Bannish failed to present an adequate number of nominating signatures for re-election 2 years ago.
David BannishWESTFIELD – Former City Councilor David A. Bannish, who failed to present an adequate number of nominating signatures for re-election two years ago, is seeking a return to his former at-large seat in the Nov. 8 city elections.
Bannish was unable to be reached for comment Friday, but he is among several prospective candidates who obtained nomination papers for the upcoming election this past week.
Bannish served 20 years on the City Council until the 2009 election when he failed to qualify for re-election.
City Clerk Karen M. Fanion advises candidates to submit a minimum 60 signatures of registered voters for certification. In 2009, Bannish submitted 56 signatures but during the certification process 10 were disqualified. A minimum of 50 valid signatures are required to certify candidates.
Also obtaining nominations papers this week for council at-large were Agma Maria Sweeney of 14 Pleasant St. and Michael Burns of 19 Kylie Lane. Sweeney currently is an aide to U.S. Rep. John W. Olver, D-Amherst.
Ward 3 City Councilor Peter J. Miller, an aide to state Sen. Michael R. Knapik, R-Westfield, began circulating papers for re-election.
Three incumbent Municipal Light Board commissioners, Robert A. Paul Sr. of Ward 2; Francis L. Liptak, Ward 4, and Thomas P. Flaherty Sr. of Ward 5 have also taken out papers signifying their re-election plans.
Nomination papers became available April 4 and must be returned to Fanion by Aug. 9.
Candidates who have been circulating papers since April 4 include Mayor Daniel M. Knapik; freshmen at-large City Councilors John J. Beltrandi III, David A. Flaherty and Gerald E. Tracy; and potential challengers Donna C. Hoernig of 129 Ridgecrest Dr. and Robert Cree of 6 Malone Ave.
Four veteran incumbent Ward councilors also started seeking nominating signatures earlier this month. They are Council President Christopher Keefe, representing Ward 1; Mary L. O’Connell in Ward 4; Richard E. Onofrey Jr. in Ward 5; and Christopher M. Crean of Ward 6.
Jeffrey L. Gosselin of 29 Union St. is the lone candidate circulating papers for one of three School Committee seats open for the November elections.
Also obtaining papers two weeks ago was incumbent Westfield Athenaeum Trustee Alberta Humason.
Nomination papers are available at the City Clerk’s office at City Hall until Aug. 5.
A preliminary election, if necessary, will be held Sept. 27.
The deadline for new voters to register for the Nov. 8 election is Oct. 19.