NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Planning Board member Lynette Ritland Bond has taken out papers to run for mayor.
Bond has a been a member of the Planning Board since 2013 and was one of the leaders in the push to approve the Colegrove Park Elementary School project.
The director of development for grants and research at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts joins previously announced candidates Joshua Paul Vallieres, Aprilyn Carsno and Rachel Branch, all of whom have returned their nomination papers.
So far 15 people have taken out papers for the nine at-large seats on the City Council, including incumbents Lisa Blackmer, Peter Oleskiewicz, Jessica Sweeney and Wayne Wilkinson, and the newest councilor, Bryan K. Sapienza, who was sworn in on Tuesday to fill a vacant seat.
The others are Jennifer Barbeau, Roger Eurbin, Raymond A. Moore, Barbara Ellen Murray, Michael I. Obasohan, Jesse Lee Egan Poirier, Ashley M. Shade, Heidi Shartrand-Newell and Ronald Sheldon.
Of these, Murray, Poirier, Sapienza and Shade have returned nomination papers.
Heather Putman Boulger and Emily Daunis are the only incumbents so far to take out papers for re-election for School Committee. Daunis was appointed last year but her seat will be on the ballot to fill the final two years of a four-year term. The other incumbents are Ian Bergeron, James Holmes and David I. Sookey, who ran unsuccessfully for committee in the last election, has also taken out papers.
There are two North Adams seats up for election on the McCann School Committee. Gary Rivers has taken out papers for re-election but his colleague on the committee, Paul Gigliotti, died last week. A moment of silence was held for the longtime committee member at the McCann graduation on Wednesday.
The last day to submit nomination papers for certification of signatures is July 23. If there are more than two mayoral candidates or more than 18 City Council candidates, a preliminary election will be held on Sept. 21.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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