Large Crowd Expect to Cast Votes For Foxborough Selectman: (Take Our Poll)

In case the lawn signs across town don’t give it away, it's election time.

When voters go to the polls for local elections on Monday, there will be four candidates vying for the two three-year term selectmen spots available.

After seeing a voter turnout of 24.7-percent in 2009 and then 27.3 in 2010, the 2011 elections saw a drastic drop with only 17-percent of register voters in towns heading to the polls.

With the major issue of a casino on Route 1 taking the town by storm, turnout is expected to see a significant increase when Foxborough goes to vote May 7 at the Ahern School from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“Voter interest has been high this election season. I am anticipating a turnout in excess of 50-percent,” said Foxborough Town Clerk Bob Cutler.

The high interest is something that current board of selectmen chairman Larry Harrington noted during his reelection campaign.

“Never had so many people calling, asking for lawn signs and asking to help,” Harrington said. “This election should be a huge turnout.”

Harrington along with selectman candidate and current school committee member Martha Slattery support hearing a proposal over the potential casino and destination resort.

His support has made him a target for anti-casino voters looking to add another anti-casino vote to the board of selectmen. Last December, the board voted 3-2 to send a letter to Governor Deval Patrick, the Kraft Organization, the Wynn Group, and the State Gaming Commission saying that they will not negotiate a deal to place a casino across the street from Gillette Stadium.

Slattery has expressed caution concerning a casino, saying that she would rather see the proposal before deciding if she is for or against having the casino.

“Being for or against any issue before its presented to me is political suicide,” Slattery said at the Foxboro Jaycees’ Candidates Night on April 27.

Slattery, who currently sits on the school committee, is running for selectman for the second time after a failed attempt in 2009.

“Martha and I trust the 11,000 voters to make the decision after they carefully weigh the negatives and positives of the proposal,” said Harrington.

Voting in favor of the letter was Harrington’s fellow board member Lorraine Brue. The incumbent has shown optimism that she will be reelected on Monday.

“I believe my campaign has gone well and hope for a positive outcome on Monday,” said Brue. 

Like the other candidates, Brue has received an influx of support in what has been a more competitive election season that usual. 

“I have been overwhelmed by the tremendous amount of support and good wishes I am receiving from residents who stop to talk with me about Monday's election,” Brue said.  “I am also appreciative of all of the support provided by members of my campaign team. They have been instrumental in helping me stay strong as a candidate.”

While some are focusing specifically on the casino issue, Ginny Copolla feels that she has more to off than just an opinion on the single issue. 

“I feel that my campaign is going very well because I reflect the opinions of the many people in Foxborough who do not want a casino sited in town,” Copolla said. “However, these same people feel that I will be able to tackle the other issues facing this town so that I am not viewed as an one issue candidate.”

Copploa, who is a former state representative and a former member of a racetrack research group, believes that voters while keeping the casino issue in mind are looking beyond that to choose the best representives for their town.

“While it was not my intention to make Monday's election a referendum on the casino issue, apparently it is more and more looking that way.  I prefer to think that the election is about the opportunity for the people of Foxborough to choose their representatives on the board of selectmen that reflect their own views,” Coppola said.

You can reach the candidates at their websites and emails:

Lorriane Brue: http://www.brueforselectman.org

Ginny Coppola: http://www.coppolaforselectman.com

Larry Harrington: www.larryharringtonforselectman.com

Martha Slattery:MarthaSlattery@gmail.com