Letter: Lynette Bond for Mayor

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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.

 

 

 


Tags: election 2021,   


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Letter: A Promise to Keep: The Story of No Paws Left Behind

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

In August 2023, the Friends of the Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter announced the shelter would be closing. For Noelle Howland, a shelter employee, the news was heartbreaking. Rather than accept the end of the mission, she began raising funds to keep the shelter open a few more months, giving the shelter animals additional time to find homes.

Although the Sonsini Board remained committed to closing the shelter, Noelle was encouraged to continue its mission by creating a new organization. That encouragement became No Paws Left Behind.

With determination, hard work, and support of early donors, Noelle searched for a new location and found one in North Adams, renting the municipal animal control facility. Establishing a shelter in North Berkshire made sense for our rural region, where accessible animal rescue services are greatly needed. We believed Eleanor Sonsini's mission deserved to continue and the community and animals deserved a nearby resource.

After navigating countless regulations and requirements, No Paws Left Behind officially opened in July 2024.

We started small, using the donations Noelle had personally raised during the initial campaign. While some equipment from the former Sonsini shelter was given, no other financial support was provided. Much of what we have built has been made possible through those initial efforts and ongoing community support.

Our community has welcomed us with open arms. Many supporters previously adopted from Sonsini and recognize our shared commitment to giving animals a second chance. We are proud to carry that spirit forward.

I share this history because it's important to understand where we started, how far we've come, and why continued support matters. Operating a small, independent, no-kill shelter requires ongoing fundraising, generosity, and dedication.

Yes, Noelle is my daughter, and I am the board president. Even so, I remain in awe of what she has accomplished. To see a then 23-year-old turn an idea into a functioning shelter because she refused to give up is remarkable.

As we look toward the future, we dream of one day having a larger shelter so we can help even more animals. On Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2, and throughout the year, please consider supporting No Paws Left Behind. Donate, attend an event, or simply spread the word.

A shelter is more than a building. It is a promise that animals in need will have a chance at a better life. Thank you for helping make this journey possible.

Bonnie Howland
North Adams, Mass.

 

 

 

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