NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Mayoral candidate Ron Boucher would like to thank all supporters who participated in the campaign kick-off event on Sept. 14, and the Meet-The-Candidate Picnic on Sept. 18.

"It was really great meeting some new faces and hearing what you all have to say. I appreciate you taking the time to show your support for getting 'Back to Basics.' The turnout at these events clearly shows that residents in North Adams are unhappy," said Boucher, currently City Council president. "In the upcoming weeks, my campaign will be releasing press releases to the media each week regarding important issues facing this city, and I look forward to debating these issues with my opponent.

"Please remember, preliminary day is next Tuesday, Sept. 27. At this crucial point in time for our city, it is very important that all residents take the time to make their voices heard and vote. I would like to ask for your support in this pivotal election for the future of North Adams."

Learn more about Boucher and his campaign by visiting www.VoteBoucher2011.com. Inquiries can be mailed to VoteBoucher2011@yahoo.com.

Release from Ryan Scago, who is running for the Democratic nomination for state representative for the 3rd District.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — In the wake of President Obama's speech and call for another jobs and economic development package I feel that the state of Massachusetts should take the initiative and put together its own economic stimulus geared specifically to the state and its residents.

This package should include but not be limited to a detailed list of important infrastructure improvements and reinvestment on key components such as roads, bridges and rail lines. An emphasis should be placed on job creation through any means necessary, coming in the form of tax incentives where if employers add on a certain percentage of new employees, or rehire workers that are currently out of work they receive a reduction in taxes.

This bill should also call for provisions to help those currently unemployed seek out training to switch into different job markets in order to increase opportunities for job placement.

As part of this package I would also encourage lawmakers to consider raising the personnel income exemption in an effort to keep more money in the pockets of hardworking Massachusetts residents. I would recommend the legislature put its head together and find other means to replace any lost revenue.

I feel the fiscal problems that are faced today need creative and innovative solutions, and no form of government is in a better position to meet these needs than state government. That in mind, one potential solution would be provisions for people that want to work or pay down debt to be allowed to do community service, perhaps even for their lender in an effort to reduce debt through labor instead of repayment in monetary terms.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The so-far low key campaign of mayoral challenger Ronald Boucher shifted into high gear on Wednesday night as he came out swinging against the incumbent.

Boucher, a six-term councilor, described North Adams as headed in the wrong direction and floundering because of Mayor Richard Alcombright's lack of leadership and careless handling of finances.

"As mayor I will bring transparency and responsibility to city government and the taxpayers will know the true financial condition of this city," said Boucher to an enthusiastic crowd of about 100 at the American Legion for his campaign kickoff. "Mayor Alcombright has not been transparent and has done everything possible to hide the true financial condition of this city."

The council president took particular aim at the failed $1.2 million Proposition 2 1/2 override and the mayor's contention at a series of public meetings that it would have dire consequences on the city's schools and services. 

"He predicted devastation would happen to the school system and the city if the override should fail," said Boucher, adding "schoolchildren were encourage to stand on the street" holding signs in support. "The devastation the mayor said would happen did not happen ... and we wonder why people do not trust their elected officials."

A number of his statements garnered applause; a few of his supporters were decked in bright red T-shirts with his campaign slogan "Back to Basics."

He claimed the current administration had sought an override to cover $700,000 in union raises and that the school system had been sitting on $1.1 million in available funds. A sewer fee that was supposed to go into an enterprise fund was also being used for pay raises, he said.

The 54-year-old Boucher continued on the attack, saying Alcombright had promised jobs but produced none, watched businesses leave and the hospital fall into bankruptcy, and failed to cultivate the Beacon Hill contacts that would have garnered the city some of the economic development money targeted last month to Adams and Pittsfield.

Boucher said "benches, pocketparks and painted crosswalks" don't add up to economic growth and took Alcombright to task for describing the city's financial condition as "just a little below horrible" in a recent story in The Boston Globe.

"The job of a mayor is to sell and promote the city in a way that will bring people here and not keep them away ... why would anybody consider coming to North Adams after reading the mayor's comments?" he asked. "A true leader should challenge negative portrayals of their city."

Boucher said he would move to establish a for-profit foundation to leverage $2 million in tax credits "awarded the prior administration" to create a Monument Square Business Center that would include the vacant churches and Conte Middle School. Boucher, who had appeared to support a two-school project last month, said decisively on Wednesday that Conte should not be renovated for use as a school because it would limit the area's potential.

He did not offer a position on the school project, which currently is to renovate Conte and construct a new Greylock School.

He also pledged to forge contacts in Boston and aggressively pursue businesses and move forward with the Mohawk Theater project. He envisioned a "resurgent downtown" that could include a longtime favorite of the Barrett administration - a boutique hotel on Eagle Street.

"I will not be passing out pay raises while cutting programs nor will I raise taxes to fund contracts," he vowed. "As your mayor, I will surround myself with the best and brightest people ... I will not tolerate any appareance of conflicts of interest in my administration; transparency will not be just talked about, it will be practiced."

Boucher's challenge is already late in the campaign season; a preliminary between he, fellow challenger Robert Martelle and Alcombright is in two weeks.

While most challengers start early (Alcombright kicked off his campaign against John Barrett III in April 2009), Boucher said he's not worried, nor was he disappointed at the turnout.

"We started our work way before tonight. We've been at it for about two months almost," he said. "We've been making lots of phone calls, we've been identifying the vote, we've been having a lot of meetings ...

"We're ready to roll."

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Local attorney Jennifer M. Breen Kirsch has announced her candidacy for a seat on the North Adams City Council.

"Both sides of my family, the Breens and the Zoitos, settled in North Adams in the 1860s, and I have chosen to come home after practicing law in Cambridge as a Middlesex County assistant district attorney, where I worked during the tenure of then District Attorney Martha Coakley, another North Adams native."

Breen Kirsch's grandparents and great-grandparents are the former owners of Breen Flowers and Gifts. Her parents, MaryEllen and Peter Breen, are local schoolteachers.

"I hold my parents' careers as teachers in the highest regard, and have the utmost respect for the profession. Listening to constituents in the Sullivan School neighborhood recently, I believe that my interest in education will be integral in resolving the school building issue. Many residents have expressed their concerns to me, and I intend on bringing their concerns to the forefront."

Breen Kirsch recently opened a law practice at Mass MoCA, where she runs a general practice, with a strong focus on the representation of children in the foster care system.

"I handle care and protection cases, primarily, because of my concern for children in the foster-care system, and have stayed in this focus, even while I have moved on to probate matters, and criminal defense. Children are the primary focus of my practice, and always will be."

In addition to her law practice, Breen Kirsch has served as chairman of the North Adams Housing Authority.

"I enjoyed my time as the chairman of the Housing Authority, but deemed it appropriate to step down to run for public office. While I know that serving on both is not statutorily prohibited, I believe it is a conflict of interest, and for ethical reasons, believe I should choose one focus. Running for City Council is my focus, and is the natural offshoot of the 'mini-city' over at NAHA, that I helped run this past year. I strongly support good, public housing in our city, but it is time to expand my breadth of civic duty."

Breen Kirsch graduated from Union College and Northeastern University School of Law. She has been practicing law for seven years, this November, two of those years having been served as a Middlesex prosecutor. During law school, Breen Kirsch interned in the U.S. attorney's office, the attorney general's office, the Suffolk County district attorney's office, and as an intern for the honorable Stephen Lymon of the Suffolk County Juvenile Court.

Breen Kirsch has also served on the Neighborhood Crime Watch, recently begun in North Adams.

"I appreciate the opportunity given to me by Mayor Alcombright to volunteer for this group. However, I think from the experience I have had in criminal justice and criminal law, that I could impact the city in this regard from the public safety subcommittee, on the city council, especially given the transition that the city is going through with the structure of the NAPD."

Upon her return to North Adams, Breen Kirsch became involved in local political campaigns.

"However, I am my own person. Whoever wins the mayor's race, I will work with him or — against him. Whatever is best for my constituents, whatever my constituents want. I am looking for your vote on Nov. 8."

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Citing the need to return "Back to Basics," Ronald Boucher will announce his candidacy for mayor on Sept. 14 at the American Legion in North Adams beginning at 7 p.m. The event is free to the public.

Boucher is six-term city councilor and is currently president.

"Having been a lifelong resident of North Adams, I am very concerned for the city's future. I believe I can bring the fiscal discipline required in these challenging economic times, in addition to bringing the leadership qualities to make the tough decisions," he said in a statement. "Also, my experience in the business industry will allow me to be more of a 'hands on' mayor, and assist in developing relationships and inducements with potential businesses looking to expand or move to North Adams."

"In the upcoming weeks, my campaign will be releasing specific proposals in regards to growing the local economy, and protecting critical city services, without the need to increase the burden on taxpayers. I would like to invite the public to the American Legion on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. to further discuss my ideas for the future of North Adams."

The preliminary election is Tuesday, Sept. 27; election day is Tuesday, Nov. 8. 

You can learn more about Ron Boucher and his campaign by visiting www.VoteBoucher2011.com.  Inquiries can be mailed to VoteBoucher2011@yahoo.com.

For more information, contact Bob Moulton at 413-441-3067.