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ATTLEBORO - Political outsider Daryl Hanlin is the first mayoral candidate to be certified for a spot on the ballot, which practically guarantees a showdown with Mayor Kevin Dumas and City Councilor John Davis in a preliminary election on Sept. 18.

Neither Dumas nor Davis, the best known candidates in the race, have submitted enough signatures for certification to date, but both are expected to do so by Tuesday's deadline.

Hanlin, who jumped into the race because he disagrees with the city's plan for downtown revitalization, said he aims to roll out a number of proposals between now and September, which he hopes will sway voters his way.

But his main issue is downtown revitalization.

Hanlin said the city's plan to build up business in the center with condominiums should be scrapped and replaced with plans for entertainment venues and other businesses. The city's plan will increase the financial burden on the schools and senior center without providing more income for city coffers, he said.

"Revitalization is the centerpiece," he said. "I really want to get a debate going on downtown."

The city, led by the Attleboro Redevelopment Authority and Mayor Kevin Dumas, is already in the process of implementing an urban renewal plan that calls for the construction of condominiums, transportation improvements and some new retail space.

Adding people to downtown will bring business downtown, which in turn will add to the tax base and at the same time add new energy in the center, they say. The plans have been in the making for years, been the subject of numerous public presentations and recently won approval by local, state and federal officials.

Meanwhile, the race for the city clerk's job also appears on track for a preliminary election.

Three of four possible candidates have acquired enough signatures to appear on the ballot.

Yolanda Cespedes, a principal clerk in the assessor's office; Betty Shockroo, the city's community development director; and City Councilor Brian Kirby have all qualified for the ballot.

A fourth possible candidate, Darlene Oliveira, a principal clerk in the police department, has not yet been certified.

Kirby also took out papers for a council at-large seat and could submit those as well, but he would have to decide by August 16 which office to seek.

Any candidate can drop out by Aug. 16. In other election news, all races now have at least one candidate.

The school committee races for Wards 1 and 6 were vacant until last week when David Dubois, 44, of Tyson Place took out papers for Ward 1 and Michael Tyler 41, of County Street took out papers for Ward 6.

The last day to take out nomination papers is Friday.

The last day to return them is the following Tuesday.

GEORGE W. RHODES can be reached at 508-236-0432 or at grhodes@thesunchronicle.com.