Letter: Alcombright Inclusive, Transparent

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To the Editor:

I support Dick Alcombright for re-election to the office of mayor of the city of North Adams because I believe he is the candidate better suited to advance the city's economic, educational, civic and social priorities during the next mayoral term.

I was born and raised in North Adams and left the area after graduating from college. Since moving back to the city 10 years ago, I have worked with Mayor Alcombright in various professional and volunteer capacities through my involvement with Mass MoCA, MCLA, the North Adams Chamber of Commerce and the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, among other organizations. I know him to be collaborative, ethical, inclusive and transparent in approaching his work, and always motivated by a desire to act in the best interests of the city and its residents.

Mayor Alcombright has shown a willingness to advocate for policies and programs that he believes are necessary to provide short and long-term stability for the city. I have been impressed by his ability to accept opposition with humility (as in the case of the unsuccessful Proposition 2 1/2 override proposal) and affirmation with grace (as with the community's endorsement of the plan to build the Colegrove Park Elementary School). Whatever the result of particular proposal, his approach in reaching consensus has been the same — present the facts, give equal credence to the viewpoints of opponents and supporters, and act in accordance with the outcome of a fair and open process.



Finally, I deeply appreciate Mayor Alcombright's positive spirit and his engagement with the community. His presence at events and his enthusiasm in supporting the city's schools, community organizations and businesses reflect a leadership style and temperament that will continue to serve our community well over the next two years.

For these reasons, I encourage my fellow citizens of North Adams — and my neighbors and friends especially — to cast a vote in favor of Mayor Dick Alcombright on Nov. 3.

Thomas W. Bernard
North Adams

 

 


Tags: election 2015,   letters to the editor,   NorthAdamsElection,   


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Clarksburg Gets 3 Years of Free Cash Certified

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Town officials have heaved a sigh of relief with the state's certification of free cash for the first time in more than three years.
 
The town's parade of employees through its financial offices the past few years put it behind on closing out its fiscal years between 2021 and 2023. A new treasurer and two part-time accountants have been working the past year in closing the books and filing with the state.
 
The result is the town will have $571,000 in free cash on hand as it begins budget deliberations. However, town meeting last year voted that any free cash be used to replenish the stabilization account
 
Some $231,000 in stabilization was used last year to reduce the tax rate — draining the account. The town's had minimal reserves for the past nine months.
 
Chairman Robert Norcross said he didn't want residents to think the town was suddenly flush with cash. 
 
"We have to keep in mind that we have no money in the stabilization fund and we now have a free cash, so we have now got to replenish that account," he said. "So it's not like we have this money to spend ... most of it will go into the stabilization fund." 
 
The account's been hit several times over the past few fiscal years in place of free cash, which has normally been used for capital spending, to offset the budget and to refill stabilization. Free cash was last used in fiscal 2020.
 
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