By JON BAKER

LINCOLN — Just a few weeks ago, John Barr II — a vociferous Democrat determined to upend gambling expansion at Twin River and kill the proposed Blackstone Valley courthouse — announced his candidacy for the position of town administrator come November.

ohn J. Cullen announced he will oppose Barr and, apparently, incumbent T. Joseph Almond, a Republican, in the upcoming election.
Following new Police Chief Brian Sullivan’s swearing-in ceremony, held Monday at Town Hall, Almond stated he wouldn’t make his decision official yet, but did claim he probably would seek another term.
“It is with humility and a strong sense of caring and dedication for the well-being of Lincoln citizens that I declare my candidacy to be your public servant as Lincoln town administrator,” Cullen stated in a press release. “I support open and transparent government.”
Items to his platform included: Charter changes that strengthen local authority; a competitive bid process for all town property; taxing the … Lincoln casino at seven percent of (its) gross income; recall amendment for elected officials; all town contracts, including schools, approved by Town Council after public hearings; abolition of property tax, and fund town budget on an ability-to-pay system; foreclosure on the Route 116 H&H Screw property and use it for a new police station and public works facility; local voter initiatives to strengthen the people’s voice in town matters; and monthly “listening” sessions with Lincoln voters.
“The recent vote by the Rhode Island Senate and the votes of Lincoln senators … to expand Lincoln casino gambling to 24 hours, despite the 65 percent vote by the Lincoln community
not to allow (it) … shows the utmost contempt our two senators have for the Lincoln voters,” he wrote in that release. “Before out referendum on 24.7 casino operations (on Nov. 10), Gov. (Donald) Carcieri had stated that he would not support 24-hour gambling unless it had Lincoln support.
“On March 15, 2008, at the Rhode Island Statewide Coalition winter meeting, I asked Gov. Carcieri to keep his pledge to the Lincoln community and veto 24-hour gambling (at Twin River),” he added. “We will now see if he will keep his promise. If he fails to do so, then he has deceived us, and aborted the democratic process.
“Nevertheless, I will continue to fight the state’s creeping, full-blown casino and the hotels that are bound to come.”
Cullen also noted he has a Web site entitled “electjohncullen.com,” and he will conduct a May 3 fundraiser breakfast at Kirkbrae Country Club.
As for the Town Council, only John Flynn, a Democrat representing District 2 (Lonsdale) since January of 2007, has said he would seek re-election, and has coined his campaign slogan as “One Good Term Deserves Another.”
“When I ran for the Town Council in the last election, I promised to work for the people, and I have accomplished just about everything I promised … All of these accomplishments could only have been achieved with the support and cooperation of the other (council) members and Administrator Almond. In fact, Administrator Almond deserves much of the credit for some initiatives that we had as a common goal.
“Issues that I promised to work on when I campaigned that have been accomplished, or in process, include a new senior center; a neighborhood traffic safety program; upgrading the Lonsdale Playground; additional ball fields; a program for curb replacement; a sidewalk repair and replacement program; and the creation of a redevelopment agency,” he added.
Flynn has served as as chairman of the Public Safety Committee, and as a member of the Ordinance, Claims and Town Administrator’s Capital Improvement committees. That latter group soon will be completing a recommended Calpital Improvement Plan to be approved by the Town Council.
“I believe the people of District 2 (Lonsdale) have found me to be very responsive to their concerns,” he said. “I follow through on every issue.”
James Jahnz, a 35-year-old Democrat who has represented District 4 (Albion, Quinville and a section of Lime Rock) since January of 2007, stated only “While I’m not ready to make a formal announcement yet, I do anticipate running for re-election. I’ve really enjoyed my time on the Town Council.”
Neither Council President Jeremiah T. O’Grady nor fellow member Keith Macksoud would make such declarations -- at least not yet.
“It’s still too early,” said O’Grady, a Democrat and for three-plus years a representative of District 1 (Saylesville). “I still need to speak with my wife and look at home and work schedules. I have a two-year-old daughter who’s going on three, and obviously I want to spend time with my family. Life is all about achieving balance, and I want to think it through.
“I will say this past term has been very rewarding, and I think we’ve established a level of cooperation and good working relations with the town, those that have been absent for a while,” he added. “Things are running smoothly. You don’t want to walk away from a good thing, but -- again -- I’m still in a decision-making mode.”
Macksoud, an Independent in District 3 (Lime Rock), offered “there’s a high probability I’ll run again for a third term in office, though I haven’t decided yet.”
Ronald McKenna, another Independent representing District 5 (Manville), was unavailable for comment.