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Christopher J. Tremblay*
Candidate For City Council - North Adams NORTH ADAMS - Christopher J. Tremblay was the only one of seven challengers two years ago who succeeded in winning a seat on the City Council.
He was making a lot of noise back then about the Planning Board process and the lack of benches on Main Street. With two years under his belt, he's a bit quieter but his goals haven't changed as tries for a second term.
"I really didn't go in expecting to change the world," the 35-year-old businessman said. "I think maybe a lot of people had that misconception that I was going to go in screaming at every meeting ... and I've kind of surprised a lot of people."
The most junior councilor in terms of age and service, he describes his term on the board as an apprenticeship, one that's been "pretty productive."
He helped the city secure spot in the Field of Dreams Contest, an Internet contest that had a lighting package for a youth sports field as first prize. The city came in fourth.
After a couple of recent dog attacks, he plans on presenting further changes to the dog ordinance "that will give patrol officers and animal control officers a little more bite."
While he was able to get delivery trucks at Dunkin' Donuts to use a designated loading zone, so they're not on Route 2, the traffic light is still a cause for concern.
"We got the delay on the light so you can turn left, but once the delay's gone you don't know other side is coming," Tremblay said of traffic trying to turn onto Eagle Street from Route 2 West.
But what about benches? And the Planning Board?
"I still want benches in the downtown," he said, adding he was aware of problems with the Houghton Street playground with teens congregating on a bench there, but that that was one issue there.
"You can't throw three 14-year-olds out just because they're sitting on a bench," said Tremblay. "I have seats out in front of my [North Adams Pizza Co.] and I have had no issues with unruly guests. I think the benches are needed. Just start with one or two. See how it goes."
His time on the board has also mellowed him slightly when it comes to the Planning Board, with which he had a very public dispute over a sign for his Berkshires Best store two years ago. (He also owns Tremblay Electric.)
"A couple years ago, I had run in with them. Looking back there's a reason for the process," he said. But he still thinks the process is tough for small businesses. "Some of it is too stringent, some of it is a control issue."
He thinks the city could do more for economic development but doesn't think buying up buildings is necessarily the way to go. He was the only councilor to vote against buying the Notre Dame property for resale.
"I thought that was a little risky ... it left a lot of loose ends on what was going to happen," said Tremblay, since the mayor didn't have to come back with purchase-and-sales agreement.
He thinks the future doesn't look to bright for real estate and that should make the city pause before buying or taking real estate.
"It's always a good thing when you can take a building that is in good
shape ... and take it and ensure it's not going to fall into ... disrepair and become an eyesore," he said.
But, he added, once taken, they have to be maintained by city departments that are now working with skeleton crews.
Tremblay thinks the city "Should be supportive of developers that want to come in and should be supportive in a way that is beneficial to not only residents of North Adams but to the people who want to invest ... not buy every building that goes up on the block."
He approves of the city's move with the Clark Biscuit and thinks the Curran Highway development will bring a much-need economic boost.
He also thinks alternative energy - such as hydroelectric and wind power - are good investments and suggests a wind turbine at the transfer station to power the high school.
Tremblay and his wife live Harris Street and are expecting a child in the spring.
"One of the major reasons I ran is because I didn't like the direction the city was heading," he said. "But this time, I feel we're doing a good job." |
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