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City Council Elects Lamarre to Vacant Seat

Tammy Daniels

David Lamarre, second from right, joined the City Council on Tuesday night.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City Council on Tuesday night unanimously welcomed David Lamarre to complete the unexpired term of Gailanne Cariddi.

Cariddi resigned two weeks ago after being sworn in as the new state representative for the 1st Berkshire District.

Lamarre, chairman of the License Commission, had missed being elected to the council in 2009 by a recount that boosted Keith Bona ahead of him by a handful of votes.

"It was just a year ago I stood right there at that gate and got the bad news," said Lamarre afterward of the recount. "It feels good though."

Traditionally, the nine-member council has seated the so-called "10th councilor" to fill any vacancies. However, Council President Ronald Boucher had solicited letters of interest from citizens this time.

Boucher said four letters had been submitted: Lamarre's; one from former Councilor Robert M. Moulton Jr. indicating he was no longer interested in being considered; from Ronald Sheldon, who did not provide contact information; and one from Robert Cardimino, who has faithfully attended - and spoken at - council meetings for more than a year.

Top: Lamarre is sworn in by City Clerk Marilyn Gomeau. Left, Robert Cardimino makes his pitch to the council.

"I regard this council vacancy as an opportunity to fulfill an obligation to the 2,446 voters who supported my election bid," said Lamarre in his remarks to the council. "I can promise diligence, thoughtfulness, and a steadfast determination to see North Adams progress and our citizens prosper."

Cardimino, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor and council some years ago, urged the councilors to select someone with a different perspective.

"This electon should not be a popularity contest," he told the councilors, "it should be someone who has, and has had, an interest in city government and I have proven over many years and many mayors that I have had that interest.

"It also should be someone who is willing to ask the hard questions, no matter how unpopular."

Lamarre, however, was swiftly nominated and unanimously elected. Cardimino congratulated him but said he planned to ask voters to place him on the council in the coming November election.

The new councilor said he'd adjusted to his loss and had begun pursuing interests of a personal nature outside of his community activity. But when it became apparent Cariddi would be leaving a year into her term to go to the State House, "I really had to think about it; I didn't want to jump the gun," said Lamarre. "Actually, for awhile, I was torn - I had started down this other road but I decided on this and I'm glad I did."

Lamarre said he wants to "get his feet wet" before making any announcements if he'll run to keep the seat: "By the time it comes to take out nomination papers I'll know."

In other business, the council continued into February a change in waste transfer fees and renaming a street for Lue Gim Gong because the subcommittees reviewing them have not been able to meet. It also continued an application from Edward Tripodes to drive a taxi for Cindy Tripodes because he was not in attendance.

Boucher referred to the General Government Committee a change for Rules of Order that would limit audience participation to an open microphone session at the beginning of council meetings. Cardimino, who frequently comments on items during meetings, objected to the change as did Councilor Alan Marden. While the councilors said they were willing to support Boucher's changes, they were concerned that the language was too ambiguous for the council to vote on Tuesday.

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Voting Registration Deadlines

:: Preliminary Election: Deadline to register is Wednesday, Sept. 7. (Office open from 8 to 8.)
:: General Election: Deadline to register is Tuesday, Oct. 18

Registration can be completed at the city clerk's office at City Hall.

Absentee ballots are now available at the city clerk's office for the Sept. 27 preliminary city election. Voters may come in between the hours of 8 and 4:30 weekdays. Written reguests for mailed ballots can be sent to City Clerk's Office, 10 Main St., North Adams, MA 01247. Deadline for absentee ballots is Monday, Sept. 26, at noon.

The preliminary election will be held Tuesday, Sept. 27, to narrow the field of three mayoral candidates to two. The general election to select nine city councilors and a mayor will be held Tuesday, Nov. 8.


 

City Council

Returned Papers
As of 8/9 at 5 p.m.
 Lisa M. Blackmer* Yes
 Michael Bloom Yes
 Keith Bona* Yes
 David Bond* Yes
 Marie Harpin* Yes
 Alan Marden* Yes
 John Barrett Yes
 Eric R. Buddington Yes
 Nancy P. Bullett Yes
 Robert Cardimino Yes
 Catherine Chaput Yes
 Roland G. Gardner  
 Diane M. Gallese-Parsons  Yes
Shane Gaudreau  
 James B. Gyurasz  Yes
 Michael Hernandez  Yes
 Jennifer Breen Kirsch  Yes
Brian L. Flagg  
 Kellie A. Morrison  Yes
 Greg Roach  Yes
 Gail Kolis Sellers  Yes
18 candidates returned papers
 
 Mayor  
 Richard J. Alcombright*  Yes
 Ronald A. Boucher  Yes
 Robert Martelle  Yes
 Preliminary election will eliminate one
 
 School Committee  
 Mary Lou Accetta* Yes
 Lawrence K. Taft* Yes
 Leonard Giroux Jr.  Yes
 Tara J. Jacobs  Yes
 David Lamarre Yes
   
McCann School Committee  
 George M. Canales Yes

Polling stations

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Greylock Elementary School

Ward 4


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North Adams Audit 2010

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North Adams Management Letters 2010

North Adams School Building Options



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