Town Chairman Ed Driscoll spoke of how in 1928, Boston Mayor James Michael Curley came to the strong Republican town of Adams to campaign for Al Smith. Smith was the first Catholic to run for President, and Curly hoped to unite the Polish, French, Italian and Irish Catholics to support him. His coalition was successful, and Adams has voted overwhelmingly Democratic ever since.
Williamstown Town Chair Lee Harrison talked about the great Tip O’Neill and how he lived the maxim “All politics is local.†In that vein, four of the candidates for Adams Selectmen were in attendance. Incumbent Ed MacDonald, and challengers Jim Wojtasek, Paula Melville and Joe Solomon were all toasted by the crowd for their commitment to their community.
The Democratic State Committee was represented by Mary O’Brien and Margie Ware and Lee Harrison, who gave an update on the “Berkshire Brigades†as well as retired State Committeewomen Claire Rowley of Adams.
After a fine meal, and good feelings, the group left with a renewed commitment to regain the Massachusetts Governor’s office and the White House.