A political newcomer who is nonetheless a familiar and respected name in town affairs, John R. “Jack†Madden, vaulted to the position of top votegetter in the race for selectman in yesterday’s town election.
And two-term veteran selectman Margaret Johnson Ware retained her seat on the board with a comfortable margin.
The other incumbent in the race, Daniel N. Gendron, failed in his bid for reelection to a second term. And Eric Yarter, in his second try for the board, came in fourth.
The election drew 1,769 voters, about 41 percent of the town’s registered voters, about average for a town election, according to Town Clerk Mary C. Kennedy.
In the race for the board of selectmen, Madden polled 1,166; Ware, 893; Gendron 799 and Yarter 476.
Madden, former superintendent of schools in Williamstown who is retired from a long career in human resources in private industry, said “I’m delighted at the outcome.â€
“I’m excited about the high vote count,†Madden said by telephone. “It’s testimony to the large number of people who were supportive of my candidacy. It’s not something you do alone. The people who believe in what you believe in, that’s the reason for the high vote count.â€
Asked what he plans now that he is a selectman, Madden responded, “I think it’s the same in any new venture or new office. You have to listen and learn what the issues are and take a measured approach to making a contribution. “My background and experience lend themselves to making a contribution, and I look forward to doing that.
“Working on the town’s master plan (as coordinator of its steering committee) has given me an opportunity to see the whole range of issues the town needs to face, and look at setting priorities and making action plans to get things done. I’m really looking forward to the challenges. I think it will be very enjoyable.â€
Madden was, until his retirement last year, senior vice president, human resources, of Fleet Bank of New York. He is a management consultant and also serves on the town Finance Committee.
Ware, surrounded by congratulatory well-wishers at her home, said “It was a very close race. I’m obviously pleased that I won, and I’m looking forward to completing the projects that I started in my first six years on the board.
“Dan and Jack ran a very tough race,†said Ware, who is chairman of the board.
“And I’m proud that I spent only $510 on my campaign.â€
Ware is the regional director of the SHINE program for Elder Services of Berkshire County, a volunteer program providing health insurance counseling to the elderly, and is also a management consultant specializing in issues of workforce development.
Ware expressed “Thanks to Dan for his contributions to the board.â€
Gendron, who has clashed with Ware on the board, had called immediately to offer Ware his congratulations.
Gendron, who was at the polls as the results were posted, said immediately afterward “You win some, you lose some. I’ll miss being a selectman.â€
“It was a close race,†he said.
Asked if he might consider making another try to return to the board, Gendron replied “There’s a good possibility I might run next year.â€
“That’s the way it goes,†said Gendron, who operates his own computer consulting business.
“I was controversial,†said Gendron. “I raised the dialogue, and I think sometimes Williamstown gets frightened by that.â€
Yarter, contacted by telephone at home after a meeting of the rent control commission, on which he serves, was philosophical, saying “the best people won.â€
“It was up to the people that voted to make the decision, and they did,†said Yarter. “I hold no grudges. It was a very professional, very clean campaign.
“I’m still never going to spend any money on a campaign,†he said, acknowledging that he may make another run for the board.
“The only thing is I’m disappointed that I didn’t do as well as last time,†said Yarter, who drew 891 votes in 1999, when he ran against incumbent selectmen Anne Skinner and Charles Schlesinger.
“But last time was different,†said Yarter. “People were voting for me because they were discouraged about the way the board was at the time. Now the board members are working together better.â€
Yarter also attributed the vote distribution this year to “the quality of people I ran against. Mr. Madden is a very, very sharp guy, and Mrs. Ware has a lot of experience.†“I’m pleased at the way things turned out,†said Yarter, who is a mail carrier for the U.
S. Postal Service in Williamstown. “I would have been happy to do the job, but obviously people felt Jack and Marge are better qualified, and in ways I agree with them.:â€
Yarter said he enjoys serving on the rent control board, and plans to continue doing so. Housing is a particular interest of his, and, he said, “I’ll gain more experience.â€
Suzanne Dewey handily won in her bid for election to a two-year term on the school committee, pulling 1,070 votes to her opponent, Mark C. Dingman’s, 329.
Said Dewey, contacted by telephone, “I’m quite pleased. I’m looking forward to working with a great team for a great school.â€
“It’s something I believe in strongly, and I’m glad to have the opportunity,†said Dewey, who was formerly executive director of the Williamstown Chamber of Commerce, and is a former teacher.
The selectmen’s race, and the race for the two-year unexpired term vacated by Mary Ann Johns on the school committee were the only contests on the ballot.
Other candidates for office, and their votes, are as follows: moderator, Stanley E. Parese, top vote-getter with 1,494; elementary school committee, Paula M. Consolini, 1,215, and Katherine “Kaatje†White, 1207; library trustees, Elizabeth Costley, 1334, and Linda J.L. Becker, 1,190; housing authority, Richard Hamblin, 1,306, and Northern Berkshire Regional Vocational School Committee, James R. Gazzaniga, 1,419.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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