Letter: Tom Bernard Is the Right Choice for North Adams

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To the Editor:

Over the past seven months I have had the opportunity to really get to know Tom Bernard.

He and I began friendly neighborhood conversations this past spring as he contemplated running for mayor. As I spent
more time with Tom I was struck by his many outstanding qualities. He is a dedicated father who truly puts family first; he is a devout Catholic who has volunteered his time with the church for decades. In fact some 30 years ago when I became an altar boy, Tom was the seasoned veteran who made sure us rookies understood our responsibilities and took our tasks seriously. Every altar boy looked up to Tom and respected his leadership.

Tom also shared more of his work experience and the type of projects he was involved in at MCLA and currently at Smith College. This work experience has provided an exceptional foundation for Tom to utilize if he were to be elected. Throughout these conversations, it became very clear to me that Tom would make a great mayor.

As the campaign has progressed and tough questions have come forward I have witnessed Tom in professional mode. His thorough and deliberate manner along with his ability to seek council from many sources really showed me how he will handle the complex decisions a mayor has to make. When it was time to take a position on an issue Tom did so with conviction and data to back up that decision.

It is this method of problem solving that will ensure a transparent and inclusive administration. We are now in the last week of this campaign and I truly feel that I am a better person for getting involved with Tom's campaign. I have witnessed how Tom truly cares for this city and its residents and the tremendous skill set he would bring to the mayor's office. Tom is ready to tackle our tough challenges and he has proven to me that he his is the right person for the job.

As you head to the polls on Nov. 7 and choose our next mayor I hope Tom has earned your vote because he has definitely earned mine.

David Bond
North Adams, Mass.

 

 


Tags: election 2017,   


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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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