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Biros Announces For Adams Town Moderator |
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Biros Campaign On: 09:20AM / Tuesday March 27, 2012 |
Editor's Note: This candidate letter was received from Ryan Biros.
ADAMS, Mass. — It is a privilege to announce my candidacy for Adams town moderator.
I have lived in Adams my entire life and decided several years ago to help keep our town moving forward. Growing up in Adams has taught me a few things; everyone knows who you are or knows a family member, people will always stand firm for what they believe in and most importantly, the extreme interest in the citizens of Adams to be part of the community. Some citizens are involved in our town government, some are involved in community organizations or both.
I am involved with both. Currently I am a member of town meeting for Precinct 2, the Historical Commission, Redevelopment Authority and serve as town webmaster. As member of town meeting, I understand the importance of healthy and productive debate. Serving on both the Historical Commission and Redevelopment Authority has taught me the value of preservation and progress.
I became town webmaster four years ago after noticing that the town website was in need of an overhaul. I worked with the Board of Selectmen and the town administrator to change it. One year later, the town re-launched the website, which is now user-friendly, bills can be paid online, serves as 24-hour bulletin board with up-to-date information.
I volunteer as an adult leader in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturing units in Adams. In these roles I have helped the youth of Adams to reach their full potential and become leaders. I also am a member of the PNA, the Adams Historical Society and a former member of the Maple Grove Civic Club.
Town moderator is an important position. The town moderator is the presiding officer of town meeting and is responsible for keeping order, summarizing warrant articles for debate, calling for votes and moderating discussion. Aside from town meeting, the moderator appoints members to the Finance Committee. If elected I will maintain the integrity of the meeting, be fair and firm to all members and remain unbiased in selecting candidates for appointment to the finance committee. Our town has been and is continuing to work hard to move forward.
I am proud of the work I have done and will continue to do for the town of Adams. I am asking for your support on Monday, May 7, to become Adams town moderator. Thank you.
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Two Running For One Williamstown Selectman Position |
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By Andy McKeever On: 11:00AM / Thursday March 22, 2012 |
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Two residents are vying for one seat on the Board of Selectmen.
Incumbent Thomas Sheldon will face a challenge from Justin Adkins. There will also be a four-person race for two seats on the Elementary School Committee. Theodore Anagnos, Darryl Lee Brown Jr., Christopher Jones and Richard Scullin III are all running for the two seats. Neither incumbent, Jennifer Trainer Thompson and Adams Filson, returned nomination papers.
The remaining races are uncontested. Below is the list of races.
SELECTMEN 1 seat
Thomas Sheldon
Justin D. Adkins
WILLIAMSTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COMMITTEE (K-6) 2 Seats
Theodore Anagnos
Darryl Lee Brown, Jr.
Christopher Jones
Richard J. Scullin III
LIBRARY TRUSTEE 1 seat
M. Geoffrey Hedden
PLANNING BOARD 1 seat
Chris Winters
NORTHERN BERKSHIRE VOCATIONAL REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE 1 seat
Thomas R. Mahar
HOUSING AUTHORITY 1 seat
David L. Mangun
HOUSING AUTHORITY 1 seat
Joan Simpson Burns
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Five Vying For Adams Board of Selectmen |
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By Andy McKeever On: 05:12PM / Monday March 19, 2012 |
ADAMS, Mass. — Five candidates are vying for two seats on the Board of Selectmen and five open seats on other boards have no candidates.
At Monday's deadline for nomination papers, the five candidates that had returned papers were incumbent Arthur "Skip" Harrington, former Selectman Edward Driscoll, and newcomers Richard Blanchard, John Duval and Jeremy Halek. Two others, Donald Sommer and Anthony Coty, had taken out papers but did not return them.
The only other race is for moderator. Incumbent Joseph R. Dean Jr. is being challenged by Ryan Biros.
Five elected positions do not have candidates.
Parks Commissioner Aimee Sinopoli will not be running again and the board was already one position short. Of three open positions on that board, only incumbent James Fassell returned nomination papers.
Two seats on the Redevelopment Authority — five-year and a two-year — also have no candidates. Incumbent Joseph Allard will not seek re-election, which adds to an already vacant position.
Additionally, Cemetery Commissioner Robert Ciempa is not seeking re-election, creating a vacancy there.
For all other posts, only the incumbents returned election papers. The full list is available below.
Adams 2012 Offices for Election
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Adams School Board Member Resigns For Selectman Run |
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Staff Reports On: 09:21PM / Tuesday March 13, 2012 |
ADAMS, Mass. — Longtime School Committee member John E. Duval resigned on Tuesday to pursue a seat on the Board of Selectmen.
Duval, who has served on the Adams-Cheshire Regional School Committee for 17 years, said in a statement that his experience on the committee would inform his decisionmaking on the Selectmen. He particularly pointed to the work being done by Town Administrator Jonathan Butler and the current board and said he would be "excited to join the team."
There are two seats up for election on the board: Selectman Jason Hnatonko is not standing for re-election but current Chairman Arthur "Skip" Harrington has already returned papers for a try at a second term. Both Hnatonko and Harrington were swept into office three years ago in what many saw as a rejection of the board's performance at the time.
There could be large field for the two three-years seats. In addition to Duval, Richard Blanchard, Jeremy Halek, Anthony Cote, and Donald Sommer and Edward Driscoll, both former selectman, have also taken out papers. As of last week, Harrington, Blanchard and Halek had returned their papers.
The town election is May 7.
Duval's Statement:
"Today I proudly announce my candidacy for a seat on the Board of Selectmen in the May 7th election. As a lifelong resident of Adams, it will be an honor for me to serve the town where my wife and I have raised our three boys, and where the future is only looking better.
Earlier today, I resigned my seat of 17 years on the Adams-Cheshire Regional School Committee so that I may devout my full effort and energies to running for this town wide office. While I will miss the work involving the schools and our students, that experience will be the most important foundation that I will bring to my decision making as a selectman. I am proud of the work I did on behalf of hundreds of children in our district for many years, and was particularly proud to be a very strong supporter of the major renovation project now under way at Hoosac Valley High School.
I am encouraged by the direction, leadership and enthusiasm resonating from Town Hall. In his first three years as our Town Administrator, Jonathan Butler has produced good results, and I look forward to working with him to make sure the momentum of progress continues. The current Board of Selectmen should be proud of what has been accomplished the last few years, and I am excited to join the team.
Our Board of Selectmen must continue to work hard and be creative in partnership with the administrator and all town departments to make sure that there is a continual fair balance between the services offered by the town and the cost to those taxpayers who are served. My background with the school committee as its past chairman, budget development and oversight, and union negotiations will serve me well in this task. I have also served on several Adams town boards including the Capital Improvements Committee, Charter Review Committee and Town Meeting Member."
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North Berkshire Towns Give Romney Primary Win |
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Staff Reports On: 10:00PM / Tuesday March 06, 2012 |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The presidential primaries didn't spark much attention in Berkshire County, with low turnout reported across the region as well as the state. The results weren't the least bit surprising, with Mitt Romney leading the Republicans to win his state.
In North Adams, only 579 votes were cast out of 8,717 registered voters, less than 7 percent. The big winner was the one candidate who had no primary challenger: Barack Obama. The Democratic incumbent won 276 votes.
With more than half the city's voters unenrolled, there was a chance for a more competitive Republican nomination race. That didn't happen. Romney, the state's former governor whose appearance in the far west was rare, did score 140 votes, far outpacing the field.
Rick Santorum got 68 votes, Ron Paul 33 and Newt Gingrich 26. The Green/Rainbow Party polled a paltry two votes: one each for Jill Stein of Lexingtona and one for Harley Mikkelson of Michigan.
Adams had better turnout, with just a little more than 10 percent of the town's 5,437 of voters going to the polls. Out of 544 ballots cast, nearly half went to the Democratic nominee. Obama scored 268 votes, with Romney picking up 118, Santorum 52, Paul 36, and Gingrich 27.
In Williamstown, the polls were a lot busier, with 596 votes cast. Obama, big winner again with 367; Romney had 132. The rest came in at Santorum 39, Paul 37, Gingrich 18. Stein took 3 votes for the Green/Rainbow nomination.
Oddly, the results weren't terribly different across the three communities. Even the Republican stragglers placed in order.
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 State Election
Tuesday, Nov. 4
Voting is from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Deadline to register or change party affiliation was Oct.15.
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Candidates on the ballot in races for state office; all others on the ballot are unopposed. Links will take you to their campaign websites.
U.S. Senator
• Edward J. Markey, Democrat
• Brian J. Herr, Republican
Governor/Lieutenant Governor
• Charlie Baker & Karyn Polito, Republican
• Martha Coakley & Stephen Kerrigan, Democrat
• Evan Falchuk & Angus Jennings, United Independent Party
• Scott Lively & Shelly Saunders, Independent
• Jeff McCormick & Tracy Post, Independent
Attorney General
• Maura Healey, Democratic
• John B. Miller, Republican
Secretary of State
• William Francis Galvin, Democratic
• David D'Arcangelo, Republican
• Daniel L. Factor, Green-Rainbow
Treasurer
• Deborah B. Goldberg, Democratic
• Michael James Heffernan, Republican
• Ian T. Jackson, Green-Rainbow
Auditor
• Suzanne M. Bump, Democratic
• Patricia S. Saint Aubin, Republican
• MK Merelice, Green-Rainbow
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Municipal Elections
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The cities of Pittsfield and North Adams will hold municipal elections for mayor, city council and school committee in 2015
You may vote absentee: if you will be absent from your town or city on election day, have a physical disability that prevents you from voting at the polls or cannot vote at the polls because to religious beliefs.
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2010 Special Senate Election Results
Election 2009 Stories
Election Day 2008
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