Election 2009: Bond Wants to Connect City to World

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — North Adams needs a creative strategy to tackle the important issues of economic development and job creation. In order for North Adams to properly capitalize on the national and global exposure the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art has provided, a cutting-edge Web presence needs to be created.

The articles in Time Magazine, The New York Times and The Washington Post are read by tens of thousands of people whose access to the city is through the Internet. The new Web site should be interactive with video clips from Mary Grant the president of MCLA, Joe Thompson, director of Mass MoCA, elected officials, business owners and residents. The site should also include the ability to view all the requirements necessary to start a business whether it be retail or industrial. This Web site needs to bring North Adams out of the screen and right into the homes and offices of people around the world.

This new Web site will cost money and everyone knows that money is very hard to find. So, how does this project move forward? The computer science classes at MCLA, Drury High School and McCann Tech could be used to build the site. Local artists could be used to shoot the video clips and photograph all the scenic beauty throughout North Adams. By including our students and art community a sense of ownership is created among these groups of people. The city would monitor content and manage the Web site with the help of the students and artists.

In order to attract businesses in a very competitive market North Adams needs to think nationally as well as globally. The city cannot expect an employer to just waltz into town we need to go get them and the internet is the first step. 

Let's show the world what we have to offer and let's do it together by combining our students, artists and residents. This is just the first step as a more in depth marketing plan would have to created to further put North Adams in front of as many businesses as possible. This first step is an important one and it can be done with everyone working towards the common goal of job creation.

Submitted by David Bond; Dbond48@hotmail.com
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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