Letter: Harrington Deserves Another Term

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To the Editor:

I'm writing to express my wholehearted endorsement of Andrea Harrington — we have been friends for many years, through thick and thin. I look at the criminal justice system through the lens of our community's most marginalized neighbors. Andrea walks the walk on showing up to make change.

She understands the value of harm reduction better than any other politician I’ve worked with. She has been a champion for keeping drug use in the realm of public health where it belongs. She has focused the arm of justice on where it belongs — domestic violence and murder.

She has faced extremely biased reporting by our local paper of record. It has been very disappointing to see the repeated smears. It has made people afraid to support her publicly, even though in private they think she is doing a good job.

It is also worth noting that the courts were fully closed during a significant portion of her tenure. Now that they are open, violent crimes are being successfully prosecuted.

Andrea has earned your vote for another four years.

Stephen Murray
North Adams, Mass.

 

 


Tags: election 2022,   


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North Adams Orders Dogs Rehomed

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A dog owner was ordered to rehome two of five pets over excessive barking. 
 
The new Animal Control Commission was finding its way last Thursday as it dealt with dog complaints, wildlife and neighbor disputes at its second meeting.
 
John Flaherty of East Avenue was ordered to license his dogs and remove two to bring his pack into compliance with the city's ordinances. 
 
His neighbor James Whitney has lodged complaints over the past three years, saying the dogs were barking at all hours of the night and brought a list of times when the noise had awakened him. 
 
"I understand dogs bark during the day," he said. "I can put up with that, but not at nighttime. There were 140 instances between Feb. 6 [2025] and Jan. 20 [2026], where I or my wife or both of us heard the dogs barking in the a.m."
 
Flaherty said all five dogs are rescues and he's made efforts to contain the dogs. He's fenced the yard as well and brought the dogs in when they've been barking and keeps them in the house while he works nights. 
 
"I get home at midnight when I'm working, OK, I let three dogs out. I tell you, they don't make a noise. Don't make a sound. I bring them back in," he said. "I've got the two little ones I let out. They'll yap little, but I can't recall any insistent barking after midnight in a long long time."
 
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