Cathy Ann Viveiros for Mayor of Fall River [OPINION]

I seldom endorse candidates in local races but sometimes I make an exception. This is one such time.

Fall River City Administrator Cathy Ann Viveiros has decided to launch a longshot write-in campaign for Mayor of Fall River. I don't know why she would want the job but she does and she is undeniably the most qualified for it.

Viveiros was born and raised in Fall River and has run unsuccessfully for mayor several times in the past. She was never a favorite of the "good old boys" and that probably didn't help much.

Viveiros served multiple terms on the Fall River City Council before joining the administration of Will Flanagan six years ago as City Administrator. When Flanagan was removed from office, Viveiros remained as Sam Sutter's City Administrator and then Jasiel Correia's.

Viveiros has steered the city through one political crisis after another for six years. She has served as two mayors were recalled and one was turned away by voters after only nine months in office. During that period, Fall River made unarguable progress towards economic recovery and measurable progress in turning around a troubled school system. Cathy Ann Viveiros was at the helm.

There are those that would argue that Viveiros is somehow in cahoots with Jasiel Correia in a scheme to split the vote to keep Paul Coogan from being elected mayor. Hogwash. Cathy Ann Viveiros is no stooge. She has seen first hand how mayors come and go. She wants the position so that she can continue that work that she has begun. To suggest that CAV is doing all of this simply to help a man retain power is also sexist.

Viveiros has earned an opportunity to be mayor and is by far the most qualified individual for that position bar none. Fall River voters should move forward by writing in Cathy Ann Viveiros for mayor on November 5.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.