NORWICH – Although there are several candidates for City of Norwich government positions on the ballot this year, most of the candidates are running unopposed, leaving only the candidates for Mayor and City Supervisor of Wards 1,2 and 3 battling for the open slots.

Tomorrow, city residents will have the chance to determine which candidates will play a role in the future of the City of Norwich. Incumbent Mayor Joseph Maiurano will run on the Republican ticket, while Michael Carnrike will challenge him on the Democratic ticket.

“I’m ready to give the people a choice, and I’m ready to go to work for them if they choose me as their next mayor,” Carnrike said. Citing the difficulties Norwich has seen in recent years, Carnrike explained that the city needs to move forward. “We’re going to have to move the city forward in any direction that we can,” he said.

If elected, Carnrike said the first thing he would like to do is look at the possible merger between the Town and City of Norwich and determine if it is beneficial for all. “The merger is a big issue, and if we’re going to go forward with it, it has to be beneficial to all, but we can’t just dismiss it immediately. We need to look at the long-term plan,” Carnrike said.