Letter: Lynette Bond for Mayor

To the Editor:

I am writing to encourage you to cast your vote for Lynette Bond as the next mayor of North Adams. I've known Lynette for more than 10 years and can't think of a better person to represent the City. Lynette is everything you'd want in a mayor. She is honest, a great leader, has the tenacity to make tough decisions, and an amazing ability to inspire others to reach their goals.

I have been lucky to have Lynette as my assistant coach for the past four years. She has brought many of these same qualities to the court. She inspires the players and is disciplined in her coaching. Lynette has a passion for youth sports and understands how important it is for young people to be part of a team, to learn the fundamentals of sports, and most importantly, to have fun with their friends. For me and my family, this is the heart of a community, on the courts and on the ballfields. This is where communities are formed and Lynette is there-as a coach or as a fan cheering on the youth of this community.

Lynette has proven that she can work well in stressful situations while maintaining a professional and respectful composure. Her ability to lift people up is something we could all learn from. Lynette is compassionate and real. She understands the stressors of being a working parent with kids involved in many activities and coordinates rides between families and often provided rides to those without transportation. She gets it. Lynette is someone who gives her all and does not tire easily. She will champion youth sports and ensure our young people have access to recreation. She will make North Adams proud. I am asking you to vote for Lynette Bond. I can't imagine it will be anything less than a slam dunk!

Al Arnold
Selectman, Clarksburg, Mass.

North Adams Schools Say Goodbye to Alcombright, Await His Replace

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
05:49AM / Wednesday, January 07, 2026

Richard Alcmbright, former mayor, encouraged citizens to get involved rather than sitting on the sidelines criticizing.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The School Committee bid adieu to Richard Alcombright for a second time on Tuesday. 

 

The former mayor was presented with a clock in 2017 upon the completion of his fourth term as chair of the committee; on Tuesday, he received another clock marking his four years as a member of the committee. 

 

"I have 49 years of aggregate elected services," said Alcombright. "My point is this, that I would not have done it if I didn't love it. The rewards of public service far outweigh any resulting things that might come with any positions."

 

He said he chose not run because it was time for new voices and ideas,  and for others who call the city home to step up. He was disappointed by the last election cycle because of its anger and vitriol, and critics hiding behind keyboards. 

 

"Many uninformed or ill-informed people sitting on the sidelines criticizing those who try so hard to move our community forward, trying to make those who do the work, all of you, feel less than," Alcombright said. 

 

"There is nothing more harmful than when we make someone feel less than ...we need to set a higher standard, our own well-intended standard for political interaction."

 

His civic service is lengthy — McCann School Committee member; as chair or member of social service, health care and substance abuse committees — as well as his terms as mayor, city councilor and School Committee member. He's served through five different superintendents and with numerous