By GALEN McGOVERN

HOPKINTON – There were no new faces in the Hopkinton Town Council race,
especially with four incumbents running (Vinnie Cordonne decided not to
run this term). Since the incumbents all won – the only new face on the
council is William Felkner.

And Felkner is a familiar face and name around town as he has been serving
on the Chariho School Committee.  He has a reputation for challenging the
school administration and unions.
As a result of Felkner’s victory, someone will have to be appointed to his
school board seat.
Council results

Sylvia Thompson(D) received the highest number of votes with 2,282 or 16.8
percent. Thomas Buck came in second with 2,180 votes or 16 percent. Next
highest was Beverly Kenney(D) with 2,130 votes or 15.6 percent. Rounding
out the final two slots were Barbara Capalbo (I) and William Felkner (I)
with 2,117 (15.8 percent) and 1,794 (13.2 percent) votes respectively.

Two candidates running failed in their bid to become councilors – Scott
Bill Hirst(R) and George Abbott. They had 1,595 (11.7 percent) and 1,513
(11.1 percent) votes respectively.
Though he came in last in the council race, Abbott currently serves on the
school board and will retain his seat there.

Perhaps Hirst will consider the school board slot being vacated by Felkner.
In the race for State Representative District 38 (Hopkinton, Westerly)
incumbent Brian Patrick Kennedy easily beat his opponent Nancy Richmond –
2,288 votes (63.2 percent) to 1,335 (36.8 percent).

In the race for State Senate District 34 (Hopkinton, Charlestown,
Richmond, Exeter, West Greenwich), Republican Francis T. Maher beat
Socialist Jonathan R. Osborne in a landslide - 2,166 votes (77.4 percent)
to 632 (22.6 percent).

In the federal election, Hopkinton's picks all held steady with those made
in other towns. Democrat incumbent Sen. Jack F. Reed  handily took down
his Republican opponent Robert G. Tingle - 2,411 votes (66.9 percent) to
1,195 (33.1 percent). And Democrat incumbent Rep. James R. Langevin,
District 2, easily defeated Republican Mark S. Zaccaria - 2,376 votes
(66.5 percent) to 1,198 (33.5 percent).

The biggest surprise of the day was the fact that two parts of the school
bond passed in Hopkinton – see related article on page 1-A. The RYSE
school proved to be the sticky wicket and this bond was narrowly defeated
by 78 votes.

Voter turnout was on the high side – at 59 percent.