Alcombright Outlines Platform: 'Together We Move Forward'
Alcombright Campaign On: 09:33PM / Wednesday October 12, 2011
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Richard Alcombright, who is running for a second term as mayor, announced on Friday that he will submit several platform and priority position statements over the next few weeks. The intent of these statements will be to clarify his position on issues, and elaborate on his vision for the city.
"With the election approximately five weeks away, I want to make certain my positions are very clear to the public including the positions I have taken on growth, schools, taxes and other opportunities. Through a succession of press releases over the next several weeks, I hope to show you that my positions and my decisions have been consistent with what was discussed two years ago. Most importantly, I want the voters of this city to see that the work that I have done, was done without political bias, political gain or political pressure. I truly want people to know that I have done what I have said I would do, manage this city, bring our finances under control, open up city government and create transparency, utilize the talents of many and begin the processes necessary to facilitate growth.”
Alcombright continued, "One thing that I spoke of two years ago was growth. The only way to stabilize our tax rate and to succeed as a community is through growth. The only way to begin projects, build schools, remediate neglected infrastructure is through growth. My campaign slogan this year is 'Together We Move Forward.' We cannot move forward by looking backward with only a handful of people making decisions. And while I have made some very difficult decisions, I have not made them in a vacuum. I indicated at one point that we are in an economic cycle whereby right now, it is difficult to spend and when you cannot spend, you must plan.
"Since January 2010, I have filled boards and commissions with close to 50 appointments tapping the energy, ideas and creativity of our greatest asset, the people who live here. Many of our boards were not fully appointed and many did not meet on a regular basis. Our boards and commissions are more active than ever and doing some great work. These are good people who are taking the time to make this city a better place. Unlike my opponent who wishes to have less involvement from the community, I want to reach out even more and invite greater collaboration.
"In this severe national economic crisis that has loomed for several years, I am very proud to have been part of what I consider significant successes in North Adams over the past two years. While many communities have lost ground, we have many great stories to tell. Growth at Excelsior Printing, Cariddi Auto, Shima, Shear Madness, Creations, The Transcript offices and I Got Goodies. We have seen four new restaurants - Rub, Desperados, Public and the Sushi House. My administration worked with private investment to be certain the Brien Center remained in the city at the former Transcript building, guaranteeing some $250,000 in tax revenue over the next 10 years. Walmart has installed a sewer system, our Juvenile Court is staying in the city, United Cerebral Palsy has established a new location on Union Street, Carr Hardware is engaged in a significant expansion, the Dollar Tree Store opened and we have secured $3.5 million in grants through the North Adams Housing Authority for much needed improvements in our public housing and we have completed significant roadwork. All of these accomplishments have retained jobs and brought new jobs while preserving our tax base. Again, all of this in the middle of a recession, with no money, just people moving this community forward.
"There are many other significant growth opportunities in the works and I will share those things in my next release. While some think that 'back' is the way to go, I will move this city forward through my continued efforts in working with a host of agencies, professionals, our neighboring communities and the public. We cannot survive alone and must look to the greater region to grow. I will not look back. I will continue to keep my vision clear and I will work with all who want to move this community forward."
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Dick does not have one original thought in his body. The first paragraph above is swiped right from Ron's laterst release posted on Ron's site a week ago. Way to go Dick. And what is he running on pocket parks, benches and scare tactics.
He can't manage a meter maid let alone a budget. Inept. Watch for his latest scare tactic. Vote for Ron and your kids will have no shoes. Oh yea and the Legion was rockin' last night. What's that sound? Oh yea its the sound of Ron's growing support and momentum
Mr Mayor I hate to say it but you have lost my trust. Prop 2.5 was the last straw. We need some actual leadership in this city. Time to give Ron a shot. He will be a straight shooter
Mr. Transparency still did not say or even talk about the 280 thousand dollars that just arrived from the state ??? People are sick of what he calls transparency . Vote RON
Editor: The $280,000 is part of the regular funding the city receives toward its spending plan. The state has not disbursed those funds yet. I Agree (3) - I Disagree (0)
but the above money is a known fact....just another scare tactic by devious dick. Just remember, pride cometh before a fall.
Editor: Thanks, there was a server glitch that double-posted some articles. I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)
How is he hiding this? I was just at a meeting last night that he talked about it... that's not hiding it. Just because he doesn't come to your house and tell you everything every day doesn't mean he's hiding anything.
Happy to see the Mayor talking about the things that HAVE been done... there have been decided improvements and growth in the past 16 months... during the worst recession since the 30's. No small feet. Businesses are expanding and new businesses are starting. Scarfoni is undergoing 3 simultaneous developments: the new Carr Hardware, the new Brien Center and the former Gateway Chevrolet... Great to see this all happening. Growth and expansion... just what the doctor ordered.
Wow....how many jobs are there...10 maybe....what an accomoplishment. In the meantime, a sewer tax that did not go to an enterprise fund as stipulated, no Lowe's, taxes to the levy limit, scare tactics for a possible over-ride, probable debt exclusion vote for the Alcombright School of Lying, and how many restaurants closed...and lets not even mention the mattress fiasco. Oh yea and he cant manage a meter maid
Not sure what the two have to do with each other. The override was proposed due to the fact that the state has given us millions of less dollars coupled with the artificially low taxes we pay here (made possible by the state funds).
Growth is the only way this will be remedied without tax raises.
What I find amusing is that the mayor is even mocked for the growth. "only" 10 jobs. Which is the same amount of new jobs the fabled mattress factory would have brought.
Things are building, growth is happening. Like mayor or not, theses things are happening.
Sadly CSR those jobs are not enough. The businesses that did add all started the planning under the previous admin, including Wallmart. Dick couldn't even get the mattress place. Yes going 1 for 10 is better than 0 for 10 but still sucks
let's talk about ron vs dick...of the approximately 150 papers that dick has brought to the city council, ron has voted for all of them, with the exception of the revised budget...this includes the budgets for last fiscal year, as well as the current fiscal year. ron has also stated several times at council meetings "what a great job the mayor is doing"...makes you wonder why he is running
Ron tends to be unsure on the issues - he must first speak to his adviser before he can give a final answer. No way is he ready to take the helm of our City. It takes more than telling me what I want to hear and a pretty smile to get my vote.
Truth Perhaps he like most of the taxpayers are sick of what the mayor calls transparency. You talk about 150 papers the mayor brought to the city council. Well the mayor was questioned about some of the papers and he said ( it was a done deal ) . What does that tell you about Mr. Transparency. VOTE Ron
I have known both Dick and Ron for many years. I like them both, however I look for someone who has experience with finances and where to look for funding for projects. We know that Dick has these....but Ron. I know the jobs Ron has had in the past 35 years, I just don't feel comfortable with his experiences. We know that being the mayor no matter who you are can not please everyone, and not every mayor will make all the right decisions. But I look for a person who has more experiences in all the right areas that is best for our city. Remember the messes Dick was left with because of our former mayor...he is doing well! We need to continue on this path. Move forward not back to where we were!
A question asked of many who work in and out of City Hall is who does this Mayor listen to? Most say he listens to his pals Eric Rudd and John Derosa but this is not for sure. Both have vested interests and both have very LARGE EGOS which means they could certainly overwhelm our Mayor. Regardless the time is coming shortly when people will decide if North Adams is moving forward or whether Dick has run out of people and reasons to blame as to why the city is going no where. Remember when Pittsfield was the backward place in Berkshire County? Now Pittsfield is moving boldy ahead with new jobs and a vibrant downtown while North Adams is retreating back to the 70's and 80's. Well at least we have benches for the unemployed to sit on just like we did back then.
Editor: This "retreating" meme is popping up a lot. Could you be more specific? I Agree (1) - I Disagree (0)
Concerned Dick looks for funding from the taxpayers even if it means selling assets. As far as jobs go who has Dick worked for and who hired him ??? Please.
And the messes he was lift with were also his . Wasn't he given his fathers seat on the council when the last mayor was in office ?? So I guess he helped create the mess you are talking about.
Editor: That people have assets (which is true), not they need to sell them. I'm not surprised that you misremember what people say. I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)
Editor It may be true my momory may not be what it used to but I think we both know what he was inferring to .
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