By AMANDA DRANE
NORTHAMPTON — While an impressive feat, the 103 signatures City Council hopeful Simon Thompson collected between noon and 5 p.m. Wednesday did not pass muster.
City Clerk Wendy Mazza and senior clerk Maryellen Scott said staff in the clerk’s office worked for over two hours Thursday to validate signatures, but in the end they could not because too many were illegible, some were unregistered, and others didn’t have a corresponding current address in the registrar of voters’ computer system.
“This happens all the time — people forget to change their address,” said Scott, adding that because Thompson collected signatures downtown he was working with a more transient population. “Sometimes it’s pretty difficult.”
Mazza said Thursday she has received validated signatures from Ryan O’Donnell and Blue Duval, two of the candidates for the at-large seat being vacated by Jesse Adams, meaning they are officially on the ballot. The other two candidates, Marlene Morin and Andrew Smith, have until Monday at 5 p.m. to pick up their validated signatures from the registrar of voters and carry them down the counter to Mazza. If they do so, the four candidates head to a preliminary election July 7 that will narrow the pool to two in advance of a final election Aug. 4.
“It’s unfortunate it didn’t work out the way I wanted it to, but honestly I’m inspired I was able to do what I did,” said Thompson, 30, a bartender at Bishop’s Lounge. “I heard from a lot of people — about their complaints and their love for the city. It was wonderful.”
Thompson said he will be watching city government closely and wishes all of the candidates well.
“I want the best for our city — that’s really all I’d like to see as an outcome,” said Thompson. “People can look forward to me running again in the near future.”
Amanda Drane can be contacted at adrane@gazettnet.com.