The Marion nomination papers are in, and for the first time since he was elected in 2007, Ray Pickles has competition for the town clerk seat – former Planning Board member Jay Ryder.

Pickles, the former town administrator, was appointed to the clerk position in 2006 when the previous clerk left mid-term. The following year he was elected and has held the position ever since.

When asked why he’s running again, Pickles answered “Why wouldn’t I run? I’m the elected town clerk.”

Pickles, the executive director of the Carver/Marion/Wareham Regional Refuse District and a Marion assessor, said he isn’t worried about having an opponent and that, even if he’s not often in the Town House, people know how to reach him.

“I have been in this town long enough so people have no problem calling me at my home or my office anytime they want an answer to a question,” Pickles said.

But Ryder said it’s time for some “fresh blood.” “Ray Pickles is a friend of mine, but he’s been in there for eleven years,” he said.

After several years out of public office, Ryder said he’s ready to get involved in government again. A general contractor and property manager, Ryder was on the Planning Board for six years, two as chair.

For the town clerk job, he said, “I’ve done some homework on what the responsibilities of the town clerk are. I think I’m very well qualified to take those responsibilities on.”

The other race to watch is for Selectman. This year, Stephen Cushing decided not to run for his seat on the board. Five other people did: newcomer Matthew Vander Pol; William Dale Jones, who has run several times for the board; current Marion School Committee member Christine Winters; Old Rochester Regional School Committee member Michelle Ouellette Smith; and Norm Hills, a member of the Planning Board who also ran last year. Hills is also running for another term on the Planning Board as is Eileen Marum. There are three open seats, however.

The remaining seats are uncontested. See the complete list at SippicanVillageSoup.com.

The election is May 12 at the former VFW, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

For the first time since he was elected in 2007, Ray Pickles has competition for the town clerk seat – former Planning Board member Jay Ryder.

Pickles, the former town administrator, was appointed to the clerk position in 2006 when the previous clerk left mid-term. The following year he was elected and has held the position ever since. This year, he’s running for another three-year term.

When asked why he wants to continue in his town clerk role, Pickles answered “Why wouldn’t I run? I’m the elected town clerk. I like being town clerk. I want to stay as town clerk. Why would I want to quit?”

Pickles, who is also the executive director of the Carver/Marion/Wareham Regional Refuse District and a Marion assessor, said he isn’t worried about having an opponent and that, even if he’s not often in the Town House, people know how to get in touch with him.

“I have been in this town long enough so people have no problem calling me at my home or my office anytime they want an answer to a question,” Pickles said. “I don’t believe that my opponent will spend any more time in the town hall than I do.”

But Ryder said it’s time for a change.

“Ray Pickles is a friend of mine, but he’s been in there for eleven years,” he said. “I think it’s time for a change, for some fresh blood.”

After several years out of public office, Ryder said he’s ready to get involved in Marion government again. A general contractor and property manager, Ryder was on the Planning Board for six years, two as the chair.

For the town clerk job, he said, “I’ve done some homework on what the responsibilities of the town clerk are. I think I’m very well qualified to take those responsibilities on.”

Ryder added that he has a good working relationship with Asst. Town Clerk Michele Bissonnette and Town Administrator Paul Dawson.

“I just think it would be a good fit,” he said.

The candidates running uncontested are as follows:

Assessor: Patricia DeCosta

Moderator: Brad Gordon

Board of Health: Elizabeth Dunn (incumbent)

Planning Board (three seats): Eileen Marum (incumbent), Norm Hills

Tree warden: Stephen Gonsalves

Marion School Committee (two seats): Ronald Gerhart, Kate Houdelette (incumbent)

Old Rochester Regional School Committee: Paul Goulet Jr. (incumbent)

Open Space Acquisition Commission (two seats): Amanda Chace, Jeffrey Oakes (incumbent)