Boucher Eyes Corner Office; Incumbents In No Hurry
Staff Reports
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — This year's municipal election could see a significant turnover on the City Council with at least three veteran councilors not running for re-election
With a deadline to submit papers only three weeks away, only three current council members have so far taken out papers: Lisa Blackmer, Keith Bona and David Bond.
Council President Ronald A. Boucher has taken out papers for the corner office. Boucher has gone back and forth on whether to run for mayor, announcing just a couple weeks ago on his public-access show that he'd decided against a run.
Mayor Richard J. Alcombright announced his intention to run for a second term in April. The North Adams Transcript reported on Thursday that former Mayor John Barrett III may also throw his hat into the ring.
Councilor Marie Harpin said she has not yet decided whether to try for an eighth term but a number of constituents have asked her to run. Councilor David Lamarre, who was appointed to complete the term of Gailanne Cariddi after her election to the Legislature, said he has not ruled out another run. Longtime Councilor Alan Marden is said to be weighing a decision.
Another veteran councilor and several-times president, Michael Bloom, said he probably will not run and wants to spend more time with his family. Councilor Michael Boland informed us Thursday morning that he "will not be running for council again."
Two newcomers have already returned papers: Kellie A. Morrison and Robert Cardimino. Cardimino has been a frequent critic of the council and the mayor since the 2009 election.
Those who have taken out papers but have not returned them yet are: Catherine Chaput, a Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts student; James B. Gyurasz; former Councilor Diane M. Gallese-Parsons; and Roland G. Gardner.
Taking out papers for School Committee are Leonard Giroux Jr. and Tara J. Jacobs. George Canales has taken out papers for the McCann School Committee.
The deadline to return nomination papers with the signatures of 50 registered voters to the city clerk's office is Tuesday, Aug. 9, at 5 p.m.
This post will be regularly updated as more information becomes available.
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
I agree.....the council candidates are weak, and the one mentioned above is a complete joke, except for Cardimino......what about Vin Melito, he should run.....
Editor: But I wrote down ... doesn't that count as see? I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)
he (bloom) should resign anyway after his lack of leadership on the finance council "I just cant see where we can make more cuts" I believe is what he said at the meeting where the councilors voted to endorse the override. all 7 of them will be gone I predict
Just a few minutes ago I was reading in another forum about how you guys are soo proud that you've won all the arguments with Greg Roach and "Hinc" and I'm the new target for your anger. Impressive. Now, because you're so brilliant, the only thing you can come up with against me is to make false statements under my regular name "From Here". I now see what I'm up against - not impressed.
Many people know who I am and they are very aware that I would never say any of the things that you've written here. Editor, please take note that the comments above are not mine.
Good luck in life boys. If this game is your idea of fun times, I feel sorry for you.
BTW, I happen to think Mike Bloom is the best City Councilor we have and it will be the City's loss if he decides not to run.
Cardimino is a trainwreck. If more than 25% of the voters go for him, I will be surprised. Prop 2 1/2 did not undo years of damage that he has done to his own reputation.
Every one of them were lame duck councilors with there heads stuck in the sand, until Barrett was gone. Now all of a sudden they know everything. To all of you, you should have had a backbone years ago! Too little, too late. Say what you mean, and mean what you say. Your only as good as your word, and I don't believe a word any of the present councilors say, especially Bouchers!!
Do you even think that Bloom didn't finish the sentence (as we all do at times), and really thought that we would all know he meant? I think he meant that he couldn't see where we could make more cuts ..... AND NOT HURT THE CITY!
So many poster just want to cut throats and let them bleed. Get a brain and have a heart.
Greg Roach and Hinc ate them (Doug, Enough and Wow) up and they tried to bully them into submission by name calling. That's a great way to try to win people over to you side, isn't it?
Robert Cardimino is functionally deaf. I don't mean this as slander, but I believe that he'll be unable to fully participate in council meetings and discussions. Bob is a nice guy but many of his statements are totally irresponsible.
If John Barrett runs for mayor he will dissemble his true motives, which is sole consolidation of power and sole access to all budget items and funds. Things may be ugly now, but they're a lot more transparent than they will be under a Barrett administration.
I can't believe you would write this. Your bitterness toward John Barrett is a joke. I believe he was the man CREATED a job for you when you couldn't stand working for the Thurston's anymore. You didn't hate him then, did you? And you're wrong...things are NOT transparent now. Alcombright started out 2 years ago by paying no attention to the pay scale for city workers and hired his secretary at the top of the pay scale. His latest non-transparent act was to give out pay raises to the teacher's and then ask for a prop 2 1/2 override.
I think you'd better go have another scotch and a joint and get your head on straight!
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:: Preliminary Election: Deadline to register is Wednesday, Sept. 7. (Office open from 8 to 8.)
:: General Election: Deadline to register is Tuesday, Oct. 18
Registration can be completed at the city clerk's office at City Hall.
Absentee ballots are now available at the city clerk's office for the Sept. 27 preliminary city election. Voters may come in between the hours of 8 and 4:30 weekdays. Written reguests for mailed ballots can be sent to City Clerk's Office, 10 Main St., North Adams, MA 01247. Deadline for absentee ballots is Monday, Sept. 26, at noon.
The preliminary election will be held Tuesday, Sept. 27, to narrow the field of three mayoral candidates to two. The general election to select nine city councilors and a mayor will be held Tuesday, Nov. 8.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — This year's municipal election could see a significant turnover on the City Council with at least three veteran councilors not running for re-election