Smaller communities look to write-ins to fill municipal posts

SHAPLEIGH – This election deadlock was resolved amicably.

When Mona and Bruce Lamb each received four write-in votes for a seat on the town’s recreation committee, officials decided the couple should decide for themselves.

Smaller towns are having a harder time filling seats on minor boards and committees. The result is that more officials are being chosen through write-ins. Sometimes it takes just one or two votes to win a seat.

“It is something our organization is concerned about,” said Michael Starn, a spokesman for the Maine Municipal Association. “To have a healthy government, it is important to have people interested. A lot of people need to be involved in order for it to work. And there are fewer and fewer people doing that.”

In Shapleigh, the recreation committee runs the town’s sporting events, takes care of facilities and solicits selectmen for the money for department events.

The Lambs both have been active in the department for the past seven years.

They said they hope more people will become involved in their communities.

“People today are just so busy with their own lives,” Mona said. “I don’t think they realize it really doesn’t involve that much time. The same two people can’t keep doing all the work.”

The members of the recreation committee generally are selected through write-ins.

Also chosen in the March 9 election were Kimberly Tate with 19 votes and Pat Robichaud with two votes.

The Lambs decided that Mona should take the position.

“I’ve got enough things to do,” said Bruce Lamb, explaining why he agreed to Mona taking the job.

But actually, Bruce Lamb may still be in. Andrew Shackley, who received the most votes, wasn’t sure whether he would take the position, according to Town Clerk Joanne Rankin.

“I think they’ll be an excellent addition to the committee,” said Karl Robinson, a member of the committee.

Robinson, by the way, was elected to his seat with three write-in votes.

So who voted for the Lambs?

Robinson won’t say whether he voted for either of them. Mona didn’t make it to the polls in time to vote.

Bruce, meanwhile, said he did not write-in his own name. Doesn’t that leave him open for writing in Mona’s name?

“I don’t want to say that,” he said.