Vogel, Terranova Mounting Write-in Campaigns For Mount Greylock School Committee
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — David Vogel and Al Terranova are asking for write-in votes to serve out an incomplete term on the Mount Greylock Regional School Committee.
The seat is being left vacant Richard Cohen, who has resigned from the committee. No one had submitted nomination papers by the deadline, leaving one of the two seats up for election on the ballot blank.
On Sunday, Vogel sent an email to iBerkshires saying he is running a write-in campaign for the seat after learning no one else had stepped up. He currently serves on the town's Energy Committee, Conservation Commission and on the newly created Economic Development Board.
Terranova, a former member of Lanesborough's Finance Committee, told iBerkshires.com at Monday's special meeting of the Mount Greylock School Committee that he was asking people to write him in for the post.
"I'm very committed to Mount Greylock and very committed to the new high school project," said Terranova.
Teranova is a former school adjustment councilor with 33 years of experience in education. He was the president of the Pittsfield School Administrators Association, in which he was responsible for union negotiations, grievances, arbitration, mediations, coaching and budgets.
"The main reason I am running is that I want Mount Greylock to continue to offer the same outstanding education that was afforded my two sons," Terranova said. "Education has always been a cornerstone for Lanesborough as it has been in my personal and professional life."
Both write-in candidates bring experience serving Lanesborough.
Terranova served on the elected Fin Comm for 10 years. Vogel holds a number of appointed positions.
"As I become more engaged in various committees of our town (Conservation, Energy and Economic Growth), I recognize a need for more humble, agenda-free volunteer service in all facets of potential support functions," Vogel said in his email.
"As our school costs make up the greatest portion of our taxes, I’d like to participate in a role that helps ensure our dollars are properly spent, and where Lanesborough is recognized as an equal partner in the district arrangement. I feel it's a critical role in support of our town. Our new high school is going to need strong, practical leadership. My only agenda is to represent our town in making Mount Greylock the best managed school it can be."
Vogel has some history with the regional school committee, serving in the early phases of the School Building Committee that is overseeing the addition/renovation project. He boasts of 40-plus years in the environmental science field, with a particular focus on wastewater technologies, and consulting with the town's Sewer Commission. He was the treasurer of Wild Oats Co-op in Williamstown.
"Dave brings over two decades of business development and delivery experience, is highly competent in budget development, assessment and review, offers a sound, practical perspective to issues at hand, and foremost, is a strong team player," reads a flier asking for the write-in votes.
The Silver Street resident moved to the Berkshires in 2012 with his wife, Kathy Caton.
There are two seats up for election for Lanesborough representatives. Sheila Hebert is on the ballot, unopposed, to retain her seat. Two Williamstown residents who are incumbents are seeking re-election: Gary Fuls and Steven Miller. The lack of a candidate in Lanesborough leaves what could be a hole in the committee.
The Mount Greylock School Committee is elected by residents of both member towns of the two-school district. Although four seats are held by Williamstown residents and three are held by Lanesborough residents, all seven members are elected by voters in both towns.
Mount Greylock is one of the few regional school committees that elects its officers on the November ballot.
Tags: election 2016, MGRHS, school committee,
