Two Eyeing Vacant Adams Selectmen Seat
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Michael Taber and Jason Hnatonko, two men who have more in common than where they live, have already begun their bids for the seat Myra Wilk vacated last June, resting their campaigns on a promise to help see Adams into the future.
Taber, a seventh-grade history teacher at Herberg Middle School in Pittsfield, said he's always been interested in government and politics and becoming a selectman means giving back to his community.
"I always wanted to run for office. I think it's a way to help people and I think I can bring a new vision and a fresh perspective to the board," said Taber, 27, who moved from Cheshire three years ago. "I've been thinking about doing this for a long time."
Taber said he returned his nomination papers three weeks ago and already has plans to create a campaign committee and host fundraisers before the May 5 election.
"I've got three things I'm focusing on in this campaign - strong economy, safe communities and quality education," Taber said.
Among his priorities for improving the economy are attracting more businesses to the area and creating assisted-living opportunities for the elderly while paying close attention to continuing to improve the downtown area.
"The town has come a long way and I want to be a part of it as it moves forward. There's still a lot we can do. The Selectmen have taken big steps with the Community Development Block Grants but I think the area that is targeted needs to be expanded. There's a lot of positive things we can do by continuing to spruce up the downtown area," he said.
While Taber's safe communities focus is primarily on providing the police and fire departments with the resources they need, education issues are his true passion.
"I'd bring a unique vantage point to the board as a teacher. I have knowledge of the tools necessary for a quality education for students here in town and I would be a good go-between for the School Committee and the Selectmen," said Taber.
With an infant daughter at home, Taber said he has a "vested interest in what happens in the future" and he hopes his presence on the board would help shepherd in a time of growth for Adams, one that embraces new initiatives and concentrates on collaboration among other county municipalities.
"We need a countywide perspective and we need to be part of countywide initiatives like the Berkshire Wireless Initiative," said Taber. "We have to continue to move forward in all aspects."
For Hnatonko, a newborn son sparked his interest in becoming part of town government.
"This sounds cheesy, but I was inspired to run because of my son. I see a tremendous upside to Adams. Growing up, I remember Summer Street having this vibrancy and bounce and it's just now getting that bounce back. I want to make sure it stays that way," said Hnatonko. "I want my son to be proud to grow up in Adams."
"Children are the future. If the children don't have any reason to stay, the town will just dwindle down," he continued.
Hnatonko, 30, has lived in town most of his life and is committed to helping return industry to the area.
"I'm a working man myself and I'm not ashamed of hard work. I'm trying to bring business back into town, businesses that are going to pay people enough so they can support their families," he said.
Chief among his goals is to ensure that taxes in town are not raised.
"I don't want to tax people to death. I couldn't look my mother in the eye and say 'I'm going to raise your taxes when I know you can't afford it' and I certainly can't do that to anyone else's mother. We need to make sure the people here don't have to worry about having the taxes increase every year, especially the elderly," said Hnatonko, who works at Macy's and Rite Aid and as a soccer coach at Hoosac Valley High School.
The self-proclaimed "family man" said he's been a coach in town for many years and it was his interest in giving back to the community that fuels the ambition to run for selectman. Promising he'd make the board one of his top priorities, Hnatonko said he loves living in town and he's only interested in helping to make improvements.
"[Adams] is where I call home and I have some great ideas for making it better," he said. "I've seen it during the best of times and I want to bring it back to the way I remember it. I want to see Park Street and Summer Street alive and kicking."
At the time he was interviewed, Hnatonko had not yet returned his papers.
Nomination papers are due back to the town clerk's office by March 17 and must have 50 signatures from registered voters to be put on the ballot. Nomination papers have already been taken out for other positions, including two parks commissioners, moderator, cemetery commissioner and housing authority member.
All of those papers were taken out by the incumbents.
