Election 2009: Kerry Endorses Barrett for Mayor

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BOSTON — U.S. Sen. John Kerry on Sunday endorsed John Barrett for re-election as mayor of North Adams.

"I am proud to endorse John Barrett for re-election as mayor of North Adams. For more than 25 years, John has served the people of North Adams with integrity, passion and distinction," said the senator in a statement. "Over the years, I have been fortunate to work with Mayor Barrett on a wide range of issues important to North Adams and the Berkshires — economic development, education, energy costs and housing.

"Mayor Barrett has been a constant champion of working class families. He's encouraged the private sector to be a strong and vibrant partner in the city's economy and has continually secured the investment of federal and state government into the city's infrastructure."

"His commitment to education has transformed the way the city's public school classrooms operate. When I was recently in North Adams I saw firsthand the success of the laptop computer initiative which provides computers for every student in the middle school. These are the types of initiatives that our children need to succeed in today's global economy.


"His commitment to the arts has propelled Mass MoCA into one of the most visited institutions in the country and has helped MCLA to become one of the premier Liberal Arts Colleges in the nation.

"He's transformed North Adams from a crumbling mill town with an unemployment rate in the high teens into a city that Yankee Magazine has called one of the 'five hidden jewels of New England.'

"Today's economic climate calls for strong and experienced leadership. I believe Mayor Barrett has the vision, the experience and the drive to continue to lead North Adams. I look forward to continuing to work with him as North Adams continues its great progress."
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North Adams Police Investigating Suspicious Fire at Concession Stand

Staff ReportsiBerkshires

Fire Chief Brent Lefebvre, left, and Commissioner of Public Services Timothy Lescarbeau check the damage to the concession building. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Authorities are investigating a suspicious fire that occurred at the Windsor Lake concession stand on Wednesday afternoon. 
 
The fire was called in just before 5 p.m. as "visible flames and smoke." There was dark smoke coming from a storage area on the backside of the building and firefighters were able to quickly knock it down.
 
Power was shut off to the building and fans set up to push the smoke out. Wire and Alarm and Commissioner of Public Services Timothy Lescarbeau also arrived on scene. 
 
"Right now we're just trying to make sure all of the flames are out and that there's no reoccurrence, and then the Police Department will do their investigation," said Mayor Jennifer Macksey. "It is a suspicious thing that we're closed and we weren't cooking hamburgs." 
 
There was damage to some of the items being stored in the building, including two kayaks that melted, plus the lines & buoys for the swimming area, chairs and some benches. 
 
The concession stand was not open this year, so nothing was on in the kitchen; the other items were stored at the beginning of October. 
 
There were people up at the park, walking and enjoying the view. One woman who was out with her dog said she'd walked by the stand and noticed two people on bench near it, but no smoke. When she came back about 20 minutes later, the fire engines were there. 
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