Smith v. Smedile
for N. A. Selectman
Valley Patriot Staff

While North Andover School Commit-teeman Al Perry has no challenger for his seat, Selectman Rosemary Smedile is facing a familiar face to the voters in her bid for reelection.

Joe Edward Smith, an engineer by trade and a union Democrat, says his campaign is about open government and representing issues important to the town voters. “There is a big difference between Ms. Smedile and myself,” he said. “Before the voters decide who will represent them on March 30th it is important that they know what those difference are.”  

“I opposed the trash transfer station and Ms. Smedile supported it.” Smith also said Smedile supported leasing half the airport land adding, “the people of North Andover clearly wanted it sold off. It is important to represent the people of the town and act on their behalf."

Smith says he opposes $95,000 in raises for nonunion employees "especially at a time when we are talking about laying off fire and police. Ms. Smedile supports the raises.There is a clear difference between the two of us and I intend to campaign hard to let the people know what those differences are.”  

Rosemary Smedile is finishing up her first term on the Board of Selectmen. She is campaigning on her experience and accomplishments. “I’m very proud of my accomplishments,” Smedile said. “I helped to write the most restrictive regulations for adult entertainment in the country. I negotiated with BrooksSchool for a new police cruiser and I am very proud of the fact that North Andover’s bond rating has improved during the roughest economic period in years.”  

During a televised debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters, Smedile talked about the town’s need for low income housing. Smith said he concerned about the state's 40B statute overriding local zoning laws. Smith is a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals.  

The two also differed on the trash transfer station. “It is really a recycling facility that will separate construction material,” Smedile said. She also lamented that there was “a lot of misinformation” about the facility. “It will pose no health hazard to the town,” she said. Smith, however, said the Board of Selectmen shouldn’t be making the decisions about the trash facility, “I think it should be left up to the Board of Health. It's a Board of Health issue. I think we should put it in the hands of the health professionals and let them decide.”
 
Smedile, who is a registered Republican, has lost much of her support from fellow Republicans who actively worked to get her elected three years ago. Members of the Republican Town Committee said they are not supporting Smedile this year because she actively campaigned for a four million-dollar proposition 2 ½ override to increase school spending.   

Finally, with respect to the issue of open government, Joe Smith said he would have accepted the invitation of the Finance Committee to hold a public forum to discuss the FY'05 town budget. Ms. Smedile voted not to participate.

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