CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Martha Coakley, attorney general and a candidate for U.S. Senate, on Friday endorsed Dick Alcombright for mayor of North Adams.
"I am proud to endorse Dick Alcombright for mayor of North Adams," said Coakley. "I grew up in North Adams and the future of the city means a great deal to me. I went to grammar school with Dick Alcombright. I know his character, his strong work ethic and his great sense of humor. When Dick pledges to the citizens of North Adams that he will be open and accountable to the taxpayers, he means what he says. I would also like to thank John Barrett for his 26 years of service."
"I am delighted to have the support of U.S. Senate candidate Martha Coakley in my race to become the next mayor of the city of North Adams," said Alcombright. "Martha and I have known one another for decades and our families have worked hard for the benefit of this city and its residents."
Coakley, 56, was raised in North Adams. She is a graduate of Williams College in Williamstown, where she was a member of the first class admitted to the college that included female students. She received her law degree from Boston University School of Law in 1979. Coakley resides in Medford with her husband, Thomas F. O'Connor, a retired police Deputy Superintendent.
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If, like Bo Peabody's wife and Coakley, you want money taken from our schools to start a charter school that we didn't ask for and that's only for certain kids, endorse Alcombright. If you want a Mayor who cares about all of our citizens, and is tough and who fights for us, vote John Barrett.
If you want a mayor who has stalled progress and will continue to do so stay with Barrett. We don't need 2 more years of the Barrett administrations fall from grace.
We have to understand that Charter Schools are here, and they aren't going anywhere. Our children now attend BArT (whether you like the concept or not)... We need a mayor that will support our children at these schools. Dick Alcombright is that man.
Dick (as well as most of us) understand that the state-dictated methods for paying for charter schools are broken, and need to be fixed. He will work to do that. But the fact is, that we need to support our kids, and that means supporting BArT.
Once again the Transcript has failed the citizens of this community in not carrying out its mission to each and everyone of us. That mission is to report the news of public interest in a timely and unbias manner. This leads one to believe that the importance of the press in the democratic process has been violated, resulting in a total destruction of the Transcripts credibility. No matter who you support for Mayor, it is an blatant attack on the people of North Adams in reporting news fairly and in a balanced manner.
This was posted at 3 am on a Saturday. The Transcript goes to press at midnight on Friday to put out Saturday's paper. The next paper they put out is Monday's. This story was in Monday's paper, what else do you want?
Editor: To clarify, this was received in the afternoon and I had planned on writing a story or column, but had an obligation in Pittsfield. After working for hours afterward to catch up on other stuff, realized I hadn't dealt with the endorsement so posted it as is. Yes, I was working that late.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $525,482 in Career Technical Initiative (CTI) implementation grants awarded to two organizations in the Berkshires to train 80 individuals for careers in high-demand occupations within the trades, construction, and manufacturing sectors in the region.
In North Adams, McCann Technical School was awarded $344,871 to provide training to 60 participants for Automotive Technician, Advanced Manufacturing, and Welding positions. They will partner with T&M Auto Sales Inc., Berkshire Bridge & Iron Co. Inc., Haddad GMC, Haddad Subaru, Bedard Brothers Auto Sales Inc., Lenco Armored Vehicles, TOG Manufacturing, Sinicon Plastics, Adams Plumbing & Heating Inc., and Gills Point S Tire.
"We are excited to be working with our MassHire team to continue to address our workforce needs and build talent pipelines and career pathways in Advanced Manufacturing, Welding and Automotive Technician," McCann Superintendent James Brosnan said. "This CTI award will provide hands-on training and support as we continue to expand our skilled talent pool for employers in the Berkshires."
In Pittsfield Taconic High School was awarded $180,610 to provide training to 20 participants for Metal Fabrication and Auto Technology positions. They will partner with O.W. Landergren Inc., Lenco Industries Inc., Bedard Brothers, Haddad's Auto Group, and RW's Auto Inc.
"Pittsfield Public Schools is incredibly grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Commonwealth Corporation for the CTI award to Taconic High School. This grant will have a significant and lasting impact on our community by providing skilled technicians to address critical shortages in Berkshire County," said Superintendent Joseph Curtis. "We are excited to partner with Lenco Industries, Haddads, Bedards, RW Auto, O.W. Landergren, Northeast Fabricators, and the MassHire Berkshire Career Center. These partnerships will serve as a catalyst for positive change, ensuring that our trainees are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st-century workforce, while simultaneously strengthening our local economy."
The CTI grant program, a state-funded workforce initiative, partners with career and technical education schools to provide adult learners, especially unemployed and underemployed individuals from underserved populations and underrepresented groups, with career training and technical skills to meet the needs of Massachusetts employers. The program transforms career and technical education schools across the state to become "Career Technical Institutes" that run after dark programs in the construction/trades, manufacturing, and skilled trades career pathways.
"Addressing our workforce needs and building talent pipelines and career pathways in construction, trades and manufacturing sectors is a priority for this administration," said Governor Maura Healey. "CTI offers hands-on training that will support our jobseekers, workers and employers. We're proud to expand the CTI awards to these two schools in the Berkshires to strengthen our workforce and grow our economy throughout the state."
Jesse Saylor of TSKP Studio, the school project designer, said the conductivity of the soils were comparable or better than three recent school completed in Connecticut.
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