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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Green River Financial to Award $1K in Grants to North County Teachers

10:29AM / Wednesday, September 16, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Green River Financial Services is partnering with iBerkshires.com to launch the Green River Financial Services Classroom Grant Program, which will award a total of $1,000 to two North County teachers to help fund classroom projects or educational initiatives.

Two teachers will each receive a $500 Classroom Grant.

Teachers may apply beginning Sept. 15, 2026, through Oct. 13, 2026. The program is open to teachers working in public schools in North Adams, Williamstown, Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Florida, New Ashford, Hancock and Savoy.

The grants are designed to help local educators bring ideas to life that will directly benefit their students. Teachers can apply for funding for classroom supplies, books, educational materials, hands-on learning activities, technology, enrichment programs or other classroom projects.

Green River Financial Services President and CEO Rob Abel said the program is an opportunity for the company to directly support local educators and the students they serve.

"Teachers are constantly finding creative ways to make learning more engaging and meaningful for their students, and many times they are doing that with limited resources," Abel said. "At Green River Financial Services, we believe investing in our local schools and educators is an investment in the future of our communities. By awarding two $500 grants, we're excited to help two local teachers turn great ideas into projects that can make a real difference for their students."

The application process is designed to be simple. Teachers will be asked to briefly describe their proposed project and explain how it would benefit their students.

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