Next mayoral race could be packed
3 pols may be eyeing City Hall’s top office
By Paul Fleming Jr.
MethuenLife Writer
Depending upon when you are reading this, the next Methuen mayor's race is approximately 22 months away. And while that may seem like a long time to some, it is not in the wonderfully wacky world that constitutes Methuen politics.
Already, three local elected officials are pondering their political futures for 2011, even as we just unveil 2010 and Mayor William Manzi is beginning his third and final term.
Three who may strive for the top spot in 2011 are Councilor-At-Large Stephen N. Zanni, former Councilor-At-Large and current School Committee member Kenneth R. Willette Jr., and outgoing East End City Councilor Joseph A. Leone III.
While all three men have expressed an interest in running for the job publicly to their friends and acquaintances in the community, two are being predictably circumspect when asked to comment directly on their intentions.
"I haven't ruled anything out. I haven't made any plans," Leone says. "If I get feedback that they want me to run, maybe I'll run."
"Right now I just want to concentrate on being a good city councilor for the community," Zanni says. "(Running for mayor) is something I would consider at a later date."
Of the trio, Willette is the only one willing to tackle the question with a higher degree of certainty.
"I'm 90 percent sure that I will run," he says. "A lot can happen between now and then, but I think it's time to throw my hat in the ring."
Willette, 36, has been in the public arena for 10 years and worked at the Statehouse as an aide to former state Rep. Arthur Broadhurst for 11 years. Prior to the term he is about to start on the School Committee, he served for four years.
For the last six he had been a member of the City Council, where he fashioned himself as a bit of a maverick in his approach. It is that approach, he says, that has drawn him favor from Methuen voters.
"I'm not beholden to lobbyists or special interest groups for fund-raising - or the unions," Willette says. "I take pride in my independent streak. There are a lot of ideas I toss out regularly the unions aren't happy about. I'm going to run on my record."
