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.
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.
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.
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.
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