Letter: Bond Will Be a Reliable Community Leader

Letter to the Editor06:45PM / Tuesday, October 26, 2021Print Story | Email Story

To the Editor:

When looking toward the future of this great city, it is important not to neglect the voices of the younger generations. It is also important not to underscore the value community service has in shaping a candidate. Coming from an MCLA student and soon to be officeholder, I believe the person to best connect with our youth and represent the value of community service is Lynette Bond.

The most important memories I've made as a college student were through active volunteerism. As a person who dedicates my time in such a way, I can see how volunteer work has influenced Lynette Bond as a person, and how it will shape her tenure as the next mayor of North Adams. Through her dedication as a foster parent, her time in the Peace Corps, and her intense dedication toward the Colegrove Park Elementary School project, she has proven to me that she will be a reliable community leader.

I have been able to call North Adams my home for 22 years. MCLA was my school of choice because of this beautiful city I have been able to call my home. I think the school is especially emblematic of our community's younger demographics, and it makes me pleased to see who younger people want as their leader. The feedback we have received from the overwhelming majority of them? The future is with Lynette.

With students who want to make North Adams their home after they graduate, and have taken on our community as one that represents them, Lynette is an especially symbolic person to take office as our next mayor. Lynette may not have been born in North Adams, but she chose our city as her home like so many others here do. I am confident in Lynette's experience, transparency, and communicative nature to lead our city for the next two years. I hope with all this information in mind, you will vote for her assuredly on Nov. 2.

Joshua Vallieres
North Adams, Mass.

Joshua Vallieres is a candidate for North Adams School Committee.

Tags: city election, election 2021, letters to the editor,

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Berkshires Dips Below Measles Herd Immunity

Staff Reports 02:00PM / Thursday, January 08, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Three of the Western Massachusetts counties, including the Berkshires, have fallen below the 95 percent vaccination level for measles, mumps, and rubella to ensure herd immunity.

The Washington Post's Vaccination Report Card for the nation found Massachusetts as a whole was at 97 percent; the Berkshires has dipped to 91.8 percent in the years following the pandemic.

Hampden County is at 93.8 percent and Franklin at 91.5 percent; Southern Vermont is even lower with Bennington County at 90 percent and Windham at 91. The two other low counties were Suffolk at 94.1 and Nantucket at 91 percent.

The MMR vaccinations are given at about a year old and again around age 5. The percentages are based on reported vaccination levels by elementary schools, a majority of which did not have that information available.

Brayton Elementary in North Adams and Craneville in Dalton reported the highest levels at 99 percent and 98 percent, respectively. Hoosac Valley Elementary in Adams, Lee Elementary and Muddy Brook Elementary in Great Barrington were all at 97 percent.

Pittsfield schools had the lowest reported data: Morningside Community was 94 percent, Stearns 88, Egremont 84 and Williams 80 percent.

The two closest Vermont elementary schools — Pownal and Stamford — were also below herd immunity levels at 90 percent each.

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