Candidates for Precinct 1 Interviews Cancelled by Storm

Tuesday night there were supposed to be interviews from the candidates for the Precinct 1 Council seat, but as Mother Nature would have it, it snowed, and the interviews with the Appointments, Commissions and Committees subcommittee were cancelled.

According to Town Council President Ron Vecchia candidates Nick Bracy of Franklin Street, and Richard Ferrino of North Avenue have submitted letters and resumes to the Town Council, and they have made themselves known to council members.

Both candidates have been active in town affairs and grew up calling Winthrop home.

Bracy has been a member of the Winthrop Licensing Board for three years and active with the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce helping with fundraisers such as A Taste of Winthrop and A Sip of Winthrop. He is employed with a data software company.

“Given the opportunity to fill Michael MCDuffee’s seat, I vow to do so with the same integrity and tenacity, an honor to the great work he did in his time on the Town Council,” Bracy, 36, said in a letter. “My platform is ethical responsible government that represents the residents of Winthrop.”

Ferrino, 57, has lived in Precinct 1 for the past 30 years and is employed as the assistant chief of probation in Salem Court.

He has been active in town affairs over the years with the Historical Commission (chairman at one time), Parks & Recreation, the Memorial Committee and the Winthrop Housing Authority.

He also worked on the town’s Capital Improvements Committee, the Dalrymple School Reuse Study, the E.B. Newton Reuse Committee. He was also a Town Meeting member for over 25 years. He currently serves on a UMass-Lowell Advisory Board for Humanities and Science. Ferrino is a member of the Freedom Foundation and served on the Dom Savio Prep School board.

“I want the issues of my neighbors to be heard,” Ferrino said.

It is the intent of the council to vote on the position at its Feb. 19 meeting.

Vecchia said each candidate will have a few minutes to speak before the vote.

The seat is open due to the passing of Councilor Michael McDuffee, who had served a year.