Pittsfield Councilor Resigns for Clerk's Spot

Staff reportsiBerkshires
04:13PM / Wednesday, December 10, 2008Print Story | Email Story

Linda Tyer

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — City Councilor Linda Tyer has resigned her seat to become the next city clerk.

Tyer, who was re-elected unopposed last year for Ward 3, will replace Jody Phillips, who is leaving City Hall for a job with General Dynamics.

Mayor James M. Ruberto said on Wednesday that he will name Tyer the city's 20th clerk after the state-mandated waiting period of 30 days. She will be appointed during a special City Council meeting on Jan. 9, 2009.

"I am honored to have Mayor Ruberto's nomination," said Tyer. "I am looking forward to using my administrative skills and everything I have learned while on the City Council and serving Pittsfield in a new and challenging position.

"Jody has served the citizens of Pittsfield with distinction. Many people have great respect and admiration for her service and I will strive to carry on the tradition."

The city will hold a special election to fill the remaining year of Tyer's term.

Tyer has represented Ward 3 since being swept into office in 2003, one of three successful candidates endorsed by the Women Helping Empower Neighborhoods (WHEN) political action committee.

"Linda has been a great city councilor over the past five years, and I look forward to working with her on a daily basis as the clerk," said Ruberto.

Tyer received her degree from Bay Path College in Longmeadow and has lived in the Berkshires since 1988. She and her husband, James, purchased their first house together on Ventura Avenue seven years ago. She has worked for the Lenox Public Schools for 17 years, 12 as the administrative assistant to the superintendent of schools.

"I think Linda is an excellent choice especially for two reasons: first, she is definitely a people person and, second, she is very detail oriented as shown both at the City Council and the Community Development Board," said City Council President Gerald Lee.

A special meeting of the City Council has been called for Friday, Dec. 12, at noon in the clerk's office to approve warrants for the special election. Nomination papers will be available in the clerk's office immediately after the meeting.

Prospective candidates must collect 50 signatures from registered voters in Ward 3 by Jan. 6. If a preliminary election is needed, it will be held on Feb. 24 with the general election to be held on March 31. The two polling places will be at All-Souls Church on Pembroke Avenue and Providence Court on East Street.

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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

12:05PM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.

This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.

The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.

DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.

"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths.

"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."

Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.

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