Letter: Voting Barrett Is in City's Best Interest
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To the Editor:
Six years ago, I never would have thought I would be writing a letter in support of John Barrett III for mayor of North Adams. Some may recall my time on the North Adams City Council. My relationship with JB3 during that time is what I will term as contentious at best.
During the campaign we argued about benches in the downtown, the direction the city was moving and the city's purchase of properties.
During this time I recall that after a particularly heated exchange between him and me the phone at my home ringing. It was John Barrett calling and he started off the conversation by apologizing for the argument. I was taken aback as I now knew firsthand the famous JB3 temper. As I understood it this is not something he did regularly, apologize. We discussed our general disagreement with the underlying issue and at the end of the conversation he told me this, "I may not always agree with you and you may not always agree with me but at the end of the day if what you do and what I do is in the best interest of the city that's all we can ask for."
This election cycle poses this question, is Mayor Alcombright doing what is in the best interest of the city? I don't believe so. While there are very distinct differences in style and substance of both
candidates John Barrett delivered results. In the six years Dick Alcombright has been mayor, we have seen our property values decrease. Our city is now spending $1.5 million more on employee health care costs than in 2009, with fewer employees. The city had the opportunity to purchase the former Sons of Italy property for $75,000 only to pass on it and purchase it a year later for $150,000 from out of town investors.
We watched as a sewer fee was instituted and water rates were raised, yet we did not see a single infrastructure improvement. We have seen hefty raises to upper level managers while the workers in the field do not have the most basic of safety equipment to do their jobs safely. We have seen an attempt to close the transfer station. The transfer station was once, and can be again, a greatrevenue stream for the city. We were told that the commissioner of public works would be encompassing the position of city engineer, that has not happened yet the commissioner is one of the highest paid employees in the city.
Six years ago, Mayor Alcombright pledged to sell off city-owned properties. He did in fact hold one auction which sold off some of the most undesirable lots in the city's portfolio. He pledged to sell the Windsor Mill, a pledge he again made during this campaign. The mill is still owned by the city of North Adams.
Mayor Alcombright attempted to have the taxpayers foot the bill for a lawsuit against the Redevelopment Authority, an authority which holds assets. The lack of accountability and hands-on oversight of the new Colegrove Park School has resulted in a year of delayed opening. In fact, Mayor Alcombright seemed to defend the contractor on the project by placing blame on the weather. As mayor, Dick Alcombright attempted to dilute the value of a liquor license in the city by having the Legislature create one for a campaign donor.
During these trying economic times I want a leader who can reach out to the governor and the Legislature and remind them that North Adams is here. I will be casting my vote for John Barrett III and I urge you to do the same, to keep North Adams moving forward.
Christopher J. Tremblay is a former North Adams City Councilor
Tags: election 2015, letters to the editor, NorthAdamsElection,
