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Steege Declines to Run Again for Williamstown BoardBy Tammy Daniels
iBerkshires Staff
01:40AM / Tuesday, January 27, 2009
 | | Selectman Richard C. Steege |
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Selectman Richard C. Steege announced to the viewing audience on Monday night that he would not be running for re-election.
"I've enjoyed these three years very, very much," he said. "Of course, it's been a great education, to see how this town's run. It's a wonderful town and I've enjoyed working with this board and [Town Manager] Peter [Fohlin]."
It was time for somone else to fill his shoes, said Steege. "If anyone's interested I'd highly recommend it."
The retired schoolteacher won his seat unopposed three years ago, replacing John G. "Jack" Merselis, who also used the Selectmen's broadcast on Willinet to inform residents of his decision to leave the board.
The 70-year-old Steege, of Henderson Road, said there was no one particular reason that led to his decision, citing his age and a wish to let someone else have a chance at serving. "It's time for someone else." He didn't rule out serving in some other capacity for the town; he had previously been an alternate on the Zoning Board of Appeals.
The longtime sixth-grade teacher retired from Williamstown Elementary School in 2005. That prompted fellow Selectman David Rempell (and retired principal of Williamstown Elementary) to joke that "this will be our second divorce."
Steege said he wanted to let residents know his decision early. "It takes awhile to collect signatures and make up their minds if they want to be a selectman."
Nomination papers for the May 12 town election will be available Monday, Feb. 2, in the town clerk's office. The deadline to return them is Tuesday, March 24.
"It would be nice to see a contest," said Steege, who hoped his early withdrawal from consideration would spark a race."
Steege's three-year term is the only seat up for election on the Selectmen. Other positions on the ballot are two three-year terms on the elementary School Committee; one three-year library trustee term; a five-year term on the Housing Authority, a three-year term on the Northern Berkshire Vocational Regional (McCann) School Committee and a five-year term on the Planning Board. |
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