Letter: Support Tara Jacobs for Governor's Council

Letter to the Editor05:00PM / Tuesday, November 01, 2022Print Story | Email Story

To the Editor:

I watched the recent District 8 Governor's Council debate held by NEPM and other Western Massachusetts media outlets. The dialogue between Democrat Tara Jacobs and her Republican opponent laid out stark contrasts, and a difference in vision beyond simple party affiliation. To summarize:

Tara: Find the best people for our judiciary and encourage them to apply for positions.

Opponent: Just vote on who is presented. The Governor's Council is not an employment agency.

Tara: Work with the executive, legislative, and judiciary to advocate for equity, justice, and other important issues in our district.

Opponent: Why reinvent the wheel? It's been around for 4 billion years.

Tara: Work with community leaders, judicial advocacy groups, and the legal community to get a full picture of a nominee's history, impact on the community, and fitness for a specific position.

Opponent: Forego the opinion of informed and knowledgeable people and just use "common sense" because "experts" have caused inflation.

Tara: Use bail, pardons, and commutations as tools to serve justice and help worthy people succeed.

Opponent: If you are convicted, or even accused, of a crime, you shouldn't have put yourself in that position to begin with.

Tara: Running for Governor's Council as a next step to advocate for justice and equity after more than 15 years serving her community.

Opponent: Running for Governor's Council because of a misguided grievance against a a judge he thinks violated their oath of office, even though he can't articulate exactly how, or even what that oath is (hint: check the state constitution, Chapter 6, Article 1). Perhaps using only "common sense" instead of actual informed opinion, doesn't always lead one to make the best decisions.

The choice here is clear. Tara has ability, intentions, and integrity to work with both government and community stakeholders to help make Western Massachusetts a better, safer, and more just place to live, work, and visit. The honorable sheriffs of Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties all agree that Tara is the better choice and have endorsed her candidacy, and I do as well.

So I encourage you to vote on Nov. 8 for Tara Jacobs under the heading of "Councillor, Eighth District."

Thomas Bernard
North Adams, Mass.

Bernard is a former mayor of the city of North Adams.

Tags: election 2022, endorsement,

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Veteran Spotlight: Marine Corp. Tim Woodward

By Wayne SoaresSpecial to iBerkshires
05:17PM / Sunday, February 15, 2026

FALMOUTH, Mass. — Tim Woodward served his country in the Marine Corps as a corporal from 1983 to 1987.

Having grown up with Tim, you knew he was the type of person who would succeed at whatever he attempted. His drive and discipline set him apart from his peers, even at a young age. He would have four college acceptances after graduating from Falmouth High School, but put them on hold to enlist in the Marines, where he did his basic training at Parris Island, S.C.

"It was definitely an eye opener," he said. "I had some pretty good preparation as my father and uncle were Marines. It was a lot of work, more mental than physical, and a lot of people weren't prepared for that.

"I wasn't fearful. It was about earning the title of U.S Marines. I'm proud of the fact that I was selected for just about every leadership position in my platoon, including Honor Man. I had a great time."

Woodward's first assignment would take him to the former Naval Air Station Memphis in Tennessee for aviation electronics training through a rolling admissions program.

"Made it all the way through — I was pretty good at troubleshooting. I always wanted to fly jets but ended up working on them," he said. "After schooling, I was sent to Whidbey Island, north of Tacoma and Seattle, Wash., where I was attached to Navy Squadron VAQ-129, where I learned to test the electronics on the Grumman EA 6B Prowler.

"I also did five months with VAQ-29. I remember when you drove into the base the sign overhead said, 'EXCUSE OUR NOISE, IT'S THE SOUND OF FREEDOM,'" Woodward said. "I had a chance to climb on the jets, wash them like your car, walk on the wings — lots of good memories."

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