3. Corinne Riley4. Lynn Petkewich5. Frederick Doucette6. Arthur Grabowski7. Tom Stewart8. Wendy Reed