Two Races on Clarksburg Election BallotBy Tammy Daniels
iBerkshires Staff
11:39PM / Sunday, May 17, 2009
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — For the first time in some years, the town has two races on the ballot for Tuesday's election.
Incumbent Treasurer Marie Allard is being challenged by Christa Marsh; Norman D'Amico and Audrey Heideman Matys are vying for a five-year seat on the Planning Board.
Allard, of Wells Avenue, is among the town's veteran officials, having served as treasurer for 14 years and on the Board of Registrars, as well as a term as town clerk several years ago. She and her husband, Denis, and family moved to Clarksburg 24 years ago.
"I just really like the job," said Allard of her reason for running again for a one-year term. She graduated from McCann Technical School in North Adams, completing the accounting program, and is certified by the Massachusetts Collectors and Treasurers Association. She provides accounting services for several area businesses.
"I've always worked two or three jobs. But I really like working for the town, I really like the people I work with here," she said.
Marsh moved to Clarksburg 10 years ago and resides with her husband, Chris, and two small children on Morris Drive. She grew up in Stamford, Vt., and graduated from Drury High School in North Adams and earned her degree in accounting from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
A certified public acountant, she worked for Marlow & Co. for 10 years before stepping out on her own this past January. She has several clients in North Adams and Bennington, Vt. This is the first time she's stood for office and she believes her experience would benefit the town.
"When I worked for Marlow & Co. I did governmental accounting," said Marsh, who added she really enjoys the work and now has the time to commit to the town. "I like helping in the community when I can. It's the right time and it's something I wanted to do."
An unexpected race resulted for the Planning Board seat left vacant by the late Calvin Syms, who died last year.
D'Amico spent 18 years on the Planning Board before stepping down about seven years ago. But a few town leaders spoke to him about running again when it seemed no one was interested in the post.
A former firefighter and police officer in North Adams, D'Amico taught social studies for 20 years at Drury High School and in Bennington before retiring. He and his family moved to Clarksburg in 1984, building a home on Middle Road.
"I saw a lot of things transpire while I was on the board," said D'Amico, recalling the housing developments it approved along with some of the more contentious decisions it made.
He said he's always been interested in serving the community, running for office not long after moving to the town. He's also served on committees that recommended town administrators and streets for the town to take and on the Board of Assessors, of which he was chairman.
"They said it would be like stepping into your old shoes, so to speak," said D'Amico. "They thought I should run because I had the experience."
Matys, too, is running because the seat was vacant. "I just felt like I wanted to get out there," she said of running for office for the first time. "I enjoy being out in the public."
A Clarksburg native who graduated from McCann Technical School and with a business degree in marketing and finance from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, she lives with her husband, Edward Matys, and two young children on Pine Avenue.
She believes her knowledge of the town and varied experience in finance working for the former Textron Inc., starting her own Web design business and current employment as a real estate agent for Century 21 would be an advantage to the board.
"I'm a very positive person, a very honest person," said Matys. "I can bring a new light to the Planning Board."
Running unopposed for election are Ernest Dix, tree warden, one year; Bryan Tanner, moderator, one-year; Carl McKinney, selectman, three years; Denise Chesbro, library trustee, three years; Timothy Shea, Board of Health, three years; Philip Fosser, War Memorial trustee, three years, and David Berger, School Committee, three years.
The election will be held Tuesday, May 19, from noon to 7 at the Senior Center.
Town meeting will be held Wednesday, May 20, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Clarksburg School. |
