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

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.

MCLA Presidential Search Stirs Plenty of Interest

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
05:18AM / Wednesday, January 21, 2026

President James Birge speaks at his 20th and final semester opening breakfast on Tuesday. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts hopes to have a new president by July 1 this year. 

 

The college's search firm WittKieffer has already received 14 completed applications with another 15 expressing interest, said Trustees President Buffy Lord, and had more than 80 responses in the five days since the posting went up. 

 

"The farthest application so far is from California, so obviously it has great interest," she said. "I think we have a lot to offer, not least of all because of where we are in Massachusetts."

 

The deadline for candidate materials is March 13, Lord said, and "we anticipate that we will work properly to narrow the candidate bill and remain on track to have finals on campus for interviews in early April."

 

The update came at the opening breakfast Tuesday for the spring semester, with President James Birge summing up his tenure as he prepares for retirement at the end of the semester.

 

"This is my 20th and final opening breakfast address," he said. "In my first address, in fall of 2016, I offered my thoughts on expanding the institution's commitment to DEI and I'm grateful that we've embraced that work to the degree that I would say, has grown to be a defining characteristic of MCLA."

 

That first breakfast saw the announcement of a $2.2 million U.S. Department of Education Strengthening Institution Grant to support student academic achievement.