NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The future of the elementary schools was the main topic of Wednesday morning's debate between the three candidates for mayor on WNAW 1230-AM radio.

Incumbent Richard Alcombright and challengers Ronald Boucher and Robert Martelle agreed that jobs, growth and taxes were the major issues facing the city but the schools — and the failed Proposition 2 1/2 override — dominated the hourlong conversation.

While the tone and remarks remained cordial both on and off the air, the mayor and the City Council president strongly disagreed on the school project — and Boucher's stand on it.

Alcombright, who as mayor also is chairman of the School Committee, reiterated his support for a two-school option that would see a new Greylock School built and Conte Middle School renovated into K-8 to replace Sullivan School.

Boucher, who attended the last School Building Committee, said he'd rather see repairs to Sullivan and Greylock to get them through the next 10 years until the economy improved.

"I truly believe in my heart, we couldn't get a $1.2 million override passed for a budget, I can't think we're going to get a $6-$8 million override passed for a school," said Boucher.

Alcombright, however, said Boucher "was more than adamant of your support of a two-school solution at that time," including saying he'd work within the community to help a debt exclusion pass.

But Boucher said it wasn't the case. While he agreed the committee should "go with the gusto" and submit a two-school project to the state, he didn't think the Massachusetts School Building Authority would approve it anyway.

"I didn't feel a debt exclusion override would pass," he said. "And I would not go out and market people to vote for a debt exclusion when I was not in favor of having a 2 1/2 override."

(This reporter who attended that meeting does not recall Boucher's stance being particularly "adamant" in either direction.)

Martelle stuck to his mantra of low taxes through most of the hour. "I would like a new school, but if we can't afford a new school we can't afford it," he said.

Boucher also took issue with an email sent from the mayor's office to the SBA claiming "solid unity behind this proposed direction" that included a majority of councilors because the council had not voted. Alcombright said he had sent the letter as head of the School Building Committee based on a unanimous School Committee vote and councilors who were at the building committee's vote. A resolution is expected to go before the council this month.

Alcombright said despite the Proposition 2 1/2 defeat, he felt the city would support the school project.

"We were trying to do what was in the best interest of the city ... my heart tells me that this city would rally around a debt exclusion override for the schools, for the kids," he said.

"I don't who you're talking to mayor, but the people I talk to are totally against the debt exclusion override," responded Boucher. "I'm not opposed to a new school as long as we can build it within our existing budget without going out to debt exclusion."

He suggested the schools weren't overcrowded and the city could wait until the debt from the renovations at Brayton and Drury fell off the books in a few years. Alcombright countered that there are two fourth-grade classes now at Brayton with 27 pupils each; half are on individual education plans. The problem isn't classrooms but space for programs and special education, he said.

Alcombright also said it would be several years anyway before the school project debt was incurred.

"My thought is strike while the iron is hot," he said. "As soon as you start to patch these buildings up you trigger all kinds of ADA requirements, which would trigger accessibility issues ... so what you think may be a couple hundred thousand dollars for a boiler or $400,000 for windows could turn into millions in renovations."

Both schools predate the Americans with Disabilities Act,  but could be forced to come into compliance the federal law depending on the scope of any repairs or renovations.

The mayor also defended his presentations on the failed Prop 2 1/2 that painted a devastating picture of what could happen to the schools saying "these are very scary times."

"I think we made a great compromise," he said in making further cuts and dipping into the city's depleted reserves, which he hadn't wanted to do. He added that his administration had winnowed a $3.2 million structural deficit down to $420,000 over the past year.

"I've kind of dismayed at the idea that people think because I didn't make the cuts we talked about, it's almost like I'm a failure for trying to be successful," said Alcombright. "We made cuts that had to happen but were as mild as can be."

Boucher said more cuts should have been made before the voters. "Duty and the job of government is to make the cuts and after you've done the best job possible of cuts, then go to the public and say we've done our job, we need your help."

Martelle said, "Mayor Barrett left Mr. Alcombright a big hole, he's got to try to dig out of, but like I said, raising taxes just makes the hole bigger."

Property taxes were major concern of those signing his nomination papers, he said. "I have to work a month and a half right now to pay my property taxes."

Voters will decide on Tuesday, Sept. 27, which two candidates will move to the general election in November.

The forum was sponsored by the Berkshire News Network (WNAW & WUPE radio) and iBerkshires.com. The moderator was Larry Kratka, WUPE news director; questions were asked by Kratka, iBerkshires Editor Tammy Daniels and North Adams Transcript Senior Reporter Jennifer Huberdeau.

Edited with clarification, added material at 10:19 a.m.

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.

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. — 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.