GREENFIELD — Mark Berson is one step closer to becoming the Precinct 2 Councilor for the remainder of 2019.
The Greenfield lawyer and writer of the city’s charter when it changed to a mayor system received the unanimous recommendation from Committee Chairs this week. While the all-important recommendation made by a sub-group tasked with finding an interim councilor was made last month, Berson still needed to receive the nod from chairs.
Now, Berson will go before the Greenfield City Council at its full meeting Feb. 20 to see if he will be sworn in as a councilor to finish out the remaining 11 months of John Lobik’s term. If a majority of the council approves his recommendation, Berson will be set to serve at that same meeting. Lobik stepped aside at the end of the year for family health concerns.
Hot topics of a new public library and, now, a proposed zoning changes to French King Overlay District and major development review, are not slated to come up with the council until March.
Committee Chairs, Council President Karen “Rudy” Renaud, At-Large Councilor Ashli Stempel, Precinct 6 Councilor Sheila Gilmour and Precinct 7 Councilor Otis Wheeler present, quickly approved the sub-group’s recommendation. Stempel was the appointed leader of that five-member selection committee; Gilmour was also a member.
The nomination came following a night of five compelling cases for the vacant Precinct 2 seat. The pitches came from Berson, Rachel Gordon, Dan Guin, John Andrews and Matthew Howell. Gordon and Berson were the group’s top two picks, and while Gordon received the most “first-place” nods from the group, Berson was the candidate who was on everyone’s top two. The members viewed their selection as a compromise.
Berson presented himself as pragmatic at the group interview in January, saying “politics of a small town has to be incredibly practical.”
In an interview with the Recorder after the nomination, he said he is a proponent of a new public library based on the knowledge he has as a member of the public. He also wanted to see what kind of creative economic development he could help spur for Greenfield in the capacity of councilor.
Berson, 75, said he is not ruling out running for the seat in November. Nomination papers can be taken out as early as April. During the sub-group’s decision, a majority of members encouraged Gordon, who recently moved to the area and is the acting co-director of NELCWIT, to run for the seat in November, and referred to her as the “future of Greenfield.”
Reach Joshua Solomon at: jsolomon@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 264