Letter: Bond for Mayor

To the Editor:

I support Lynette Bond as North Adams' next mayor. I trust her experience and personal sensibilities, and believe her leadership would provide a breath of new life to the city.

Lynette Bond has been criticized as not being "from North Adams." This criteria sometimes is seen as between those lifers who "know what North Adams needs" versus those new arrivals having new ideas, new blood, and a vision to make change. I believe Lynette Bond will bring people who have lived here since birth AND those who arrive with the energy, excitement to participate in helping make this small city shine.

Lynette served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Honduras in the business development sector. Her service is a show of the commitment she will bring to our city. I also served in the Peace Corps in the Philippines, and understand how that two-year submersion into another culture makes one a stronger, more resilient, and an understanding person.

I strongly endorse Lynette Bond for mayor of North Adams. She brings the needed skills, passion and a deep connection to our city.

Michael Bedford
North Adams, Mass. 

Deep Dive: A Guide to Ballot Questions for Election 2026

By John TownesSpecial to iBerkshires
03:45PM / Wednesday, October 28, 2026

This is the second in a two-part series looking at ballot measures and the questions being placed before voters in the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Part 1 looked at the history and process for ballot measures.

 

The following is a summary of the nine state ballot measures in the 2026 Massachusetts election, compiled from various sources. Further text and details on these measures are available in the state's official ballot guide and Ballotpedia, a non-partisan non-profit online political encyclopedia.

 

Question 1: This proposal would expand the Massachusetts Public Records Law to the state Legislature and Office of the Governor. This is intended to improve public access to documents and other records. The current public records law only applies to state agencies and local governments.

 

A Yes vote would support this change; a No vote would leave the Public Records Law as it is.

 

On one level, this question is straightforward. However, the details are complex. Massachusetts has often been criticized for a lack of transparency, even with the existing public records law. Passage would send a clear signal of the preferences of voters, but could be challenged or lead to further maneuvering.

 

A primary proponent of this is State Auditor Diana DiZoglio, who had also filed a 2024 ballot question that requires an audit of the state Legislature. Among other effects, Question 1 is intended to advance that by allowing her to gain access to the information needed for an audit. It would also make records more available to journalists, organizations and individuals seeking information on legislative and gubernatorial actions.

 

Polls indicate strong support for the concept. However the measure has elicited mixed responses among politicians and officeholders. Gov. Maura Healey has said she supports the bill as long as certain exemptions are included. The state Republican Party and the Democratic Committee have expressed support for it.