North Adams Councilors Vote Wilkinson to Fill Vacant Seat
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Wayne Wilkinson was returned to the City Council on Tuesday night by an unanimous vote of the councilors.
Wilkinson, a one-term councilor who came in 10th place in the last election, was one of four citizens who had submitted letters of interest to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Nancy Bullett on July 1.
The main reasoning from the six councilors present (Ronald Boucher and Kate Merrigan were absent) was that Wilkinson could "hit the ground running" in serving out the last six months of Bullett's term and that voters had come close to re-electing him last time. He had come in 10th by only 51 votes.
"Mr. Wilkinson would hit the ground running, figuratively and literally, he's familiar with our policies and procedures, how things work. ... and he was the 10th person," Councilor Lisa Blackmer in nominating Wilkinson.
"I think we had some great people who applied and we really appreciate," she told the other applicants. "I don't want to disregard what you've done by coming here ... but I do think Mr. Wilkinson can step in and carry on for the six months that are left."
Armed with two letters of recommendation — one from Bullett and another from Alan Marden, a longtime member of the council, Wilkinson read his application missive aloud since they had not been published with the council's agenda.
"As a recent councilor, I would quickly be up to speed on recent council proposals and agenda items," he said. "And in closing, I would like to remind the council that the most recent election, I placed 10th with 2,143 North Adams regiestered voters casting ballots for me."
Wilkinson had served on the council from 2014 to 2016, and on its Finance and Community Development committees. He also served on the Planning Board for 12 years, the Redevelopment Authority for six, and on the Mobile Home Rent Control Board, of which he currently chairman, for 22.
The three other candidates submitting letters of interest were Ronald Sheldon of Liberty Street, Rebbecca Cohen of Church Street, and Allyson Holmes of North Street.
In order of when their letters were received, each of the candidates had five minutes to state their case, though none went quite that long, and took questions from the council. Councilor Keith Bona was the only board member who asked a question of each candidate.
The city charter requires the council to fill vacancies and the council's own rules state that candidates could submit letters of interest and of endorsements. It's used different methods in the past, including selecting the 10th candidate.
Sheldon posed that his priority on the council would be to focus on getting jobs into the city for younger people and working to ensure public areas and local establishments are accessible for people with disabilities. His desire, stated in his letter, was to give back to the community.
Both Cohen and Holmes have more recently returned to the city and both have graduated through the Berkshire Leadership Program.
Cohen, who has announced she will run for a seat on the council in the fall, has a background in health care management and holds a master of business administration degree. The city native said she was running to "bring a new, fresh voice to our city" and that she had the work ethic, passion and problem solving and leadership skills to be a community advocate and "help revitalize health care for the people who live here."
Holmes hoped to use her experience in law and public service for the city. She was a legislative aide to former state Rep. Daniel Bosley, and worked in the city of Boston's legal department. "While I am no longer a public employee, I have continued to be involved in public service," she said, and is currently a member of the Planning Board and Community Health Program board.
Bona said all four brought diverse elements and backgrounds that would benefit the council, but indicated his choice would be Wilkinson. He urged the three other candidates to run for office, as did his fellow councilors.
"I will support Wayne," he said. "if he wasn't the 10th, it would be a very hard decision ... I think you all have some very great qualities."
Wilkinson will be sworn in at the next council meeting.
Tags: board vacancies, North Adams City Council,
