NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - Michael Bloom, a local businessman, is running for re-election to the City Council for an 11th term.
Bloom, 50, and his wife, Lorrie, have three children in the public schools. Susan, 15, is in 10th grade at Drury high School; Sarah, 13, is in 8th grade, also at Drury, and 12-year-old Michael is in 6th grade at Sullivan.
Bloom graduated from the former North Adams State College with a degree in communications in 1982. He has been self-employed for more than 25 years in property management. He and his wife own several residential and commercial properties in the city and area. They also own Key West Lounge, which was opened in 1986, and employ 12 people.
Bloom said, "I have been on the City Council for 10 straight terms and have served on every committee. I am currently the chairman of the Finance Committee. I have served as council president for four years. I have served as a board member of many youth sports organizations and coach many youth sports teams."
Reason I am running for Council:
I am running for a seat on the North Adams City Council to continue what I started when first elected 20 years. That is to positively help in the critical decision making that makes North Adams an attractive and affordable community to live in.
Decisions like funding for new schools, improving our streets and downtown, changing zoning laws to accommodate business needs, removing blighted houses and revitalizing neighborhoods. I will continue to objectively evaluate all proposals given to the council and vote in the best interest of the community.
As a small business owner I can appreciate the sacrifice made by so many people to provide jobs and I will continue to support initiatives like tax incremental financing (TIF) to promote job growth. As a parent and coach I will continue to support initiatives to improve our recreation facilities and activities for families and children. As your councilor I will make the hard decisions at budget time and support proposals that strengthen our public services, public safety, and schools. And I will to continue to support an affordable property tax.
What I will bring to the Council:
I will bring my 20 years of council experience as well as the ability to objectively deal with the many new ideas that will evolve from an ever changing business, political and social climate. I thoroughly understand council procedures, dealing with budgets, working out ordinances and resolutions.
I will continue to be very accessible to community requests and help people with their city concerns. I understand the importance of a creative economy and support initiatives to better position the community as we move further into this fast moving computer age. I bring family values to the council with three children in North Adams public schools. I understand the challenges of raising children in this era of instant messaging, texting, reality TV and all the other distractions that most of us missed in our childhood.
Most Important issues facing North Adams:
The most important issues North Adams city government faces are directly related to our budget and our ability to keep our taxes and fees affordable while still providing the many services people appreciate. With the national economy stagnant, we need to be vigilant about our revenues and expenses necessary to run the city. We must keep an eye on our state funding and manage our resourses well in the event of budget cuts. We must continue to move the city forward through good government, stronger business and a strong community spirit.
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