ELECTION 2011: BENSON, WETHERBEE STILL WEIGHING OPTIONS

By CHELSEY POLLOCK
Union Leader Correspondent

BENSON

WETHERBEE

DERRY -- Candidate filing periods open next Wednesday, with two seats up for grabs on both the Town Council and School Board in the March election.
Current council Chairman Brad Benson and Vice Chairman Neil Wetherbee will see their three-year terms expire this year. Neither has committed to another run for office.
“I’d like to run, and I’m leaning toward running. If I can work it into my personal schedule, that’s what I’ll do,” Benson said. “And if I’m going to run, I’ll have my name in Day One.”
Benson is serving in his first term on the council. While he said his first two years saw some hostility on the board, Benson said he has been pleased with this past year.
“I really feel that the council has made significant growth and really has improved as a legislative body since last March,” Benson said. “I think everyone is really working hard to move Derry forward and part of me would really like to continue with that work.”
Wetherbee said he, too, would like to serve for another three years but is weighing his options. 
“With a job like this, there’s a bit of a time commitment, and I have my own business and family commitments to consider,” Wetherbee said. “I still have to sit down and talk about this all with my wife.” 
Wetherbee is also in his first term on the council. 
“Part of the reason I want to run is that after three years, I feel like I’ve got a pretty good knowledge base built up,” he said. “And I personally feel like we as a council have got some unfinished business.” 
On the school side, threeyear terms are expiring for Mark Grabowski and Wendy Smith. 
Grabowski said he has already decided he will not run again. 
“I have a lot of personal reasons and just want to be around my family,” said Grabowski on Wednesday. “It’s quite a time commitment, and I don’t feel that I can do anything if it’s not as best as I can do.” 
Grabowski’s current term was his first on the School Board. 

“I’m not going away. Derry’s my home,” he said. “I do plan on being involved in the community in a lot of different ways, and I wouldn’t rule out anything in the future.” 
School board member Wendy Smith’s term will also expire this year. She could not be reached for comment for this story. 
Council candidate forms will be accepted at the town clerk’s office and School Board candidate forms at the school district building. Both filing periods conclude on Jan. 28.