Below is the article-in-full from the Journal Inquirer, dated July 11, 2007. I hope to have a photo of Pam Cranford posted in the coming days.
DEMS ADD NEWCOMER TO SLATE
By: Kimberly Phillips , Journal Inquirer
MANCHESTER - Town Democrats are banking that Mayor Josh M. Howroyd will secure some votes this fall - not for himself, but for Pamela D. Cranford, who, party leaders announced Tuesday, will join five incumbents on the Democratic slate for Board of Directors.
"I think she'd be a wonderful addition to the board," Howroyd said Tuesday, saying Cranford, a 20-year resident, has "a lot of excellent qualifications that will be a benefit to the entire community."
Cranford works alongside Howroyd at the state Department of Children and Families, he said, and during the years the two co-workers often have stopped in the halls to talk about town issues. That's translated into a deeper political relationship - Howroyd has agreed to serve as her campaign manager since he's decided not to run for re-election.
"She's had an interest," Howroyd said of Cranford and civic issues. But there were two reasons keeping her from getting involved before - her sons.
Now, though, with one already having graduated from college and the other starting his junior year at Manchester High School, Howroyd said Cranford, who could not be reached for comment, decided this is her time.
In addition to working at DCF, Cranford has served on the town's Human Relations Commission, the Manchester Scholarship Foundation, and the town manager and assistant school superintendent search committees. She's also been active on the local Students of Color organization.
Town Chairman Ted Cummings said the party's nominating committee unanimously endorsed Cranford's nomination after interviewing her and considering three other candidates, all of whom stepped aside when they learned of her interest.
She will join Democrats David M. Sheridan, Kevin L. Zingler, Lisa Paggioli O'Neill, John D. Topping, and Jason E. Doucette to round out the committee's endorsement.
Typically, Cummings said, the nominating committee doesn't announce its selection of candidates until the night of the endorsement - Thursday, July 19, at 7:30 p.m. in Lincoln Center. But it finished its work about a week early, and in fairness to the town committee decided to make the announcement.
While the nominating committee's endorsement likely will get support from the entire town committee, other candidate nominations for director will be taken from the floor on July 19.
"It's going to be a very exciting campaign that will offer the people a clear choice," Cummings said, calling Cranford a "top-notch lady."
"We're fortunate to have such talent to choose from."
It's expected that Board of Education incumbents Margaret H. Hackett, Linette Small-Miller, Geoffrey R. Luxenberg, Michael E. Pohl, and Carl Stafford will be endorsed for the ballot. Cummings said the nominating committee is reviewing the school board's slate of candidates now.
Candidates for Board of Selectmen and constable also will be endorsed during the meeting.
