Ward 4 elect City Councilor Michael Burns (WNG file photo)
WESTFIELD—After two never-before city councilors faced off for the Ward Four City Council seat, Water Commissioner Michael Burns has won, according to unofficial city election results.
Burns beat out first-time candidate Dawn Thomas for the Ward Four City Council seat during yesterday’s election. The seat was previously occupied by incumbent Mary O’Connell, who opted not to run for reelection earlier in the year. The seat was also one of the most contested seats during this year’s city election, being the only one with a preliminary election preceding it.
Both Burns and Thomas were previously the top two vote-getters in the three-person preliminary race, garnering more votes than Bernard Fitzgerald-Rosenblum.
“I’m just really happy, ecstatic. Never give up, that’s what they teach you in the military,” Burns said.
Burns had run three other times for this seat before this year. However, this is Burns’ first win for the Ward Four Council seat.
Burns is also a current Water Commissioner for the city, having served in that position for eight years. In addition, Burns was in the military for 26 years, five years in the US Navy and 21 years in the US Air Force, where he eventually retired at the rank of master sergeant. He also works as a New England sales representative for an automotive group.
For Thomas, this was her first time running for the council. She came from a background in finance, with experiences including working as a Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for a company she has been with for over 35 years.
Dawn Carignan Thomas. (photo submitted)
Thomas also previously earned the Chamber of Commerce’s Business Woman of the Year in 2009 and has served on several local boards and commissions.
“Thank you to all the voters in ward four and all my supporters for the hours and hours of work, a lot of work,” Thomas said.
The voting breakdown is as follows, of the 1,221 total ballots cast:
-Burns received 652 total votes, 152 from Ward 4A and 500 from Ward 4B
-Thomas received 534 total votes, 111 from Ward 4A and 423 from Ward 4B
-34 blank ballots, 11 from Ward 4A and 23 from Ward 4B
-One write-in from Ward 4A
Amy Porter contributed to this story.
