Letter: Bosley Endorses Bond as 'Most Qualified' for Mayor

Letter to the Editor12:00PM / Sunday, October 24, 2021Print Story | Email Story

To the Editor:

I am writing to ask my fellow North Adams residents to vote for Lynette Bond for mayor on Nov. 2. While I know and like both candidates, this election has to be about who is most qualified for the tough tasks that face North Adams. I believe that Lynette Bond has shown the qualities and qualifications to be our choice.

Lynette has a truly diverse background that will serve her well as mayor. She has a master's degree in management. She served as a volunteer in the Peace Corps creating jobs in a third world country and under the most demanding of situations. She has worked at the Berkshire Workforce Board in grant management and training programs and, with the town of Adams, she managed community development block grants programs in housing rehabilitation, infrastructure, and economic development.

Currently, at MCLA, she is the director of grants and research, which brings in and oversees millions of dollars throughout the college's education, research, and student programs. And her eight years serving on the Planning Board for the city of North Adams gives her a view of the city that few others have through the board's role in guiding growth and development in the community as well as their role as an advisory body on other municipal land use, development, and planning regulations. Her entire career has equipped her with the experience that North Adams needs to meet the challenges our city faces.

North Adams faces some tough decisions over the next few years. Lynette was raised in a small town, has worked in municipal government, and served on our Planning Board. She understands the delicate balance that small municipalities face to meet the needs of their communities while addressing tough revenue realities. This knowledge has led her to detailed solutions to create jobs and fix an aging infrastructure.

Qualifications for mayor aren't just about the jobs Lynette has had. She has continually shown her love and dedication to North Adams through her volunteer efforts, such as serving as treasurer and on the board of Childcare of the Berkshires; her work in literacy programs; and her leadership on the volunteer campaign for the Colegrove Park Elementary School Project. She has raised her children in our community, been a foster mom, a host parent for the SteepleCats, and has coached youth sports in our city.

Being an elected official is not just a job. It's a lifestyle where you work 24/7 to improve the lives of others. Lynette's work experience gives her the tools to do the job. And her volunteerism and participation in our community shows her dedication and compassion for our city. Please join me in giving Lynette your vote on Nov. 2.

Dan Bosley
North Adams, Mass.

Daniel Bosley is the former state representative for the 1st Berkshire District.

Tags: election 2021, endorsement, letters to the editor, municipal election,

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

Save & Earn with Greylock

3.30% APY 6-month certificate. Click to learn more! Insured by NCUA.

www.greylock.org

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

North Adams Airport Hires New Manager

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
10:30AM / Saturday, October 24, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Airport Commission unanimously voted this week to hire Skyler Friedman as the new airport manager.

The vote came after a brief interview Tuesday. Although two candidates were scheduled to be interviewed, only Friedman was in attendance.

In total, there were four resumes that a subcommittee knocked down to two finalists.

"All were qualified," Commissioner William Hooper said. "One was less qualified, two were equally qualified, and one was a step above. The two you have this evening were the two determined to be the most qualified."

The commission planned on interviewing both candidates, but only interviewed Friedman. Although the second candidate indicated she would be present remotely for the interview, she never called in.

Friedman was the manager from June until September through the city's contract with Hewison Aviation, a New York-based flight school operating in North Adams. The company provided management services to the city but decided to end this arrangement in the fall.

The commission faced losing Friedman as manager and urged him to apply when they advertised the position.

Friedman spoke about communication, noting he suspected it would be easier as an employee of the city. He also spoke about larger projects at the airport he would like to follow through on, including the creation of a flying club. He said he wants more people at the airport and interested in aviation.

He was asked if he planned to leave the position in the near future for other opportunities.

"I would not be here now if that were my goal," he answered.

He added that the area does not have a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), a position he hopes to fill. He said he hopes to "merge his interests" as the manager and a CFI, eventually relocating permanently to North Adams instead of commuting from Albany.

Otherwise, he said there will be no disruptions, as he has already done the job. Instead of learning a new position, he said he is ready to tackle projects he had to step away from when the contract ran out.

"The past five months have been that process, and I will pick up where I left off," he said. "I stumbled upon things in the interim, and there will be no transition."

In other business, the Airport Commission saw another response to the proposed restaurant RFP. Only one organization responded: East Fork Bread.

Although there was some back-and-forth between the RFP subcommittee and the bread makers, the subcommittee ultimately could not recommend their proposal as it did not fit their requirements.

View Full Story