It’s official – long-time New Bedford at-Large City Councilor Brian Gomes has officially filed to run for at-Large city council and mayor in the same October 1 preliminary election (though he can still withdraw by 5 pm on Sep 3). He filed last Friday, the last possible day to officially file. It’s a bold, calculated move by Gomes, that will at a minimum result in interesting debates. There are now six people running for New Bedford mayor.

Running for both spots is legal and makes sense if you are Brian Gomes. Most people in New Bedford could not pull it off without paying a price politically, but Gomes finished with the most votes in the New Bedford at-Large race in 2017. You only need to finish in the top 5 in the at-Large race to get elected to office and I’m certain Gomes feels confident in achieving that.

There is little doubt to me, that someone like Gomes, Ian Abreu or Linda Morad, could run for at-Large and mayor at the same time and still get elected to the city council. Mayor is a different animal.

Most who follow politics in New Bedford would say that Gomes has little chance of beating incumbent mayor Jon Mitchell, but I don’t think his chances fall into the long-shot category. Sure, Gomes has very little campaign money ($19.96) and Mitchell has well over $200,000 in his war chest, but money isn’t everything (though it REALLY helps!). Mitchell hasn’t been in a real election since 2011 where he faced then Ward 1 councilor Linda Morad (now City Council President for 2 straight years) and State Legislature Tony Cabral. Since then he ran unopposed and went on to defeat Maria Giesta and Charlie Perry fairly easily. Gomes would make things more difficult for Mitchell.

Some will get angry at Gomes for running for two spots in this year’s ballot because a special election would cost $50,000-60,000, but I can’t blame him. It’s a low risk, high reward strategy. After losing his job at St. Luke’s hospital (he’s currently in a lawsuit against the hospital), he’s now working as a security guard and still holds his City Council position. This year’s mayoral race is for a 4-year term at $113,285 a year.

Factor in annual pay increases and you are talking about a 4-year term worth nearly a half a million dollars, quit the increase in pay for Gomes. I can’t blame him for attempting a political move that would increase his income 2-3 fold without really risking his at-Large seat. City Councilors make $23,498 a year and security guards are generally paid by the hour. Wouldn’t you want to swap out two jobs for one while earning three-times the income?

Gomes’s biggest issue will be if he somehow wins both the mayor race and gets an at-Large city council spot. He’d have to pick one and that means the at-Large seat would be open in a special election. Manny DeBrito of the New Bedford Elections Office has stated that a special election would cost the city $50,000-60,000 – not the best way to start off your 4-year mayoral term.

Six residents officially filed to run for Mayor of New Bedford by today’s 5 pm deadline. For the first time, the winner will serve four years instead of two.

Four-term incumbent Jon Mitchell, Michael Medeiros, Richard Tyson Moultrie, Jose Perez, and David Pimental filed officially by today’s 5 pm deadline. Current at-Large city councilor Brian Gomes filed officially for mayor and at-Large City Council. Michael Janson did not file officially for mayor but did turn in papers for at-Large City Council.

At least three candidates were needed for a preliminary election on October 1. Candidates still have until September 3rd to withdraw their nomination, so the preliminary election is likely, but not certain. The top two vote-getters in the preliminary election will move on to the November 5 municipal election.

Current New Bedford at-Large City Councilor Brian Gomes has officially filed to run for mayor and at-Large City Council. Legally, he can run for both positions. If he wins both races, he would have to decide which position to fill and a special election would occur for the other seat.

Gomes was the top vote-getter in the 2017 New Bedford at-Large race and would likely finish in the top 5 in 2017 even while running two campaigns.

Today at 5 pm is the deadline for candidates to file officially. Steven Martins still needs to file officially.

Seven are running for mayor and twelve for at-Large city council. Candidates have until Tuesday to withdraw their filings.

Mayor Mitchell will hold neighborhood office hours for the month of August on Tuesday, August 27, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Cafe Roma, 3371 Acushnet Avenue.

Mayor Mitchell announced he would set aside time each month to hold office hours in city neighborhoods so that residents could meet with him outside of normal business hours and in their own neighborhood.

In his State of the City last year, the Mayor announced that a new format of office hours would be established, inviting residents to join him at local restaurants in different neighborhoods of the city. Food will be available at the office hours.

City residents are invited to attend the neighborhood office hours to meet with Mayor Mitchell directly and share their concerns and ideas, as well as a bite to eat. The sessions are open to all New Bedford residents, no advance appointments are required and meetings with the Mayor will be done on a first come, first served basis.

Six residents submitted nomination papers to run for Mayor of New Bedford by today’s 5 pm deadline. For the first time, the winner will serve four years instead of two.

Four-term incumbent Jon Mitchell, Michael Medeiros, Richard Tyson Moultrie, and Jose Perez turned in signatures and filed officially.

Current at-Large city councilor Brian Gomes and Michael Janson turned in signatures for at-Large city council and mayor. David Pimental submitted his nomination papers for mayor but has not officially filed. All three have until August 30th to file officially.

At least three candidates are needed for a preliminary election on October 1. Candidates still have until September 3rd to withdraw their nomination, so the preliminary election is likely, but not certain. The top two vote-getters in the preliminary election will move on to the November 5 municipal election.

Of note, current school committee member and vocal critic of Mayor Jon Mitchell pulled nomination papers but did not submit them to the election office by today’s 5 pm deadline.

Mayor Jon Mitchell is seeking to put in place the funding necessary to challenge the Parallel Products proposal in the New Bedford Business Park.

In a budget request slated to be considered at the City Council meeting tomorrow (Thursday, August 15), Mayor Mitchell proposed allocating a budget of $250,000 for legal representation for the City of New Bedford in opposing the company’s proposal to establish a new solid waste and biosolids processing facility on Duchaine Boulevard, near its existing glass recycling facility.

In June, the City of New Bedford moved to retain the Boston-based municipal law firm of KP Law, P.C. (formerly known as Kopelman & Paige) to oppose the Parallel Products proposal. KP Law has significant experience in working with the relevant state regulatory agencies, and the firm has established a strong record as serving as outside counsel to the City in other matters. Over the coming months, the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Office (MEPA) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will review the Parallel Products proposal.

“The proposed project would simply be too close to nearby neighborhoods and could harm the quality of life of their residents,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell. “We anticipate that state regulatory agencies will review the proposal in the coming months, and by having expert counsel ready at hand, we will be prepared to fight effectively on behalf of nearby residents.”

This morning, Mayor Jon Mitchell announced his re-election campaign through a video on his campaign Facebook page.

“Today I announce that I am running for re-election as mayor of New Bedford. Over the last few years, New Bedford has seen historic progress, and I am running for another term as your mayor so that we can see our work through.”

Mayor Mitchell will hold neighborhood office hours for the month of July on Thursday, July 25, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Celia’s Restaurant, 700 Kempton Street.

Mayor Mitchell announced he would set aside time each month to hold office hours in city neighborhoods so that residents could meet with him outside of normal business hours and in their own neighborhood.

In his State of the City last year, the Mayor announced that a new format of office hours would be established, inviting residents to join him at local restaurants in different neighborhoods of the city. Food will be available at the office hours.

City residents are invited to attend the neighborhood office hours to meet with Mayor Mitchell directly and share their concerns and ideas, as well as a bite to eat. The sessions are open to all New Bedford residents, no advance appointments are required and meetings with the Mayor will be done on a first come, first served basis.

The list of people who have pulled nomination papers to become New Bedford’s next mayor has grown to seven. Current mayor Jon Mitchell hasn’t pulled nomination papers yet, but he’s known to not make his decision public until late summer.

Richard Tyson Moultrie, Michael Medeiros, Jose Perez, David Pimentel, John Oliveira, and Iean Morgan pulled papers for mayor. Veteran candidate Michael Janson pulled papers for mayor and councilor-at-large. Janson typically gets enough signatures to run in either election but he has told me in the past that he waits for the final cut-off day to see if former mayor Scott Lang runs before deciding which race to enter. If Lang runs for mayor, then he will too.

The list of people pulling nomination papers is expected to grow as residents have until Aug. 16 pull and return nomination papers for the Oct. 1 primary election. At least three qualified candidates are needed to have a primary election.

Most people in New Bedford who pull nomination papers for elected office never turn them in, but the stakes are higher this year in the mayoral race. By a 6,904 to 6,127 vote, voters in 2017 voted to extend the term of the New Bedford mayor’s office from two years to four.

New Bedford residents considering a run for office to start with the New Bedford Election’s Office website and stop to get the process going.

Zeiterion Performing Arts Center is pleased to host the return of the Mayor’s Summer Movie Series, underwritten by Mayor Jon Mitchell, Wednesdays this summer. The series kicks off with Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory on July 31, followed by Forrest Gump on August 14, Glory on August 21, and Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid on August 28. Tickets are $3 and can be purchased by calling 508-994-2900, online at https://zeiterion.org/, or at the Zeiterion Box Office at 684 Purchase Street in New Bedford. Group sales of 10 tickets or more are available to select shows by calling 508-997-5664 x123.

The four feature films in the 2019 Mayor’s Summer Movie Series, which were chosen via an online poll, are:

Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
Wednesday, July 31, at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $3, General Admission

In a world of pure imagination, Gene Wilder stars as a mysterious candy maker who hides Golden Tickets inside five of his famous candy bars.

Forrest Gump
Wednesday, August 14, at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $3, General Admission

Tom Hanks gives an Oscar-winning performance as Forrest Gump, an everyman whose simple innocence comes to embody a generation.

Glory
Wednesday, August 21, at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $3, General Admission

Matthew Broderick and Denzel Washington star in this inspiring story of the first Black regiment to fight for the North in the Civil War.

Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid
Wednesday, August 28, at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $3, General Admission

Paul Newman and Robert Redford set the “buddy film” standard with this smash hit set in the Old West.

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The Zeiterion Performing Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to provide New Bedford and the region with performing arts programming of excellence that inspires, educates, engages and entertains. Tickets are available for purchase at www.zeiterion.org, by calling 508-994-2900, or in person at the box office at 684 Purchase Street, New Bedford, Mass. Zeiterion Box Office regular hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and two hours before each performance.