Four in Seekonk Town Clerk Race

The contest to fill the vacant Town Clerk position includes four candidates. The winner in the April 1 election will serve the remainder of Florice Craig’s term. Craig retired last December. Profiles are below.

Sandra Escaler
Escaler has been a member of the town planning board for three years. She serves as Vice Clerk. “As part of the board, I have to abide by conflict of interest law, open meeting law, Ma general laws, follow zoning by-laws and town’s rules & regulations,” Escaler said, noting she would like to modernize the town clerk’s office.

Escaler has a background in record-keeping, compliance, management and administrative proficiency.  “I offer a unique blend of expertise tailored to meet the needs of our town,” she noted. “I completed election training in February conducted by the state, so I am fully prepared to take on the responsibilities of Chief Election Officer as the Town Clerk. My fluency in both Portuguese and Spanish allows me to better serve the town to those that need it when visiting the clerk's office for services. If elected, I would proudly become the first Town Clerk in our town with this language proficiency.” 

Escaler wants to ensure that voters have access to detailed information about election candidates. Through initiatives such as voter guides, candidate forums, public announcements, and voter education videos.

She said she is “committed to empowering voters to make informed decisions during elections and to increase voter turnout.” 

Escaler is married and has three children. “It's reassuring to feel part of a community where people genuinely care about each other,” Escaler added. “Having family and friends nearby adds to that sense of connection and support, making it feel like a true hometown.”

Kristen L‘Heureux
L’Heureux began her municipal experience 22 years ago at the Seekonk Public Library. “My first position was serving as the Administrative Assistant for the Library Director and subsequently became a Customer Service Representative,” L’Heureux said. “The experience as a Customer Service Representative helped me realize the importance of serving the public and helping others in a professional capacity.”

“My goals for the Town Clerk’s office would be to serve as a dependable steward of the town’s vital records and ensure the accuracy and fairness of all elections,” L’Heureux noted. “If elected to the role of Town Clerk, I will also make it a priority to seek opportunities to increase voter turnout at all town elections/meetings. I will prioritize the education of our youth on topics such as voter registration and the importance participating in the electoral process.”

L’Heureux has lived in Seekonk for 50 years. She is married and has one child.  “The town of Seekonk has always had an incredible sense of community, family values and mutual respect,” L’Heureux added. “I cannot think of a better place to raise a family. I firmly believe it is our responsibility to pass along our tradition of community and family values to the future generation of Seekonk residents.”

John Pozzi
Pozzi believes his experience working for the town makes him qualifies to serve as Town Clerk. He worked for the Seekonk Police Department as a Special Police Officer for 23 years and was Director of the Parks and Recreation Department on a full-time basis for three years and part-time for another three.

“I know how the town operates,” Pozzi said. “I know the Assistant Town Clerk very well. I spoke with Florice before she left. It’s one of those quiet positions in town but it’s an important position in town. They were invaluable with the help that they provided.”

Pozzi obtained an Associates degree from CCRI and a Bachelors’ degree in Criminal Justice from Roger Williams University. He has lived in town most of his life. His wife Pam is a member of the Select Board.

Pozzi is also a member of the Department of Public Works (DPW) Building Committee. “I think the employees that work for the town are invaluable,” he added. “They go above and beyond with the staffing levels that they have.”

Christopher Rizzo
Rizzo, who had been employed as a senior manager for a biotechnology company, said he is “meticulous” in his work. He graduated from Carnegie-Mellon University with a degree in Chemical Engineering and obtained a graduate degree in engineering management from Tufts University.

Being Town Clerk has many similarities, Rizzo explained. “It’s a very, very in-depth process. It takes a lot of time and effort and it has to be put in to make sure it’s done correctly.”

Rizzo’s wife Lisa is a candidate for school committee. The couple has two young sons. “The community here has been great,” Rizzo noted. “I think Seekonk has done a really good job of keeping our open spaces accessible.”

Rizzo hopes to achieve “slow, incremental change” in the Town Clerk’s office. “For me, it’s about basic governance,” he said. “One of the roles of the Clerk is to be able to keep all the minutes (of boards and committees). That way our citizens can really be informed. Having an engaged and informed public is really one of the mainstays of our democracy.”