New Faces to Sit on Middletown Town Council
Although there are 700 absentee ballots outstanding, it appears Middletown Town Council will have new faces.
[updated at 9:30 a.m. The official count will be available around 2 p.m. this afternoon, according to officials.]
After Tuesday's election, Middletown Town Council might have several new members. The results do not include 700 absentee ballots that remain to be counted.
Three incumbents did not receive enough votes for re-election, including current Council President Arthur Weber. Councilors Edward Silveria and Antone Viveiros also did not receive enough votes at the polls. Councilor Richard Cambra did not seek re-election.
Challenger Paul Rodrigues was the top vote-getter for Middletown Council, pulling in 3262 total votes.
"I am very proud," said his 88 year-old mother, Georginna Rodrigues with a wide smile during the democratic election party at Easton's Point Pub.
Subject to the absentee ballots, the following candidates make up the top seven vote getters for the Middletown Town Council.
- Paul Rodrigues 3262
- Bruce Long 3158 (incumbent)
- Christopher Semonelli 3022 (incumbent)
- Theresa Santos 2983
- Richard Adams 2885
- Barbara Vonvillas 2864 (incumbent)
- Robert J. Sylvia 2761
Linda Finn vs. Daniel Reilly (RI State House of Representatives Race)
The race for the seat in the State House of Representatives between incumbent Daniel Reilly and challenger Linda Finn remains very close.
"It's been a great race, very civil race" said House Candidate Linda Finn, who is leading incumbent Reilly by around 87 votes. There are approximately 1700 absentee ballots in Middletown and Portsmouth that might be outstanding.
Other Election Related Info
State Senator Louis DiPalma, who ran unopposed, said the long lines at the polling stations were a serious issue that need to be addressed once the legislative session begins in January. Some residents reported they had to wait over two hours to vote.
The proposals to renovate the Middletown Fire Station - question 8 - passed with 68 percent approval. The proposed changes to the town charter also passed. The numbers for each question are available on the board of elections web site.
Poll numbers (does not include absentee ballots)
Representative in General Assembly - District 72
| Candidate | Votes (includes Portsmouth & Middletown |
| Daniel Reilly (REP) |
3206 |
| Linda Finn (DEM) |
3293 |
Representative in General Assembly - District 73
| candidate | votes |
|---|---|
| Marvin L. ABNEY (DEM) | 806 |
| Write-in | 10 |
Representative in General Assembly - District 74
| Candidate | votes |
|---|---|
| Deborah L. RUGGIERO (DEM) | 1796 |
| Anthony A. MASTROSTEFANO (REP) | 82 |
Town Council
Incumbents
| Candidate |
Party | Votes |
| Bruce Long |
Independent | 3158 |
| Christopher Semonelli |
Democratic | 3022 |
| Edward Silveira Jr. | Democratic | 2761 |
| Antone Viveiros |
Republican | 2353 |
| Barbara Vonvillas |
Independent | 2864 |
| Arthur Weber Jr. |
Independent |
2458 |
Challengers
| Candidate | Party | Votes |
| Richard Adams |
Democratic | 2885 |
| Cheryl Foster |
Republican | 2087 |
| Richard Francis Jr. | Democratic | 2662 |
| Olin "Butch" Gambrell |
Democratic | 2435 |
| Paul M. Rodrigues | Democratic | 3262 |
| M. Theresa Santos | Republican | 2983 |
| Robert J. Sylvia | Democratic | 2842 |
School Committee
2 to elect
| Candidate | Votes |
|---|---|
| Kellie Elizabeth DiPALMA | 3960 |
| William R. O'CONNELL | 3274 |
| WRITE-IN | 48 |
Denny Crane
8:10 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Could you simply list the winners, just as confusing as voting at MHS last night
Olga Enger
8:11 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Hi Denny, There is a bullet list of the winners in the article, in order of their votes.
John
8:42 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
There are two other Middletown representatives in the state legislature. The town is part of three districts. We need to hear about those as well.
Jim L
4:17 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
i would hope that the new council will also come out against TOLLS, I think it vital to bussinesses in Middletown
Lion King
12:41 pm on Thursday, November 8, 2012
I am very saddened to see Mssrs Rodriguez and Sylvia, and Ms. Santos return to the dais. The last council upon which they sat, and over which Mr. Rodriguez ruled, was one of the most divisive and quarrelsome group of "leaders" seen in many years. I wish them better luck this year, and hope that they can rally around something more pressing than the East Main billboards.
Npt Native
1:17 pm on Thursday, November 8, 2012
It doesn't look like the "new" faces are so new. Middletown needs to wake up and put some new blood on the town Council. Looks to me like the same old people with the same old ideas.
big blue
11:25 pm on Thursday, November 8, 2012
How about the new face on the school committee...are you kidding me!!!! Chris S nominated this person...too bad Chris was reelected...what is this all about 4 other strong candidates and this is the new face we have for our children
Red Storm
5:56 pm on Friday, November 9, 2012
I noticed that. Was this appointment a joke! What a slap in the face to the school committee not to mention the disrespect to Mr. Crowley. The TC picked someone who is polar opposit that wonderful man. A disgrace. All of the TC should have been dethroned!