Election 2009: Alcombright Reaffirms Goals

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Dick Alcombright
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Mayoral candidate Richard "Dick" Alcombright is again stating the reasons he's running for mayor of the city.

I am about economic development and bringing good jobs to the city by exploring all sectors of opportunity in collaboration with local, regional, and state resources. I will rebuild relationships with our North Berkshire neighbors and work collaboratively to grow this region. I will work to streamline processes and make North Adams the most business friendly community in Berkshire County. I will work hard to create an attractive and diverse downtown.  I will work with officials at [Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts] and [Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art] to find ways to further connect the dots between those entities and the downtown.

I will only continue the Mohawk Theater project when we have a project committee raising funds and driving a solid business plan with a solid business partner, an effort that will provide significant cultural and financial benefit to our city. I fully support continued growth in the arts and creative economy and recognize its relevance and value in our community. I will foster and insist on inclusiveness, transparency, and accountability in our government. I will maintain public safety and public services at levels we have all come to expect.

I love to see people and I love to be seen, residents will have access to their mayor. I will empower our School Committee and administration so they can direct the system, review curriculum and provide a sustainable educational model for the children of this community. I will find ways to address substandard housing and strengthen our neighborhoods. I will have the difficult discussions about poverty and crime and the social issues that result. And I will utilize the energy that is in each and every one of our citizens by engaging a community vision, providing sound leadership, and sharing in our success.

Streets and buildings make a city. Vision, excitement, and inclusiveness make a community. We are truly at a point in time whereby we can change the political culture that has evolved. We are embarking on an election that will determine whether North Adams stays as is or whether North Adams can re-invent itself by capitalizing on the shared vision of all of the residents of this fine city. 

Over the next three months and into the debates, I will continue to focus on issues and solutions, accentuate my qualifications, and work towards gaining your confidence and support.

Together We Will Succeed.

Submitted by the Committee to Elect Alcombright.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Q&A with State Representative Challenger Andrew Fitch

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — On Sept. 1, voters in the First Berkshire District will decide whether they want to send a new representative to Beacon Hill in Boston.
 
Andrew Fitch, currently a city councilor in the district's largest municipality — and the commonwealth's smallest city — is challenging former North Adams Mayor John Barrett III, who won the First Berkshire seat in a 2017 special election, in the Democratic Party primary.
 
There is no Republican on the primary ballot for the First Berkshire seat so the primary will effectively be the election for the seat. 
 
The two candidates met for their only debate on Aug. 13 at Williams College. iBerkshires.com reached out to both candidates to follow up on some of the points raised in the debate and get their thoughts on some other issues facing the district.
 
Below are excerpts from a conversation with challenger Andrew Fitch:
 
Question: From the very beginning, you talked about the campaign as a listening experience, and this week you're continuing that with the bike tour …
 
Andrew Fitch: Knocking on doors that have never been knocked on before. … I was riding through, I believe it was Hinsdale coming into Windsor, and they started to yell at me, 'No!' And then the guy was like, 'Wait a second. That's Andrew Fitch.' They actually knew who I was, and they were actually wanting to chat with me.
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