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Barrett Planning Run for Record 14th TermBy Tammy Daniels
iBerkshires Staff
06:30PM / Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Mayor John Barrett III discusses his reasons for seeking a 14th term during an interview in his office Tuesday. |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Ending weeks of speculation, Mayor John Barrett III took out nomination papers on Tuesday afternoon to run for re-election.
"There was a lot of talk I would not run," said the state's dean of mayors. "Well, I'm running and I'm ready to go."
Rumors had circulated that Barrett would not try for another term in the corner office despite his several statements that he would not begin his campaign until after the city's budget was completed. The City Council and School Committee approved a $34.4 million budget last week.
The city's fiscal situation had been a top priority, he said, because of the global financial crisis' deleterious effect on state aid and revenues. Between this budget and the 2010 plan going into effect on Wednesday, the city had to cut some $2 million, on top of declining aid dating back to 2001.
North Adams' finances are a major reason Barrett said he would run for a record 14th term.
"This is a time for strong leadership, experienced leadership," he said, comparing today's financial climate as similar to when he was first elected in 1983. Nearly 4,000 people lost their jobs in North County back then; Sprague Electric was on its way out, Proposition 2 1/2 slashed the education system and the city had a cash deficit.
Barrett said he plans a more formal campaign announcement later this summer at which he will discuss a few projects in the works and his vision for the city. The mayor's last two campaigns have been easy rides to victory (no one even bothered to run against him last time) but this year is shaping up to be a tougher race with the entry of City Councilor Richard Alcombright.
Barrett said he's looking forward to two or three debates this fall, "where we can talk about the issues and people can see where we stand."
"The announcement that the mayor has taken out his papers comes as no surprise," said Alcombright. "I look forward to continuing the progress and further developing the message of my campaign. I will stay focused, positive, and on message and will continue open and honest discussion and debate as I run for the office of mayor."
Meanwhile, there are a four points that determined Barrett's decision to enter the election fray once again, including his long experience in keeping services intact and taxes low during difficult times. He also points to his strong relationships with state and federal officials in working to make North Adams stronger.
"Fiscal stabilization is critical at this time," he said, to prevent the city from sliding back to the dire situation it was in so many years ago. "The relationships I've developed at the federal and state level over the years are very important to getting the necessary funds for getting things done."
And at a time when the watchword seems to be change, Barrett says his administration has always been an agent for change, particularly in shepherding the city's transformation from mill city to artists' haven. "I've been an agent for change and will be again for the next couple years."
It's no secret that the mayor loves a challenge, and he sees the current fiscal climate as yet another hurdle to overcome. He frequently talks about his passion for the city.
"I have greater passion for the job today than I did 25 years ago," said Barrett. "If I didn't have the energy and the passion wasn't there, I would be saying goodbye." |
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. Comments are closed for this article. If you would like to contribute information on this article, e-mail us at info@iBerkshires.com |
| ITS TIME FOR A CHANGE,JUST LIKE BUSH,THE MAYOR LOKS LIKE HES ALL WASHED UP,,ITS TIME TOO HANG UP THE TOWEL ,,AND FLY AWAY | | from: joe | on: 06-30-2009 12:00AM
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| Many city residents feel they are not given the opportunity to be involved in city decisions. The general attitude of most residents reflects a desire for change. Mayor Barrett has made some good decisions during his time in office; but anyone in office that long should be able to contribute something of importance. The time has come for a new face in the corner office, so Mayor Barrett, please start to understand that the community wants part of that corner office, and your style of governing doesn't allow or understand this concept. Thank you for you dedication and service to the City of North Adams. | | from: Colt | on: 06-30-2009 12:00AM
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| It will be a relief for all of the North Adams citizens when he looses. | | from: just watching | on: 06-30-2009 12:00AM
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| 100-150K people with alot of $ to spend through Mass MoCA's gates annually for how long now??? Yet downtown is still basically a vacant bank. Tourists spending downtown, benches for them to sit on? If it wasn't for Jonathan Secor 100%....downtown would still be a ghost town! Enough of this fear of change and hooligans downtown..Hire a beat cop..have shop owners and banks police them too..CHANGE NOW! | | from: Sol | on: 07-01-2009 12:00AM
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| His 'strong relationship with the authorities he claims is more a long lasting reputation for being a bully. That hardly qualifies as a 'positive relationship'. As for this city needing someone with knowledge in the financial aspects we face...I would think a bank vice-president would more than qualify under that description,wouldn't you? It's time for a leader who listen to his people rather than telling us what is 'in our best interest'. | | from: another reader | on: 07-01-2009 12:00AM
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Joe, Obama promised change and the only change that's come is the few pennies left in our pockets.
Mayor Barrett is an asset to this city; he's not supposed to be everyone's friend, he's supposed to do what is right for the city and he has since first elected. He does have a lot of political connections that are very important for a small city like ours. He didn't just decide to run because his day job isn't going to last, but because he cares about the city.
People voted for "change" in November and all they got was a continuation of the previous administration's policies on many issues, and a ridiculously huge deficit. | | from: Observer | on: 07-01-2009 12:00AM
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| My, oh my what a messy, disorganized office. No wonder in 25 years under Barrett leadership, we in NA are still messy and disorganized. No thank you Barrett, time to move on. Your budgetary skills are messy, disorganized and still questionable | | from: observing | on: 07-01-2009 12:00AM
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| Oh please Observing...some of the most intelligent, qualified people in America have a "messy desk" I view this as a very busy, involved hands-on Mayor. | | from: Messy desk too | on: 07-02-2009 12:00AM
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| mayor barrett is the best and always will be. is alcombright afraid of losing his banking job or something? | | from: robert | on: 07-02-2009 12:00AM
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Is this on what we are going to base "our" vote? I have never seen any candidate run on a platform of "keeping an orderly desk".
Please turn the buffoon filter back on. | | from: Tech Support | on: 07-18-2009 12:00AM
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Yes sadly many stores are empty on main street, but this is no fault of city management. This is the fault of landlords charging to high a rent and the fact that most people don’t have the money it takes to invest and survive. This is also the norm all across this nation today.
It is very hard to compete with the Wal-Marts, Targets and other big box stores for the little guy just starting out, those big box stores are killing the American dream. They import their wares from China and other such nations that pay their help little to nothing. This in turn helps run up the trade deficit and shoppers soak up this trash.
No small shop just starting up can compete with the big boys right out of the gate, it takes at least three years to start making a profit and no new Mayor will change that fact.
Its best to keep John Barrett and retain his experience and connections that he has forged over the years.
This year we need all the people to come forward and support Mayor Barretts reelection to insure that this city continues to move forward without giving the few that supports the other side all the marbles
Philip Carbin | | from: Keep John the Mayor | on: 09-30-2009 12:00AM
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