Letter: Bosley Strongest Candidate for 1st Berkshire

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To the editor:

Who I vote for in our district state representative primary was considerably harder decision than our choices for mayoral preliminary. We have four candidates that all have qualifications to work in the State House, but none have served in a public elected state level before. When they walk into the chambers their first time they will be a junior state rep starting relationships, networking with incumbents, and making connections.

The word "connections" is key to me when thinking long term. Who do I feel will listen to the citizens in our district versus being influenced by those on the other side of the state, and will take what they hear from us and bring it to the State House. Which one will make more allies when it comes to winning votes for our needs, rather than rubbing fellow state officials the wrong way.

I want a state representative who serves our district over serving themselves. We don't need a grudge-holding bully that snubs our elected city and town leaders, a braggart, or self-acclaimed political expert, but rather one who Is open to contemporary policies and transparent government. We need a voice that understands the challenges and passions of both a city, and rural small towns.

For those reasons, I support Stephanie Bosley. From the day she was born the duties of this job filled her home. She shouldn't win only because her father served 24 years of her life in that same exact seat, but it does add points on the score card. We consider second and third generation tradesmen to be more knowledgeable in their professions. The same could be said for any career, including government. Just as a young mechanic has learned the old ways of fixing classics in the garage with their father, they also learn the newest skills of how things are done today with current education and job experiences, which Stephanie has both. That doesn't make her an expert, but does allow for a fresh mind with multigenerational wisdom to understand and manage modern day state government.

I believe Stephanie is the strongest candidate reaching the most people in a limited time. We have elected young candidates that never held an elected seat before such as Senators Swift, Downing and Hinds to name a few, and they serve(d) us well. In the past couple of years, we have elected fresh, new, progressive candidates to represent our end of the state, and adding Stephanie Bosley to that team would be a great asset. I am an undeclared voter who votes for the person, not the party. I am proud to support Stephanie Bosley for the upcoming primary, Tuesday, Oct. 10.

Keith Bona
North Adams, Mass.

Bona is a North Adams city councilor

 

 


Tags: 1st Berkshire,   election 2017,   endorsement,   


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Clarksburg Gets 3 Years of Free Cash Certified

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Town officials have heaved a sigh of relief with the state's certification of free cash for the first time in more than three years.
 
The town's parade of employees through its financial offices the past few years put it behind on closing out its fiscal years between 2021 and 2023. A new treasurer and two part-time accountants have been working the past year in closing the books and filing with the state.
 
The result is the town will have $571,000 in free cash on hand as it begins budget deliberations. However, town meeting last year voted that any free cash be used to replenish the stabilization account
 
Some $231,000 in stabilization was used last year to reduce the tax rate — draining the account. The town's had minimal reserves for the past nine months.
 
Chairman Robert Norcross said he didn't want residents to think the town was suddenly flush with cash. 
 
"We have to keep in mind that we have no money in the stabilization fund and we now have a free cash, so we have now got to replenish that account," he said. "So it's not like we have this money to spend ... most of it will go into the stabilization fund." 
 
The account's been hit several times over the past few fiscal years in place of free cash, which has normally been used for capital spending, to offset the budget and to refill stabilization. Free cash was last used in fiscal 2020.
 
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