The winners of the respective Preliminary Election races go on to compete for nine seats on the City Council and six seats on the School Committee. The winner of the mayoral race will occupy the seventh seat on the School Committee.

The candidates for City Council are:

• Kris Bartley
• Donald A. Berube
• Brian Bigelow – incumbent
• Jamie Boulay
• Robert V. Boutin
• John Brandt Jr.
• Ronald C. Cabral
• Joseph (Joe) D. Camara – Incumbent
• Michael Canuel
• Patricia (Pat) A. Casey – Incumbent
• Paul G. Da Silva
• David J. Dennis
• Brian M. Dias
• Stephen Freitas
• Robert J. Gabbour
• Jeffrey T. Gregory
• Bradford (Brad) L. Kilby
• Michael Lund – Incumbent
• David P. Meade Jr.
• Antone (Tony) E. Mendoza
• Michael L. Miozza
• Raymond A. Mitchell
• William P. Oakhem
• Leo O. Pelletier – Incumbent
• Linda M. Pereira – Incumbent
• Eric Poulin
• Joseph Sousa

The candidates for School Committee are:

• Shawn Cadime – Incumbent
• Mark Costa – Incumbent
• Russell J. Desbiens
• Victor M. Farias
• Andrew Galvao
• Joseph Martins – Incumbent
• Robert Menard
• Timothy P. McCoy – Incumbent
• Richard D. Pavao
• Robert E. Pearson
• Marilyn Morin Roderick – Incumbent
• John J. Rodrigues
• Robert (Jamie) Tyrrell

The two candidates who receive the most votes in the Sept. 15 preliminary will then go on to see who will be elected mayor in the Nov. 3 election.

• Manuel Alves
• Steven Camara
• Robert Correia – Incumbent
• William Flanagan
• Raymond Hague
• Mike Raposa
• Cathy Ann Viveiros

Statement:

My name is Manny Alves and I’m a candidate for Mayor of Fall River. I am a father, grandfather, and a long time resident of this great city.

Over this past year especially, our city has faced some serious financial challenges. Tax revenues have decreased and our state aid has fallen short while our local government was left unprepared to properly respond to this economic crisis.

We have again seen the same old politicians use the same old excuses while they resort to raising local taxes, laying off teachers and decimating our fire and police departments. These negative actions have lowered our chances at economic opportunities, decreased our access to government and made us less safe in our homes and on our streets. Collectively, our citizens are left in a vulnerable position. I think the citizens of Fall River deserve better public safety, real economic opportunities and more responsive local government.

These are my reasons for seeking the office of Mayor of Fall River.

Unlike my opponents, I intend to return our public safety to appropriate levels by expanding our tax base and not by raising taxes. My programs, projects and expenditures will be paid for and sustainable. My ideas on economic development will focus on expanding the job base and the tax base of Fall River through economic diversity. The citizens of Fall River are hardworking and independent and our local government needs to follow their lead. Fall River can do better.

Statement

Steve Camara for Fall River

Principled Leadership . . .

Advancing Hope and Confidence in Fall River

Bringing people together to assure the “people’s interests” prevail will be the mode of governing from a Steve Camara Administration.

Fall River’s history is one of “special interests” controlling our community’s resources and wealth.

Education, Economic Development, Public Safety and Public Works suffer when decision-making fails to provide for “the people’s interest”.

As a School Committee member, City Councillor and private citizen, Steve Camara has demonstrated his commitment to the people’s needs. Protecting the character and integrity of Fall River’s neighborhoods is central to Steve Camara’s willingness to provide “Principled Leadership . . . advancing Hope and Confidence in Fall River”.

Steve Camara has led neighborhood residents, leaders and organizations to provide cleaner and safer places to live, work and visit.

He has invested time, effort and money to return historic properties into decent and affordable housing as well as small businesses that create jobs. Steve Camara’s emphasis on small businesses comes from his affiliation with his family’s business, The Robeson IGA Supermarket, that provided three (3) decades of honesty, quality service and products to its many customers.

Also, Steve Camara’s Administration will support artists in establishing places to live, work and sell their creative work. Small businesses and the creative economy are the most consistent and fastest growing segments of our economy. Steve Camara will lead Fall River into the future with jobs for Fall River’s residents at its foundation.

September 15th – Vote Steve Camara for Mayor!

Statement:

There are many challenges that lay before us that make serving as your Mayor difficult, but none that make it any less rewarding.

In these difficult times, we need to work especially hard. We must make Fall River better today than it was the day before. And we will.

We have accomplished much in the first term. We have made strides in education through the opening of the Community Learning Center. We have worked to create jobs, through the successful roll out of the FREE program that includes the harnessing energy from the Quequechan River, the new restaurant loop, the arts overlay district, and through public/private partnerships on various other projects. We can all look around and be proud of what we’ve helped to build.

This is a time for serious leadership. We need a Mayor who will bring people together, build consensus and be willing to try new things. I believe I have been that Mayor and I know that I will continue to be. I ask you for your consideration and vote in the upcoming elections.

Statement

I was raised in our neighborhoods and educated in our public schools. As the Assistant Attorney for Taunton, I gained valuable experience as an advisor to the mayor, the police and fire chief, and all the departments within city government. As an Assistant District Attorney I had the responsibility of supervising the Fall River District Court. It was my responsibility to go into the courtroom on a daily basis to prosecute the criminals who plagued our neighborhoods. I have made a strong commitment to public service and it is this commitment that has led me into the race for mayor here in our city. The level of trust between this administration and its citizens is dwindling daily. As Mayor, I will encourage honesty and integrity in local government. I will roll up my sleeves and be hands-on in creating good paying jobs for Fall River residents. I will be proactive when it comes to public safety. I will fight to increase the level of staffing in both our fire and police departments. I will end the illegal rainwater tax that has burdened our property owners. When it comes to education, I will include input from our parents, teachers, and students. During these difficult financial times, I will work hard to ensure that our streets are paved and that our trash is picked up on time. Together, we will end the culture of politics as usual and bring real change to our city. I hope to earn your vote on Tuesday, September 15, 2009.

Statement:

In January, 2008, a new administration took office and like many of you, I had high hopes for this administration.

This administration came into office inheriting a surplus of over 11 million dollars. The new mayor promised not to raise taxes and he vowed to move Fall River forward.

Today, the 11 million dollars are gone, he has gone back on his no tax increase promise and he has moved Fall River in one direction — reverse.

In the past, when the city was in a crisis, we were always able to show solidarity. That solidarity has been replaced by a tangled disarray of broken promises. As mayor, I will end the blame-game and overbearing style of government; I will do things differently. There will be no gag orders, or Kangaroo courts that embarrassed the city. Schools will not be re-named without public input. A petition signed by over 9,000 residents will not be ignored. High-salaried administrators and lawyers will be cut and laid-off police officers, firefighters and DPW workers will be returned to work. The unfair rain tax will end and no one will be asked to pay higher taxes for less services.

In seeking the office of Mayor, I do so with an optimism that Fall River’s best days are ahead. We must work together, set the right priorities, challenge the existing conditions and put people first.

Together, let’s chart a new course and lead Fall River in the right direction.
Vote Ray Hague September, 15.

Statement:

Restore honesty and integrity back to city hall

Save Fall River 25 million dollars annually

Repair all city streets and water mains

Repeal storm water fee

Restore police, fire and D.P.W. to full strength and insure they have the equipment, training and funding to surpass the needs of the publics interest and safety

Bring 4,500 new jobs in addition to the current jobs arriving

NO LNG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Build a Gulf War Memorial Park Honoring our fallen from Operations Desert Shield/Storm

Full transparency of the cities’ budget online for the accountability towards the taxpayers

Monthly town meetings to listen for complaints, ideas and suggestions from the residents to improve our city

Lower property taxes

Build a parking garage at the corner of Rock and Bedford streets more revenue for the city coffers

Fall River going green, starting with the municipalities, solar and wind power. More money saved for the tax payers from utility bills, self supporting jobs created and more revenue in city coffers

Working with SRTA in a reorganization of public transportation, longer operating hours, more stops with multiple transfer stations, smaller routes and buses and sheltered bus stops

Good by Mt. Trash More!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! By building several incinerators that are environmentally friendly to create electrical power to our city and sell to neighboring towns. Creating more jobs and revenue

NHRA track at the airport which will bring tourism, create an addition place for our city citizens to go with friends and family. More jobs and revenue for the city

NO NEW FEES, NO NEW TAXES AND NO INCREASED TAXES. YES, it can be done.

The possibility of a Hollywood movie studio being built right here in Fall River bringing more jobs! Yes, it can be done

Work with the school dept for all the children to graduate high school, zero dropout policy we must support our children’s hopes, dreams and future

Working with the housing authority in conjunction with the economic development authority to level old complexes making way for private homes and refurbishing old school building into affordable housing: More jobs

Protect and insure all the needs of our city elders are exceeded, not just met

Working with colleges to bring more satellite campuses and degree programs to Fall River, better education in arms reach with easy access and more jobs

Disability access and safety across our city

Statement

Hi, I’m Cathy Ann Viveiros and, with your help, I hope to be the next mayor of Fall River. I’ve lived here for over 50 years, attended our schools, raised a family, earned a Masters degree in Business and along the way served almost 8 years on the City Council.

People have asked me, “Why do you want to be Mayor now?” Everyone recognizes that these are difficult financial times. My response is always the same. ”With every challenge comes opportunity.’ It is with determined optimism that I see a promising future for our City.

My personal and professional life experiences have taught me much. I’ve learned that leaders must be good listeners in order to take full advantage of the knowledge and experience around them. No one person has all the answers, and elected officials are no exception.

After listening to you I believe more than ever that our fiscal challenges can be met, enabling us to:

1) Concentrate on public safety as our top priority.

2) Cut highly paid lawyers and administrators, reduce wasteful spending and restore essential services.

3) Change job retention and job creation strategies that haven’t worked.

4) Allow teachers to focus more directly on children, not just the MCAS test

5) Reduce the economic drain caused by excessive transient subsidized housing.

Collectively, we have the ability to do almost anything. As Mayor, I will reach out to you. As partners, we will create new opportunities to make Fall River a great city, once again.

Statement:

I, Kris Bartley ask for your vote on Election Day to move our city forward. By identifying our strengths and weaknesses to develop solid action plans based on strategy, execution, and follow up, together we can improve the quality of life here in Fall River.

A lifelong resident of the Fall River, I am proud to call our city home and the people I call neighbors. Married to Laurie LaFleur Bartley, we are proud parents to our son Braeden. I have many enjoyable memories of my childhood growing up as the older of two children here in the city and will work to ensure the children of Fall River can enjoy their youth as I did.

As your City Councilor, I will work aggressively, creatively, and with a fresh perspective to strengthen Fall River’s economy, neighborhoods, and future. I believe we need to learn from the past and develop new and innovative approaches to local government. I will work toward creating fiscally responsible local government that is in favor of the regionalization of services and purchasing, eliminating redundant or unnecessary positions, and reducing overall costs to run the city. I prefer to do business in an environment that holds individuals accountable and is responsible to the citizens of our city.

I respectfully ask for you vote on September 15th and in turn, I am committed to providing to you, the citizens of Fall River, better representation for better results.