Valerie Hall

Valerie Hall, of 33 Stratton Road, has announced her candidacy for the Williamstown Elementary School Committee.

In a statement received by iBerkshires, she said she has spent the past several years serving the school in different capacities. She is a member and former president and vice president of the PTO board member. She volunteers in classrooms weekly, and has worked on the school directory, science night, field day, the 6th-grade yearbook, and many other projects. 

Hall also volunteers in the Religious Education Program at the Parish of Sts. Patrick and Raphael.

"I love Williamstown Elementary School and am excited about this new opportunity to support our wonderful school," said Hall. "I am looking forward to working with the current committee members, the administration, and the teachers during these tough budget times. I believe strongly in maintaining the character and reputation for excellence our children are fortunate to enjoy at our school today.”

Hall holds bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering; she spent several years designing communications satellites. She and her husband, Allen, have been residents of Williamstown since 2001 and their children both attend Williamstown Elementary.

For more information, Hall can be contacted at 413-458-2853, vlphall@yahoo.com or on her Facebook page.
 

State Treasurer Tim Cahill stopped to speak with our media partner Berkshire News Network on Monday, March 29.

Cahill is stumping for governor under the independent label rather than under the Democratic Party banner. He visited Pittsfield on Monday and took a tour of Soldier On, which constructing housing for veterans.

Cahill said he decided to run as an independent because he wanted to escape the labels of both the Democratic and Republican parties. He will stand a better chance of getting things done as an independent than either party can do on its own.

He's going after the 51 percent of voters who are independent; the same ones Republican Scott Brown went after in his stunning win for U.S. Senate in January. Cahill said he is in favor of a tax cut but that the state would also have to cut its spending, especially in health care. He's also in favor of casino gambling in Massachusetts, something that Gov. Deval Patrick has also supported. His campaign site is www.timforgovernor.com.