SALEM — The filing period hasn't begun, but it looks like there will be a selectman's race in March.
Nanci Carney, 50, who serves as the school district clerk and works as a business development officer for Pentucket Bank, said she intends to run for the one seat up for grabs this year.
"I have been convinced that it's the right thing to do and the right time to do it," she said yesterday.
The seat is held by Patrick Hargreaves. He said yesterday he will decide this weekend whether he will seek re-election.
Carney would have been up for re-election as the school district clerk this year, she said. But she decided to run for an office where she thought she could have a bigger impact.
"I've been busy raising my family, and my children are now grown," she said. "It's time for me to give back more, and I have the time and commitment to serve at this point."
Carney said she was not sure who else would run for the seat.
"I'm running for the position," she said. "I'm not running against anybody."
She said people around town are concerned about the tax rate, the economy and possible tolls on Interstate 93, which she said she opposes.
"I think the biggest thing right now is our deteriorating infrastructure. We've got to address that — the bridges, the roads," she said. "But we've also got to take into account the financial situation, and be fiscally responsible in what we can do and when."
Carney said she has lived in Salem all her life. She earned a bachelor's degree in political science and communications from Drew University in Madison, N.J.
"I think I have the time and the energy and the skills that the job needs," she said.
Carney also serves on the boards of directors of the Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Salem Rotary Club. She has been involved with the American Cancer Society and the Greater Salem Relay for Life, she said.
Carney's family has long been involved in the Salem community and government. Her parents, Mike and Nancy Carney, were given the John P. Ganley Award last year in recognition of their work for the community. Her brother, Michael Carney Jr., serves on the Budget Committee.
"It's just something that's been instilled in us," she said.
Joan Steinberg of Salem has said she intends to run for the seat. She said she wants to focus on providing transportation for people in Salem. She said there should be bus service on Route 28.
Hargreaves was elected to the board in 2007, when he defeated incumbent Ronald Belanger.
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