manley099/Getty Images
After 70-year-old Port Matilda Mayor Bob Wiser forgot to remove his name from the ballot in August he found himself forced to run in the town’s upcoming election, unopposed.
A small-town mayor in central Pennsylvania is blasting an unusual campaign message to voters: Don’t vote for me.
Despite this provocative approach, Bob Wiser actually means it.
After the 70-year-old mayor of Port Matilda forgot to remove his name from the ballot in August he found himself forced to run in the town’s upcoming election.
RELATED: ELECTION BALLOTS PRINTED IN TINY 6-POINT TYPE
Adding to his trouble is the fact that he’s unopposed.
“At my age, I don’t need to be stressed out,” he told the Centre Daily was one reason behind his decision not to tackle a second term.
Since 2009 Wiser has actively presided over the small town of approximately 155,000 citizens after the previous major of 10 years abruptly retired and moved away.
Wiser, who was the borough secretary of the time, was appointed to fill his spot by the Borough Council — which he now feels he butts heads with too much — and was elected after a successful write-in campaign.
“I really enjoyed doing it,” he told the paper of the job he says he’s been proud to hold.
But eventually, “I just lost my interest,” he said.
RELATED: ‘PHONY’ COUNCILWOMAN WILL STAY ON BALLOT
After missing the deadline to remove his name, Wiser is now frantically hoping to sway voters away from him and write in a qualified alternative candidate of their choice instead.
“I hope somebody with the qualifications steps up, puts their hat in the ring and decides to do it,” he told the paper.
If Wiser fails in his bid to not be elected come Nov. 5, he does have the option of retiring. Election officials say they will appoint an interim mayor in such a case.
ngolgowski@nydailynews.com With News Wire Services
http://newyork.greatlocalnews.info/?p=16044
via Great Local News: New York http://newyork.greatlocalnews.info
No comments:
Post a Comment