Election 2009: Alcombright Attacks 'Whisper Campaign'

11:16AM / Tuesday, September 08, 2009Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Mayoral candidate Dick Alcombright said he is setting facts straight regarding issues that have surfaced during the campaign:

I have recently learned, during my first seriously contested election, that there are certain techniques that are political legends. So-called "whisper campaigns" are one of those techniques. Wikipedia defines a 'whisper campaign' as follows:

A whisper campaign is a method of persuasion in which damaging rumors or innuendo are spread about the target, while the source of the rumors seeks to avoid being detected while spreading them (for example, a political campaign might distribute anonymous fliers attacking the other candidate). (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whisper_campaign)

I am aware that there are whisper campaigns about my candidacy taking place in North Adams. I talk to people and they talk to me. Many of the "whispers" are flat-out laughable.

For example: "Dick Alcombright intends to eliminate the Fire Department and go to a volunteer force." In case I haven't talked to you personally about this, I believe the geography and terrain of North Adams, in addition to its aging housing stock, college, museum, hospital, high-rise housing and nursing home, just make that rumor silly.

Another one I heard was that I would completely eliminate the teachers' health insurance. How could this possibly be true when I am the only mayoral candidate advocating for a review of the health insurance costs for all city employees and retirees? I would never consider eliminating health insurance coverage and, in fact, for an employer of the city's size, it would be prohibited by law.

Of more concern to me are two "whispers" that I am hearing more and more frequently as time goes by. First, apparently I am too nice of a guy to be mayor. It is rumored that I am not tough enough to do the difficult things and make the difficult decisions required of a mayor. The other "whisper" is that if I am elected, I will raise taxes.

Please remember that I am a homeowner and taxpayer in this city and have been for over 30 years. If you have heard these whispers and have concerns, I urge you to contact me directly. I would like to address these whispers publically and will be issuing press releases on each of these rumors shortly.

I do not believe that the majority of the voters of North Adams are likely to fall for the whisper campaign that seems to be so active. I think North Adams voters can see right through this. I really do. I think the voters in North Adams want a respectful, thoughtful and professional government and if I'm wrong, you will let me know on Nov. 3. But, please, do it based on conversations with me and not on whispers or rumors.

If you have questions about my candidacy please call and ask me directly. That's why I'm doing this. I want to hear from you and I want you to hear from me. I won't be whispering to you. I will respond to you directly.

My responses are on my Web site if you would care to see them now. Thank you.

Together We Will Succeed

E-mail Alcombright at info@AlcombrightForMayor.com or call him at 413-663-5057. Also visit AlcombrightForMayor.com.

Submitted by the Committee to Elect Richard Alcombright

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

RIBCO Supply

Check out our great lineup of Boss Plows, and spreaders. 2 Locations Clarksburg & Pittsfield!

ribcosupply.com

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Your Comments

iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.

Alcombright seems to be running a campaign in this so-called news site, iBerkshires.com. He is crying that there is a "whispering campaign" against him. There is no "whispering" campaign, the campaign against him is right out in the open. Alcombright lies period, and that's the way it is. He claims that no new taxes would be added to the property rolls, yet he will expand public service retirement packages? The two just don't go together as it takes funds to expand city services, it takes large funds to expand the retirement packages of the fire, teachers and police unions retirement package, that's a fact. As a sitting member on the McCann council he voted to increase the pay of the superintendent to the highest levels in the county, this he will do for the local school supers [sic] as well as mayor. He is lying about bringing in new businesses, if he could then he should have done so already as a city councilman instead of just sitting on his duff and rubberstamping all that came before him. The thing that many people don't realize is that he is only running to enhance his chances of a large retirement package, why else would anyone leave a job as VP at a bank to lower paying job like Mayor of this city? I'd say more but I doubt that iBerkshires.com will even print this, they didn't print other letters pertaining to this very same subject as it was against their candidate, Alcombright. News organizations should report, not sway the news and political situations. Philip Carbin Editor: Well, Mr. Carbin, you've made a lot of accusations against Mr. Alcombright and against iBerkshires. Stating that someone is lying with no proof to back it up is pretty bold, though I'll give you credit for putting your name on this. If you hadn't, I wouldn't have posted it as I find anonymous allegations cowardly. As to this gem — "I'd say more but I doubt that iBerkshires.com will even print this, they didn't print other letters pertaining to this very same subject as it was against their candidate, Alcombright." — that IS a lie. Our policy, however, is not to post any nasty, name-calling, inappropriate comments about anyone, but we have not had any of those in reference to any candidate — at least until we received yours. Second, Mr. Alcombright is not "our candidate" nor did we do a story about this so-called "whisper campaign." He submitted a press statement and we published it — just like we would do for any candidate. BTW: Your comment was posted in full and was only edited for numerous spelling errors.
from: Philip Carbin	on: 09-13-2009 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

There have been four letters sent to iberkshre.com that had not been posted, all supporting John Barrett. There were at least three letters, oh wait you called them news stories from Mr. Alcombright all posted. So what does that tell us? Er? As for my signing the letter I always sign letters or notes, however I see you hide behind the â€œEditorâ€ which means that you can be one of many different people and ashamed or afraid to post your name. As for misspelling tell it to my spell checker on this computer, note: letters are all written in MS word.. me thinks you speak with forked tongue. (Purposely worded ) Philip Carbin, take note not â€œeditorâ€ and not ashamed of my thoughts as some others seem to be. Editor: As I told you repeatedly yesterday, iBerkshires did not receive any of these phantom letters and that if you had a problem posting them, where to send them. My name is Tammy Daniels and that information is posted right on the Web site. I use "editor" on comments to distinguish myself from my other role as reporter - and pretty much everything else here. And NO, I didn't call Mr. Alcombright's press releases "news stories," you did.
from: Phil C	on: 09-14-2009 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
12:37PM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.

View Full Story