Election 2009: Lamarre Introduces Himself to Voters
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — My name is David Lamarre and I'm a candidate for the North Adams City Council.As someone with deep roots in our community and endless optimism for what this small beautiful city could be, I put myself before the North Adams voters hoping that you judge me worthy to serve. Supporting our common interests, encouraging the ambitions of our citizens and working to improve the quality of life for all residents is my single and most hopeful promise.
Please allow me to share a little about myself. I am one of seven children of Edward and Claire Lamarre. Many will remember my father for his 40 years as an educator and coach in the public school system and my mother as a homemaker. After the youngest began school she returned full time to the work force, eventually retiring from the North Adams building department.
My parents provided a wonderful example of selflessness and sacrifice. My memories of their devotion to family and community inspire and guide me every day. Five of their children have remained in North Adams and have built their professional and family lives here. All are prospering in spite of the notion that this area offers little worth staying, or returning for. I married Jane Marie Dougherty, the daughter of Alfred and Betty Dougherty. Jane Marie is a lifelong resident of this city. She is active in the community and has worked for the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission for close to 25 years.
Our families and friends share the bond of common values, a passion for community participation and the optimistic viewpoint that North Adams will continue to grow into an even stronger, more vibrant community.
Jane Marie and I support Mass MoCA through membership, annual donations and frequent attendance of events and gallery exhibitions. We likewise support the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts performance series MCLA Presents. During the past three summers, we have had the pleasure of hosting a SteepleCats baseball player in our home and have been avid fans and boosters from the earliest days of the organization. I currently serve the city as chairman of the License Board. Having been a board member for several years, I can say that this experience has been challenging and gratifying.
My professional background is diverse. I'd spent many years working in the hospitality industry, earning my way from dishwasher to executive chef to dining services manager and everything in between. Along the way I earned degrees in culinary arts and restaurant management. I've worked at luxury hotels, country inns and urban restaurants, college dining services and a residential high school. I can't forget the five incredible summers I spent as the chef for the artist residency program at the Contemporary Artist Center in the Beaver Mill, an experience that opened up a fascinating new world of people, creativity and an appreciation for art and those who devote themselves to making it.
Three years ago, I changed careers and now work for Williams College as a supervisor for facilities services.
As a city councilor I will draw upon my passion, determination, perspective and unshakable pride in the true North Adams. I have a deep respect for our history and blue-collar grit, yet realize that we must blend the qualities of our past with the best of the new if we hope to truly shine and prosper today and in the future.
I come into this election as an independent thinker and will not join any coalition of council candidates in support of either mayoral candidate. I firmly believe that the less politically polarized the City Council, the better able we are to serve broad interests with focused objectivity and collaborative effort. It is my most sincere hope that when all the votes are in I will have been good enough to finish in the top nine. I will reward the faith and trust you place in me by serving North Adams with thoughtfulness, optimism, civility and pride.
Cast a vote for civic pride. Please consider me, David Lamarre, when you vote on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Submitted by the Campaign to Elect David Lamarre
