City Council Candidate: Ronald A. Boucher
I am married to the former Ellen Shea. We have three children, Sarah, Joe and Meghan, and six grandchildren. I am a lifelong resident and home owner,1976 graduate of Charles H. McCann Technical School.
Why are you running for City Council?
I am running for one reason: to make sure our residents are getting the right representation they deserve and to keep our city affordable and make sure they receive the services they deserve. We are the checks and balances and need to hold our administration accountable.
We also need to support our educational system to make it the best it can be because the future is in our children.
If elected, what issue in particular would you push the council to address?
The first issue that i will address is the sewer fee, i supported it with the promise that an enterprise fund would be established to help with water and sewer line improvements, which never happened.
Also will work to turn back fees that were put in place where a homeowner is charged a fee to have a water main turned off or to unclog a sewer line, what do our taxes pay for ?
What experience or perspective would you bring to the council?
Twelve-year city councilor and past president and vice president; chairman of both Public Safety and Public Services committees multiple times; represented the city of North Adams for 12 years as a commissioner to the Hoosic Water Quality District and elected chairman three times.
Willing to work with others to find a common goal.
North Adams has a "strong mayor" form of government. How do you see the council's role in governing?
We are elected by the people to be their checks and balances and to serve in their best interest and the city's.
The current commercial tax at $36.07 per thousand is more than double the residential rate. Should the city rethink the current tax rate shift? Why or why not?
No, we do not need to put any more burden on the residential side of the tax rate, people are struggling now. Everything increases but their paychecks, we need more commercial business in the city, we need to find a way to market our city better than what were doing now.
There have been claims that blight — abandoned or unkempt properties — is increasing. Do you agree? How do you think the council can be more proactive in addressing this issue?
I agree, we need to put more pressure on absentee landlords or property owners make then accountable!
As chairman of Public Safety Services, the City Council did a tour of the city along with then Mayor Barrett to view the blight in the city, and worked with the city building inspector to get these property owners in front of the council and put a plan into action. We need to get back to that.
The proposed bike path, skate park and Hoosic River Revival have been touted as community development projects. Do you agree? Why or why not?
I support both the bike path and Hoosic River Revival projects. They are both projects that let families and visitors enjoy the true riches of our city and area, and the opportunity for local businesses to prosper.
I do agree we need more venues for our children but I do not support a skateboard park, I think there are better options to invest the money for our kids.
Should the city continue to try to resurrect the Mohawk Theater or is it time to turn the project over to a private or nonprofit venture?
I do not think the city should continue to resurrect the Mohawk Theater. It's been idle for so long now I think it would be in the city's best interest to look for a private or nonprofit group to take it over and develop it.
Plans for the private redevelopment of Western Gateway Heritage State Park have recently fallen through. Would you support another attempt at privatization?
Here are my thoughts on the park: I believe the city should turn over the FYP building in trade for a settlement of the suit against the city. It would be a win-win situation, and put another property back on the tax roles and the necessary repairs and upgrades to the building can be done by Mr. Taylor. As for another attempt at privatization, I would support it under the right situation.
How have you personally supported the community?
In my 12 years as a city councilor I was involved and supported many business and was a volunteer to many events in the city .
How would you reach out to constituents? Do you use Facebook or other methods?
I believe in being accessible at all times, and using social media to communicate with others .
Should the city hire more police? If so, how would you support funding that increase?
Absolutely, in today's times more than ever we need to find the funding to support our Public safety departments, its all about priorities we need more police on the streets!!!!
The public safety building is known to have a number of deficiencies, including violations of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Can the city afford to push for a new facility or should it try to "Band-Aid" the current structure?
I think we need to find a way to house all our Public Safety Departments under one roof. It will be more cost effective for the city. There is no need to continue to put money into upgrades at the present building its past it time, we need to be more efficient and smarter on how we spend and invest.
Heroin and opiate addiction have been related to increasing crime. Should North Adams focus on more policing, on getting addicts help or a combination of the two?
We need the courts to be tougher on repeat offenders that commit drug-related crimes and not just a slap them on the wrist. Also I believe in helping the individuals that want the help to over come there addictions. And, yes, we need to keep our police safe out there.
Do you think city government is transparent enough in its processes? Could it be better? Would you support an Open Checkbook system?
I think the city is very transparent in it processes, information is at people's fingertips.
A thriving community requires a diverse population, yet the city and Berkshires overall are seeing a decline in its younger population. What initiatives might the council be able to support to attract young people?
Jobs, jobs
Adams and Williamstown recently developed economic development committees. Should North Adams do so as well?
I would support a economic development committee that would include a combination of business people and blue collar workers and young people and use their input to put a solid plan together.
Tags: candidates, election 2015, NorthAdamsElection,
