Ron Morgese’s District 8 seat became vacant last month, and five candidates are now competing to fill it. On Wednesday evening, the city council chamber at city hall hosted presentations from all five District 8 residents seeking the position. John O’Brien, Joe Roman, David Rudolph, Dan Cortell and Mike Nappo each delivered five-minute speeches outlining their qualifications and vision for the role. The council, which will make the appointment, heard from the candidates, followed by a question and answer session open to both the public and council members. This vetting process is anticipated to be lengthy.
Following the question and answer period, candidates delivered their five-minute summations. O’Brien, a lifelong city resident living at 7 Boatswains Way on Admiral’s Hill, has held positions in municipal government including the School Committee and City Council. He previously served on the former Chelsea Redevelopment Authority and currently participates as a member and financial supporter of the Friends of the Chelsea Public Library. In his professional career, O’Brien retired as a Suffolk County court officer and served as past president of the court officer’s union. He is known as a fiscal conservative and a law and order advocate.