How Far Does It Go?

That's the question that won't be answered until Nov. 6. We can start guessing, though.

Voters delivered a pretty serious call for change in the preliminary election. The question, though, is how far does it go? Will the call effect the City Council races? Only one ward councilor is being challenged -- and by the former seat-holder -- but the at-large race is another story.

The depth of the voters' need for change is important, because when you look at the at-large field, it's an interesting field. You have four incumbents (including Jay Cruz, who was appointed to the seat earlier this year). You have a ward councilor in Stephan Hay looking to step up. You have an older former councilor in Rosemary Reynolds looking to return. You have an elected official on the School Committee in Marcus DiNatale looking to step up. Then you have Shaun Cormier and Patricia Carbone, the only two on the ballot not in office or in office in the past.

So, what are the voters looking for? Are they looking to change one or two particular incumbents, or are they looking to vote in a particular newcomer? A they looking for real, deep change, far away from the establishment, like a Cormier, or would DiNatale satisfy the need for change. Would Hay be considered change at all?

The mayor's race preliminary and the shocking results have dominated the political discussion, but the unknowns of the at-large race is particularly interesting right now.

So, who's in trouble, and who's not? Should there even be change on the City Council at this point? Is it a question of voting in someone better, or getting rid of people considered ineffective? That might be the entire best summarized. Discuss.