Six Candidates Eye Open Selectman Seat

A number of candidates have thrown their hat into the ring to become the next Amherst selectman.

Six candidates have applied to take over the seat left by former chair Bruce Bowler, who resigned from his position last week. They will be interviewed by the current board at their April 8 meeting.

The first candidate to express interest is Reed Panasiti, who was defeated in a four-way race to the board of selectmen in March. He was defeated by incumbent Dwight Brew and newcomer John D’Angelo. Panasiti served as a selectman from 2006-2009.

Michael Akillian is a member of the Amherst Ways and Means committee.

David Chen is also a member of ways and means, and also serves on the Souhegan School District Finance Committee. He was also elected to the Zoning Board of Adjustment in 2009, and has founded multiple sports programs in town.

Mark Vincent is the chair of the Amherst Republicans, chair of the Amherst School District Ways and Means Committee and an outspoken member of the Amherst Citizens Association.

Nathaniel Jensen is a volunteer Amherst firefighter, runs a successful internet startup and is trained Foreign Service Officer. He was the political officer responsible for establishing and managing the city government of Fallujah, Iraq in 2004. Dorothy Crocker of Amherst has also expressed her interest in being considered for the position.