Incumbent Brad Markey and challenger Leo Choquette split the ward’s six precincts evenly in 2021, and when all the ballots were counted Markey prevailed by just 44 votes.
Author Archives: Arthur Hirsch
Posted inCity Hall
Council committee OKs 99-year lease for renovations at The Z
The lease, which essentially gives the Zeiterion the benefits and responsibilities of owning the building for a price of one dollar, still has to be approved by a supermajority of eight votes on the City Council, which is expected to take up the question at its regular meeting next Thursday.
Posted inElection 2023
Voters set the field for New Bedford’s final election
Preliminary election day weather was fine for getting out to vote, but not many people did. Turnout in the citywide election was a dismal 6.1% of nearly 66,000 registered voters.
Posted inElection 2023
Voters choosing final candidates in key city races
Manuel DeBrito, who chairs the city’s election commission, said he expects turnout to be driven mostly by two competitive council races and the fact that the mayor’s name is on the ballot.
Posted inAddiction Factor
Sober houses help in addiction recovery, but neighbors often object to their presence
“We’re trying to get back on track,” says Destiny Newell. “We should be given a place where we can do that.”
Posted inCity Hall
Zeiterion CEO worries City Council action could sink $32 million renovation
“I support the Zeiterion, I frequent the Zeiterion. I don’t feel comfortable voting for a 99-year lease … That’s why we’re holding a hearing.” — Ward 2 City Councilor Maria Giesta
Posted inCity Hall
Neighbors oppose sober home, but owner isn’t revealing his plans
Residents say a sober house does not belong in their historic single-family home neighborhood, which is also home to Mayor Jon Mitchell, State Rep. Antonio Cabral, state Sen. Mark Montigny and former mayor Scott Lang.
Posted inEducation
New Bedford crowd protests closing of UMass Star Store campus: ‘We are hurt and we are angry’
More than 200 people rallied at New Bedford’s Star Store building Thursday night, pledging to fight UMass Dartmouth’s decision to close the downtown campus.
Posted inEducation
UMD students plan ‘save the Star Store’ rally
“People are angry, people are frustrated, people are hurt and people care.” — AJ Vincelli, a PhD candidate in biomedical engineering and president of the graduate student union
Posted inEducation
Some UMass arts students appear headed for Bed Bath & Beyond
“It’s horrible. … We thought we were going to be kept in New Bedford. We definitely didn’t expect a strip mall in Dartmouth.” — Fallon Navarro, a UMass CVPA graduate student in ceramics.