Election 2009: Alcombright Reaffirms Goals

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Dick Alcombright
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Mayoral candidate Richard "Dick" Alcombright is again stating the reasons he's running for mayor of the city.

I am about economic development and bringing good jobs to the city by exploring all sectors of opportunity in collaboration with local, regional, and state resources. I will rebuild relationships with our North Berkshire neighbors and work collaboratively to grow this region. I will work to streamline processes and make North Adams the most business friendly community in Berkshire County. I will work hard to create an attractive and diverse downtown.  I will work with officials at [Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts] and [Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art] to find ways to further connect the dots between those entities and the downtown.

I will only continue the Mohawk Theater project when we have a project committee raising funds and driving a solid business plan with a solid business partner, an effort that will provide significant cultural and financial benefit to our city. I fully support continued growth in the arts and creative economy and recognize its relevance and value in our community. I will foster and insist on inclusiveness, transparency, and accountability in our government. I will maintain public safety and public services at levels we have all come to expect.

I love to see people and I love to be seen, residents will have access to their mayor. I will empower our School Committee and administration so they can direct the system, review curriculum and provide a sustainable educational model for the children of this community. I will find ways to address substandard housing and strengthen our neighborhoods. I will have the difficult discussions about poverty and crime and the social issues that result. And I will utilize the energy that is in each and every one of our citizens by engaging a community vision, providing sound leadership, and sharing in our success.

Streets and buildings make a city. Vision, excitement, and inclusiveness make a community. We are truly at a point in time whereby we can change the political culture that has evolved. We are embarking on an election that will determine whether North Adams stays as is or whether North Adams can re-invent itself by capitalizing on the shared vision of all of the residents of this fine city. 

Over the next three months and into the debates, I will continue to focus on issues and solutions, accentuate my qualifications, and work towards gaining your confidence and support.

Together We Will Succeed.

Submitted by the Committee to Elect Alcombright.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Community Hero: Noelle Howland

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Noelle Howland is committed to keeping alive the late Pittsfield ACO Eleanor Sonsini's mission of helping animals ... albeit farther north in North Adams.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — No Paws Left Behind Executive Director Noelle Howland has been selected as the November Community Hero of the Month. 
 
The Community Hero of the Month series honors individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact in their community. The series sponsor, Haddad Auto, has extended this initiative for one more month.
 
Howland breathed new life into the mission of the former Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter, which closed in August 2023. 
 
The shelter in Pittsfield operated under the mission established by Eleanor Sonsini, a local animal rights activist and longtime animal control officer in Pittsfield, to be a no-kill shelter committed to finding surrendered and abandoned pets new forever homes. 
 
Howland's love for animals, dedication to their well-being, and expertise in animal behavior and training and shelter management brought this mission to new heights at No Paws Left Behind, a new shelter for dogs located at 69 Hodges Cross Road. 
 
"I want people to understand that I know it's hard to surrender. So, my biggest thing is [making sure] people know that, of course, we're not judging you. We're here to help you," Howland said. 
 
When Sonsini announced its closing, Howland, who was the shelter's manager, worked to save it, launching fundraising initiatives. However, the previous board decided to close the shelter down and agreed to let Howland open her own shelter using their mission. 
 
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