Election 2009: Coakley Endorses Alcombright

Print Story | Email Story
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Martha Coakley, attorney general and a candidate for U.S. Senate, on Friday endorsed Dick Alcombright for mayor of North Adams.

"I am proud to endorse Dick Alcombright for mayor of North Adams," said Coakley. "I grew up in North Adams and the future of the city means a great deal to me. I went to grammar school with Dick Alcombright. I know his character, his strong work ethic and his great sense of humor. When Dick pledges to the citizens of North Adams that he will be open and accountable to the taxpayers, he means what he says. I would also like to thank John Barrett for his 26 years of service."

"I am delighted to have the support of U.S. Senate candidate Martha Coakley in my race to become the next mayor of the city of North Adams," said Alcombright. "Martha and I have known one another for decades and our families have worked hard for the benefit of this city and its residents."

Coakley, 56, was raised in North Adams. She is a graduate of Williams College in Williamstown, where she was a member of the first class admitted to the college that included female students. She received her law degree from Boston University School of Law in 1979. Coakley resides in Medford with her husband, Thomas F. O'Connor, a retired police Deputy Superintendent.

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

North Adams Planners OK MCLA Arts Center, Italian Restaurant

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

Nick Moulton, left, and Peter Belmonte were introduced as the chefs for the new Zio Roberto. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' new arts center was given the go-ahead by the Planning Board on Monday, along with a new Italian restaurant on Marshall Street. 
 
The 7,500-square-foot Campagna Kleefeld Center for Creativity in the Arts will be located at the corner of Porter and Church Street. 
 
The center, funded by California artist and writer Carolyn Kleefeld and the MCLA Foundation, will be a stepping stone for the college to build a graduate program in arts management, said Robert Ziomek, vice president for institutional advancement.
 
"The center will be a vital focus for faculty to engage in the arts, offering a dynamic and flexible space that will serve as a catalyst for curricular innovation and will provide a compelling teaching and learning environment," he told the planners.
 
"It's going to allow for an expanded visiting artist program that we're trying to do, and plus our graduate program will be able to grow as we will apply for, once this building is online, for a graduate program in arts management."
 
He said Kleefeld is "really excited about having students engaged with artists of all of all types, but also giving faculty the ability to be creative with the curriculum around arts."
 
Designer George Dole of Jones Whitsett Architects and landscape architect Rachel Loeffler, principal at Berkshire Design Group presented the plans.  
 
View Full Story

More North Adams Stories