Bissaillon Joins Crowded Democratic Field for State Rep

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
10:39PM / Wednesday, March 10, 2010Print Story | Email Story

David Bissaillon spent five years as head of the Berkshire Chamber before joining the Coakley, etc., insurance agency three years ago.

ADAMS, Mass. — The race for state representative is getting crowded as David R. Bissaillon, former president of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, jumped in last night.

The 44-year-old Adams resident made a splash with a formal announcement at Armory Court, surrounded by about 30 or 40 family members and supporters including several town officials and North Adams City Councilors Michael Boland and Keith Bona. A campaign Web site was launched shortly before.

"There's a growing collaborative spirit in North Berkshire and Franklin County, and Berkshire County in general," he said. "My whole career has been about collaboration, team work and respect. I think you solve a lot of problems with those three things."

There are now four Democrats aching to succeed longtime legislator Daniel E. Bosley in the 1st Berkshire District. Last week, Margaret Ware of Williamstown, North Adams City Councilor Gailanne Cariddi and former Adams Selectman Edward MacDonald said they had taken out nomination papers for the post.

The primary will be held Sept. 14; the winner will face any Republican or independent opponent who emerges. Nomination papers with 150 signatures must be filed by April 27.

Ware, regional director of health information programs for Elder services and a former Williamstown selectman, quietly let the word out by e-mail of her decision to run. Cariddi, a 21-year veteran and past president of the North Adams City Council, confirmed to the North Adams Transcript that she, too, was gearing for a run.

Both women are longtime Democratic activists with strong roots in the state party and years of experience in local government. MacDonald was ousted as a selectman in Adams last year and is now town administrator for Chester in Hampden County. All three had expressed interest in Bosley's seat three years ago when the North Adams representative had planned to join the Patrick administration.

Bissaillon, 44, a lifelong Adams resident, has never held elected office but been interested in public service beyond his current involvement in with community organizations and youth sports. Then Bosley announced in January he would run for sheriff.

"It was something I had to do a lot of thinking about," said Bissaillon. "It's a great opening and I'm very excited."

He believes his experience in business and the community will serve the district well. "Community and public service solves problems and creates opportunities for people."

Bissaillon will retain his position as vice president at Coakley, Pierpan, Dolan & Collins Insurance Agency during the campaign. He expected to pull his nomination papers on Thursday morning and get his signatures fairly quickly.

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Your Comments

iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.

And what exactly are Mr Bissaillon's credentials??? I have heard nothing about him. Why would he leave such a great job as President of Chamber of Commerce? Seems kind of funny you would leave a great job like that. Sounds fishy to me. He won't get my vote! Editor: So anyone who moves on from a job that YOU think is great must have something wrong with them. Thanks for that advice.
from: lp	on: 03-11-2010 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Beware the opposing candidates posts...especially the other candidate from Adams. He's notorious for trolling these local media blogs and throwing up misinformation. Sounds like him or his family members already.
from: Townee	on: 03-11-2010 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

I think it's about time that the editor starts practicing some professionalism rather than contributing additional snide remarks. It is not your job to comment on other's posts. Your job is to report the news and be objective. If you want to be an ombudsman and write editorials that is fine but leave the comments to your readers. Editor: You get to tell me what my job is?
from: Professionalism	on: 03-11-2010 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

I think that Dave Bissaillon will make a great state representative! His communication skills are very good. I've always found him to be a good listener whenever I approached him as Chamber President. He's got my vote!!!
from: NA Resident	on: 03-11-2010 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Good Luck Dave!!
from: Dave B. Fan	on: 03-11-2010 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

So, Mr. Professionalism, whose job is it to comment on people's posts? Yours? I wasn't aware posting was a job. I think the editor adds a lot of flair when she adds comments and she provides food for thought, and often a lot of humor. Keep it up, editor.
from: Its My Job	on: 03-11-2010 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

The editors comments are a huge turn off. They really make the page look bad. Take our advice and stick to your job. Editor: Let's stay on topic people.
from: AD	on: 03-11-2010 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Reality check people the comments are great. It's the people who don't know what they are talking about and have no clue what is going on in the real world or know nothing about journalism. Editor keep up the good work. Editor: Thanks guys. Maybe I come across as cranky sometimes but in this new media business someone has to uphold the tradition of the curmudgeonly-but-lovable editor.
from: reality	on: 03-11-2010 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

You may be the last of the online editors to know how to spell "curmudgeonly," too. (Did I spell that right?)
from: quality	on: 03-12-2010 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

I am thrilled to see Dave running. Of all the candidates I know that are in the race, Dave represents our community the best. I prefer the postings here better than the Transcript's Topix. Topix is nothing more than a no rule bashing board with no parental control that discredits the staff for allowing it.
from: Go Dave	on: 03-12-2010 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

1) Good luck to Mr. Bissailon. I do not know him, but I applaud anyone who tries to do good through commnity service (paid or otherwise). It is difficult and thankless work. 2) The Editor's comments are awesome! Not only are they fun and smart, but they help keep the trolls in check. (You can't read the rubbish on the Eagle's forums because it's a bunch of losers & haters complaining about everything - thank you Editor for trying to keep iBerkshires mature and intelligent - that's why I visit the site every day.)
from: Allen Harris	on: 03-12-2010 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Bissaillon is Business ! and thats all that matters!
from: The Boy of Bizz	on: 03-17-2010 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Not sure that Dave has the qualifications. Yes, he's a nice guy but what does he know about government. Running a business is not the same as representing us in the State House. Seems to be that he jumped in just to jump in. We'll see what develops. It's still pretty early to call this one.
from: Voter	on: 03-20-2010 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Hoosac Valley Students Find Their Voice Through Advisory Board

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:37AM / Thursday, October 22, 2026

ADAMS, Mass. — For the last three years, Hoosac Valley High School has encouraged students to take part in shaping their school community through its Student Adult Advisory Board.

The board has become popular among students, with approximately 70 members currently enrolled and a waiting list of others eager to join — the largest it has ever been, said Jaclyn Ricci, history teacher.

"It gives us such a voice in the school, and I just think it's something every school should have because it really just brings all of us together, our whole student body as one, and helps us be more comfortable with each other," senior Rylin Larabee said.

Students highlighted how the initiative allows them to work alongside school administrators and other adults to implement policies and advance programming, from bringing back the peer mentorship program and planning enrichment activities based on the student body's needs to advancing multi-year plans for outdoor classrooms and planning school celebrations and pep rallies.

"I feel like it brought me closer to a lot of the advisers that we work with, and the teachers in the building, and just being able to communicate with them and explain, like student to teacher, how both of us are feeling about different roles that we have in our school," senior Leyah Brown said.

Senior Preston Hnatonko said the Student Adult Advisory Board (SAAB) operates similarly to government in that it gives students firsthand experience in developing policies. They can then carry that experience beyond graduation and advocate for change and influence public policy as adults.

As an environmentalist, Hnatonko said one of the biggest things the program has done is teach him how to write legislation for the causes he believes in.

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