News in brief BANGOR: COUNCIL CANDIDATE DROPS OUT OF NOVEMBER RACE

The election campaigns for three residents seeking a seat on the City Council this fall became a lot easier after a fourth candidate chose not to run. In this year’s council elections, set for Nov. 8, voters will fill the expiring positions of Frank Farrington, Richard D. Greene and Dan Tremble. Tremble is not eligible to seek another term under the city charter, which requires councilors take at least a year off after serving two consecutive terms. Farrington, Greene and former Councilor Gerry G.M. Palmer Jr. submitted qualified nomination papers for City Council. David R. Smith, a newcomer to city politics who also qualified for a spot on the ballot, has withdrawn his name from the contest, leaving three candidates for the three openings, according to City Clerk Patti Dubois. The school side of the ballot remains unchanged, Dubois said. Voters will fill the expiring school committee seats now held by Susan Carlisle, Phyllis S. Guerette and Christine H. Szal. Guerette and Szal are seeking re-election to the school committee. Also vying for seats are John B. Miller and C. Jeffery Wahlstrom. (Dawn Gagnon, BDN)