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What's PlayingBazaarsNov. 21
St. Stanislaus School benefit, 9 to 4 in Kolbe Hall, Adams. Bake sale, snack bar, games, Chinese auctions, money raffle, crafts, and pierogi.
Blackinton Union Church, 1373 Massachusetts Ave., North Adams; 10 to 2. Crafts table, bake sale, Chinese auction, the Christmas table, and kid's grab bag. Lunch $4, $2 kids.
First Congregational Church, North Adams, 9-2.
Nov. 28
Becket Federated Church, Route 8, holiday bazaar from 9-3. Lunch, crafts, baked goods, holiday and other items. Information: Mary Peltier, Parish House, 413-623-5217.
Dec. 5
Holiday Fair at First Congregational Church, 25 Park Place, Lee, from 10 to 3; handcrafted items, raffles, children's shop, bake sale, cut Christmas trees and lunch from 11 to 1. Includes angel-themed goods from SERRV. Information, 413-243-1033 or www.ucc-lee.org.
Dec. 12-13
North Adams Country Club, crafts 9-4; food from That's a Wrap from 11-2. Information: Sheryl Morehouse at 413-822-3329.
Planning a bazaar this season? Submit information to info@iberkshires.com to have it listed here. |
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Alcombright Campaigns on Economy Development, Community InvolvementBy Tammy Daniels
iBerkshires Staff
07:43PM / Tuesday, April 07, 2009
City Councilor Richard Alcombright and his wife, Michelle, at their North Adams home after Alcombright announced his run for mayor. |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Richard Alcombright kicked off his campaign for mayor this morning with a call for the community to come together to chart the city's future.
"We're going to get the community involved, we're going to find ways to reinvigorate and re-energize our boards and give them more to do," said Alcombright, after a brief statement to media from his Williams Street living room. "My vision [for North Adams] is a shared vision."
The three-term city councilor said his decision to challenge Mayor John Barrett III was made over past half year or so, and after talking with family and supporters. A small group of family members and several supporters — City Councilor Robert Moulton Jr., local businessman Keith Bona and Mary Katherine Eade, the city's former administrative officer who's now working in the attorney general's Springfield office.
"I've felt there's been a need for change for awhile," said Bona, a former city councilor. "Not only who can win but who can make a good mayor. Dick has always come up at the top of the list."
Alcombright said his campaign will focus on economic development, and on education and housing. Transparency also will be a very big word, he said.
"It's a tough time but I think we're ready for it," he said. "I want to bring about a whole platform of shared vision, transparency and community success. I think it's my time, and I think it's our time to do something different."
Barrett has not officially launched his campaign but has confirmed he will try for a 14th term. "I'm running again for the office of mayor," he said on Tuesday. "I'm not running against someone."
The state's longest-serving mayor said he will run on his record of fiscal responsibility, his stewardship of the city's rebirth through the creative economy and his long experience and connections at the state and federal level. "I've had to make those tough decisions and ruffle a few feathers along the way," said Barrett.
And with the city reeling from the affects of the global fiscal crisis, Barrett said, "I just feel I have a responsibility to not walk away from it."
Alcombright said the impact of the crisis can't be minimized but believes there's a way to grow out of it by plugging into regional partnerships and preparing for advances in green technology and other high-tech areas. "The economy will rebound and we have to be on the top of that wave," he said.
"We have to focus on how we raise revenues — that's through business growth and job development," he continued, saying the city can no longer sustain cuts that have decimated its work force. "That's reconnecting ourselves with the North Berkshire community, that's reconnecting the North Berkshires and ourselves with economic development efforts locally, regionally and with the state."
Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art has been a driver of the creative economy, but what do we do next? asked Alcombright. "I think it's wide open."
A senior vice president at Hoosac and Williamstown Savings banks, Alcombright is also a 16-year representative on the McCann School Committee, with nine years on its Finance Committee, and has served two years as chairman of the City Council's Finance Committee. He is a coporator of Northern Berkshire Healthcare and seats on the boards of the Northern Berkshire YMCA, Holy Family Terrace and Berkshire Community Action Council's Individual Development Account Committee.
He is chairman of the Northern Berkshire United Way Campaign, North Adams Catholic Community Tri-Parish Finance Council and Transportation Association of Northern Berkshire.
He and his wife, Michelle, have four children, Casey, Paul, Matthew and Ashley.
"My motto is 'Together We Will Succeed,'" said Alcombright. "It's really about getting people to think through processes ... we need to start thinking as a community."
Alcombright had let media know yesterday of his intention to run. The statement that he released this morning can be found at AlcombrightForMayor.com. |
| Personally, I am disgusted by the stories of bully-tactics and intimidation coming from the Barrett office. Mayor Barrett needs to watch his step because this only makes him look like an undemocratic local tyrant trying to squash out freedom of speech and a free election. Thank you Barrett for all you have done for North Adams, but new leadership is long overdue! Good luck Alcombright!! | | from: Aimee | on: 06-15-2009 |
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| It's long overdue for the Mayor to leave his corner office. Being Mayor, making tough and sometimes the unpopular decision is expected. The people of this city shouldn't have to be afraid to voice their opinion because there may be repercussions at some point and with an esculated temper. We have so much energy from people in this city that is just wanting to be used. Anyone who doesn't believe Dick Alcombright isn't the right man to be Mayor at this time, obviously doesn't know him. He has been called on to step up to the plate and lead many times and always with undeniable success and deplomacy. The doubters need to speak to him and then make up there minds. We need Dick to step in and lead. Thank you Mayor for all you've done, but it's time for a successor. "Together we will succeed". Alcombright for Mayor......... | | from: Max | on: 04-17-2009 |
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Someone new in the corner is long overdue, thats the truth. The only person to ever really come to mind was always Dick Alcombright!
Mayor Barrett has done his time here. He's not leaving any "Unfinished Business" he would be stepping aside after a long career and allow someone with new ideas and new energy to take over.
Wow, and open door policy! Who would have thought!
Go get 'em Dick! You have mind and my families full support! | | from: Its LOOOONG Overdue!! | on: 04-15-2009 |
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| A note to whoever wins. we lost a biulding on Eagle street last year. Now two of my nieghbors on Eagle Street think it should be a park. I can not agree with them, I want another biulding there as soon as posible for both astetic and financhial resons. I'd rather have a new biulding for the tax revinue as apposed to a park when we have a fine park/open space on the other side of the block. A temporary green/open space is fine, I would be happy to help biuld it and take care of it. But permenent park, no. | | from: widgitz | on: 04-13-2009 |
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My goodness... After x # of years someone has found the magic formular... we will change, engage, encourage, support, and give each one in our fair city a voice in what the city can pay, tax, give away and turn a blind eye to. Its sort of like.... YES WE CAN... Perhaps, you are correct, perhaps you have a couple of ideas that make logical sense, perhaps they actually save the city some money.... what type of economics does the banking community use... would you actually commit banking funds to your ideas if your position was riding upon them... what is the risk/rewared, what is the ratio... is you "position" secure after the race if you lose
can you afford to be the person in a glass house...??? I'm not a native of North Adams, I've
been here for about 30 years... I moved here for employement!.. how strange is that!... I came, I
raised a family, own a home, paid my tax's, coached youth sports, little league baseball,ymca
girls softball, and origionally tee ball. I feel I have a right to speak to the issue of politic in this community.
In my mind I understand that possibly it is time for a new thought process in the corner office, perhaps its time for a chicken in every pot, perhaps as senator Evert Dirkson said,"a million here, a million there,soon that will run into real money... I believe thats the same thing the monkey said when it urinated on the cash register... soon that will run into real money!!!
| | from: btwo | on: 04-12-2009 |
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| It is wonderful to know that there is an election taking place between people who are capable of doing the job. Let's just hope that the people who tend to turn to bullying, threats aimed at family members, and other dirty tricks refrain this time and run a real race. | | from: electionfan | on: 04-10-2009 |
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North Adams needs new leadership. That's a fact. If Dick Alcombright has the vision and energy to accomplich that task, I'm willing to give him my vote. Actually, I'm willing to give anybody BUT Barrett my vote - and I'm not a 'disgruntled employee", just a citizen who's tired of being bullied by hizzoner.
It's time for a return to open, honest leadership!
| | from: Another Reader | on: 04-09-2009 |
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| Sorry, scare tactics, but you're wrong. The property tax can be raised 2 1/2% above the entire levy limit, and the city's levy limit is far higher than what you are being charged for current property taxes. Once all the promises are made to all of the unions, they need to be funded, and those funds will come from the property tax. I agree with you wholeheartedly on the state income tax repeal issue. They promised us they'd reign in spending if we voted to keep the tax, and they haven't. These are two very different things. | | from: MIT | on: 04-08-2009 |
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| In regard, to MIT's post, property taxes can only be raised a small amount without an override of Prop. 2 1/2. These are the same scare tactics that people used to defeat the income tax repeal and now look at all of the fraudulent spending that is coming to light within our state government. | | from: Scare tactics | on: 04-08-2009 |
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| finally an open door policy at City Hall. That will be a big change. I'm with you Dick. | | from: Gaby | on: 04-08-2009 |
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Thanks Mr. Alcombright!!! Mayor Barrett has done some really great things for the community, but he tends to do them without anyone else's input while using threats and bully tactics--just ask the local business owners. What kind of democracy is that?
People speak of the 'support' Barrett has received in the past elections, when in fact an extremely small % of area residents vote in part due to the lack of choice. I don't know one person who would vote for Barrett given the viable alternative you provide. You've got my vote and my support! | | from: Time4Change | on: 04-08-2009 |
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| "The city can no longer sustain cuts that have decimated its work force." These are code words for two things - he's in the pockets of the city's unions and he's going to raise your property taxes at a time when you can least afford it. Change for change sake is not good. Barrett may not have the most pleasant personality, but he's kept taxes in check and this city is a heck of a lot better off than it was when he took office. Crow all you want about how popular Dick is, but when he starts giving details on how he's going to raise that money to keep city workers employed, watch your checkbooks. The city only has a few ways to raise money, and the property tax is the biggest pool. | | from: MIT | on: 04-08-2009 |
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John Barrett has successfully helmed North Adams through very tough times.
Now is not the time for our city to experiment.
It's childish to say things like "Dick Alcombright will bring in jobs." No one person can accomplish that - besides, Alcombright has been in city government for years already! What has he ever actually done?
And the two people who showed up at his press conference say a lot about his campaign - Bona is an acknowledged anti-Barrett fanatic, and Eade is a disgruntled ex-employee.
John Barrett in 2009! | | from: Barrett victory in 2009 | on: 04-08-2009 |
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| Finally - someone who has the credibility and amazing interpersonal skills needed to lead North Adams. Barrett has served his time...thanks...now move out of the way! Dick has the financial expertise to better lead our community in this dificult economic time. Barrett's fear and intimidation tactics should leave town with Billings. See Dick run...see Dick win! | | from: I'm for Change! | on: 04-08-2009 |
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| Finally North Adams will have a real choice. Mr Alcombright is a businessman who knows how to work with people. NA needs intelligent leadership to turn the city around. Jobs, better schools and working in partnership with local businesses are things he can finally bring to NA. | | from: Leadership | on: 04-07-2009 |
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| You have my vote. 3 good areas to focus on, schools, ehousing and economic development, all of which have been neglected by barrett. | | from: go dick | on: 04-07-2009 |
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