Saddam gets write-in vote in Sherman

SHERMAN — Proving that just about anyone can get votes to hold political office in the United States, President Saddam Hussein of Iraq and former President Idi Amin of Uganda each picked up write-in votes during municipal elections held last Saturday in conjunction with the annual town meeting.

Both men, neither of whom has a very good reputation in the world community, got one vote each: Saddam for the Board of Selectmen and Amin for a post on the SAD 25 board.

“We have a sense of humor in Sherman,” said Town Manager Debra O’Roak, who also said the unusual votes are not the first. In the past, a character from a Saturday morning cartoon show also got a vote.

On the serious side of elections, Harold Gould Jr. was elected to a three-year term on the Board of Selectmen with 71 votes. He was the only formal candidate for the post. Lowell Smith received 14 write-in votes.

Brian T. McNally received 60 votes to be elected to a three-year term on the SAD 25 board. Like Gould, he was the only formal candidate running. Others receiving write-in votes were Jane Marie McNally, 13 votes; Carl McNally, eight votes; and Paul Qualey, five votes.

Most monetary warrant articles remained about the same as last year, O’Roak said, and there was little discussion.

“It was very, very quiet and over with in two hours,” she said of the afternoon business portion of the meeting, which was attended by 38 people, about 5 percent of those registered to vote in the town.

O’Roak said that 50 people managed to show up for the town meeting dinner.

Those who did attend the business meeting approved a $5,000 expenditure for the E-911 system to be used for new street signs and administrative costs. Another $5,000 was raised for the town’s new veterans memorial, which is expected to be ready for dedication in September at the annual Old Home Days celebration.