By DONNA KENNY KIRWAN

PAWTUCKET — It’s official: Incumbent Mayor James E. Doyle will be facing a challenge from just one opponent this fall: City Councilor Donald R. Grebien.

By DONNA KENNY KIRWAN

PAWTUCKET — It’s official: Incumbent Mayor James E. Doyle will be facing a challenge from just one opponent this fall: City Councilor Donald R. Grebien.
What had appeared to be a field of five mayoral candidates had thinned considerably as of Friday’s deadline to submit signed nomination papers. Just Doyle, 69, of 322 Pullen Ave., and  Grebien, 40, of 101 Vine St., had returned the requisite paperwork.
According to Kenneth Magill, the city’s registrar of voters, the signatures for the two candidates have already been certified. They and the rest of the individuals who returned their nomination papers are considered the unofficial candidates, pending further validation by the secretary of state’s office.
Doyle, a Democrat, has been mayor since 1998; he is seeking his sixth term. He has been endorsed by the city’s Democratic City Committee. Earlier in the day, Doyle said he was excited about the race and looking forward to the challenge.
At an open house on Friday at the new Social Security Administration office on Pleasant Street, Doyle pointed out the facility that occupies the former Verizon office as another measure in the city’s efforts toward revitalization.
“You are seeing a city that is progressing, not in leaps and bounds, but in small steps,” he told those assembled.
Grebien, also a Democrat, is running as an independent, which is allowed under election laws. He explained that he chose to do so because of the limited amount of time before the November election, saying he wants to concentrate on getting his message out to voters.
Grebien also described himself as “excited about the challenge” of taking on an entrenched Democratic incumbent such as Doyle.
“I’ve been knocking on a lot of doors in the last week and a half,” he stated. Grebien is encouraged by the support he has been receiving from residents who say change is needed in the city in the way of finances, schools and economic development. “We need to get our house in order,” Grebien said.
Others who had announced plans to run for mayor were Rick L. Gibson, 46, of 248 Central Ave.; Dougie A. Tunstall Jr., 40, of 40 1/2 Bullock St., and Kenneth M. Bowdish, 38, of 231 Benjamin St. However, none of them turned in nomination papers. Gibson said he changed his mind after receiving an offer to do “missionary work” that will require extensive travel. Tunstall and Bowdish could not be reached for comment.
For council-at-large, however, the field still includes seven candidates vying for two seats. Councilor-at-large Robert E. Carr has said he’s giving up his seat because of a pending move to Cumberland.
The endorsed Democratic contenders include longtime council member Thomas E. Hodge, of 53 Wilton Ave., who is seeking re-election; former School Committee Chairman John S. Baxter Jr., of 96 Brewster St.; and Lorenzo C. Tetreault, of 95 Second St., chairman of the Democratic City Committee.
The unendorsed candidates for council-at-large include former School Committeeman Raymond J. Spooner, of 64 Benjamin St.; and former District 3 Councilor Albert J. Vitali Jr., of 85 Pequot Road. Additionally, Michael W. Newman, of 218 Baxter St., is running as an independent, and Joel M. Tirrell, of 249 Taft St., will be on the ballot as the lone Republican.
On the City Council, those candidates seeking re-election include David P. Moran, of 127 Revere St. in District 1; Paul J. Wildenhain, of 31 Hanover St., in District 2; Henry S. Kinch, of 58 Wilton St., in District 3; John J. Barry III, of 118 Division St., in District 4; Mary E. Bray, of 7 Cooper St., in District 5; and James F. Chadwick Jr., of 51 Lucas St., Apt. 3, Pawtucket, in District 6. All are Democrats who have been endorsed by the Democratic City Committee.
Bray will face a challenge from unendorsed candidate Jean Philippe Barros, of 146 Lafayette St, running as an independent, while Chadwick will vie for his seat against unendorsed candidate George Patrick Hovarth, of 74 Varnum Ave., also an independent. Paul Audette, who had originally announced plans to run, did not pick up nomination papers.
For the district-wide School Committee seats, endorsed Democratic candidates include incumbents James T. Chellel Jr., of 45 Grosvenor Ave.; Joanne M. Bonollo, of 407 Grand Ave.; Nicole Ann Nordquist, of 155 Mount Vernon Blvd.; and David A. Coughlin Jr., of 9 Armistice Blvd.
Also endorsed by the Democratic City Committee for the school board are several new candidates, including Joseph C. Knight, of 104 Lyman St.; Raymond W. Noonan, of 405 Grotto Ave., and Matthew F. Gunnip, of 90 Summit St., Apt. #11
Running for the School Committee as unendorsed candidates are incumbent Amy Breault Zolt, of 30 Potter St.; and political newcomers Carlos E. Tobon, of 30 Bloomingdale Ave.; Patricia R. Murray, of 89 Fiume St.: and Joseph M. Lima, of 70 Seneca Ave. All are Democrats.
Magill said that another School Committee hopeful, Lori-Ann Gagne of 55 Windsor Road, has been deemed ineligible to run for not having the required amount of valid signatures.