Alcombright Campaign On: 10:14AM / Monday October 31, 2011
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Richard Alcombright, who is running for a second term as mayor, said in a statement that this election "might just boil down to campaign slogans":
"In my previous communications, I outlined many of the positive things that have happened since I took office in January 2010.
"My slogan is 'Together We Move Forward.' Now this is a pretty basic statement but it says quite a bit. Simply stated, they are words that take us from where we are and continue to allow us to focus on where we want to go. My candidacy, my re-election, another term in office can only be successful through an inclusionary process that allows public input most specifically as it relates to the future of our fine city. We can only do this together.
"To hold on to our momentum, we must continue to involve many people in processes that push us to new limits as we focus on growth and economic recovery. This is what we need to do to move.
"Finally, I have worked tirelessly over the past 22 months to begin to move our city in the right direction. I have done this with the support of many at times and with very little support in other cases. My first two years have not been easy but they have displayed courage and progress at many levels. I will not compromise my mission nor the intent of my slogan if elected to this next term, and will continue to look forward.
"I and many others have worked too hard to look back. The city of North Adams deserves the opportunity to recognize its potential and we will, over time. With few monetary resources, it will take every ounce of human capital to help us reach our full potential. I have said that there are many things that make us look much bigger than we truly are: MCLA, Mass MoCA, North Adams Regional Hospital, our airport and our natural beauty and amenities. Couple those with a growing diversity within our populace, the will of our residents, the willingness of people to be involved and an open and accessible government and I think we have a great recipe for success.
"I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to be your mayor for the past 22 months. I fully intend to continue to do what I think is right and will make decisions based on well thought out and fully vetted processes. While I have provided sound fiscal management, proven that I can make difficult decisions, upheld my promise to be transparent and accessible, I need to do more.
"I need to do more in the way of economic development, I need to do more with our decaying infrastructure, I need to do more to clean up neighborhoods and I need to do more to control costs and promote efficiencies. I will work hard to accomplish these goals in my continued efforts to move us forward ... together."
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Dick my patience with you is at an end. A week out and instead of specifics this is all you have? Who writes this stuff?
This is why people are flocking to Ron
What Mr. Alcombright has a problem understanding is that North Adams was heading in the right direction until he took over. When has a candidate for mayor anywhere mentioned a Dollar Tree store as an accomplishment. Dickie sure has us headed in the right direction, higher taxes and fees, higher crime rate, raises for the unions, missing funds, more slum lords and he wants two more years. Dick Alcombright has been an embarrassment as Mayor and I hope as election day draws near more people will see what he has done to drag North Adams down.
The mayor has said he would like a surplus ?? Of what ??? He has spent more money than the city has and told us he is going to keep doing the same thing ??? How in the world can you ever have a surplus of anything if you keep spending or giving away more than what you have ?? That does not make any sense.
Giving away taxable property to non profits does not help the tax base. All he talks about is the arts and MCLA. Wonderful but they alone will not support the city. If this is his only ideas we in more trouble than we are now .
RealWayne, you can't be serious. How fast everyone forgets the past. Alcombright has turned our city budget around in just two years. He's absorbed the state funding shortfall and settled the insurance trust disaster without the help of a Prop 2 1/2 override or the help of much reserve cash (because the former mayor depleted that on his last day in office).
Now, you say he has "spent more than the city has"? What would our budget look like today if he hadn't been elected? Barrett would have been forced to tax to the override limit (same as now) but he'd still be in denial fighting with the union over the insurance issue. Or worse, we could be facing millions of dollars in paybacks to the unions with no way to pay for it. What would the cuts look like then? A sewer fee would be just a drop in the bucket.
I can't believe anyone thinks NA was heading in the right direction under the Barrett administration. He depleated any account he could in order to keep taxes appearing under control. I spoke with a woman who was mayor of Pittsfield and when she took office received a call from Barrett telling her the most money he had found was in the cemetery funding. This is the way to run a city properly? I don't think so. Keeping taxes as low as possible while providing the services people demand is always a tough job. Keep working to attract business to NA, hopefully manufacturing, so they will support the tax base.
Fair and Balanced is criticizing the Mayor for lack of a plan, yet he is satisfied that Boucher has a plan because he has "spoken to Ron" about it? Why won't he tell the rest of us?
Boucher wants to cut the sewer fee in half, but has no clue how he will balance the budget or where the lost revenue will come from. Re-elect Alcombringht
A Plan ? How about you picking up the phone and asking him ?? We know what Dicks plan is. To keep taxing and spending money the city does not have. This is what he calls moving froeard ??? NO THANKS !!! VOTE RON
conway hills Are you on drugs??? Who is talking about John. Are you stuck in a time warp ?? Let me help you catch up with everyone else. John Barrett is not running for mayor. VOTE FOR RON
The cities of Pittsfield and North Adams will hold municipal elections for mayor, city council and school committee in 2015
You may vote absentee: if you will be absent from your town or city on election day, have a physical disability that prevents you from voting at the polls or cannot vote at the polls because to religious beliefs.
State Election
