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 Selects Pennsylvania Educator as 13th President

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
06:47PM / Thursday, April 23, 2026

 Diana Rogers-Adkinson

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The board of trustees on Thursday voted 8-2 to offer the 13th presidency of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts to a Pennsylvania higher education executive.

Diana L. Rogers-Adkinson is senior vice chancellor for academic and student affairs and chief academic officer for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, providing system-level leadership for 10 universities serving approximately 80,000 students.

 

"I thought she was really able to articulate the value of a liberal arts education and our mission to both society and, you know, to our students in their lives," said Trustees Buffy Lord before presenting the motion to offer her the post. "I think that she'll be a fantastic advocate for MCLA within Berkshire County, but also in Boston. You know, my sense is that she's going to be able to fight for us if it needs to happen."

 

Rogers-Adkinson accepted the post by phone immediately after the vote, pending negotiations and approval by the Board of Higher Education. 

 

She was one of four finalists for the post out of 102 completed applications. All four spent time on campus over the past month, speaking with students, faculty, trustees and community members. 

 

Trustees expounded on her experience, leadership and communication style. She was also one of two candidates, with preferred by the faculty, the college's unions and Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega.

 

The second candidate preferred, Michael J. Middleton, provost and vice president at Ramapo College of New Jersey, withdrew after consultation wiht his family, according to Lord.