This is the first of two sets of interviews with the four candidates running for two three-year seats on the Board of Selectmen. The candidates are Heather Cachat Blake, James Bush, John Duval and Donald Sommer. A fifth candidate, Wayne Piaggi, decided not to run. 

 

ADAMS, Mass. — Two political newcomers say they have the right ideas to move the town forward. James Bush and Heather Cachat Blake are vying for the two seats on the Board of Selectmen in the May 7 town election.

 

Bush says he wants to help Adams reach its full potential.

 

"I want to be part of the solution, not the problem," Bush said. "Adams has a lot of potential. I love my town and I love the people in my town and I want to do my best to see Adams become what it can be."

 

Bush, who is retired from Specialty Minerals, has been married to his wife, Pat, for 43 years, has two kids and five grandkids. Bush is a longtime member of Turn Hall, the Northern Berkshire Retiree's Club and most recently a member of the Berkshire Scenic Railway.

 

Bush said he may be a familiar face to some on the train and dressed up as Santa on the holiday rides. He added that he is currently a coach attendant on the train.  

 

Bush said he decided to run because he wanted to get more involved in the town and felt as though he had the skill set to get things done. 

 

"I have the time and I have a lot of drive and I am the kind of person that if I go in I go all in," he said. "It is all or nothing and I wanted to be able to give back because the town has so much potential."

 

Bush said he wants to continue to push for the development of the Greylock Glen. He added that he did not think Adams would ever become the industrial powerhouse it once was, and the Glen and the Berkshire Scenic Railway could be the economic drivers.  

 

"Our economy is awful, and we have nothing coming in. Our taxes are huge and I know that is not an easy fix," he said. "But I believe if we can get the Glen and the train we will have both ends of the town going and the middle will fill itself up."

 

Bush added that he wants to have more events for the youth in the community to get them outside and off of their computers. Bush added that he also wants to encourage others to get involved in the community and town government and inspire more volunteerism.

 

He added that he thinks the town should work with what it has – especially the artistic community.

 

"There are all kinds of artists in town and photographers and we need to start emphasizing these people and taking advantage of what we have in town," Bush said. "Everybody is doing stuff, but it is all behind closed doors."

 

Bush said he would be excited to work with the current select board and said he knows many of the members. He added that he thinks he would bring an authentic voice to the select board. 

 

"We won't always agree but if you ask me a question and I don't have an answer I will get it for you," Bush said. "You may not like it, but I hope we can agree to disagree…I don't sugar coat anything."

 

Bush said if elected he will only work to make things better in town.

 

"The possible we do right away the impossible just takes a little bit longer…I live by that," Bush said. "…I have the time and I'm not afraid to raise my voice and push the issues…I think we can work together and there is a real future in Adams. I don't want to see tumbleweeds coming down Park Street."

 

Cachat Blake believes she can bring a new energy to the select board. 

 

"I have always been a very involved person," she said. "I am an energetic person who is willing to look at every side of every issue. I have lots of energy despite having my own business, two children and one on the way."

 

Cachat Blake grew up in Dalton but moved to Adams in 2014 with her now husband Andrew Blake. Cachat Blake owns her own photography business and a small children's clothing business. She is also the arts enrichment coordinator for the elementary school PTG and a member of the Downtown Adams Group

 

Cachat Blake said she decided to run because she wanted to be part of positive change in Adams. 

 

"I kept reading peoples' complaints about town online … and nothing will change if no one is willing to do it," she said. "I think I can make a difference and I want my children to be able to grow up in Adams because it is a great place."

 

Cachat Blake said Adams is a great place to live and noted that many people she grew up with in Dalton have decided to relocate to Adams. She said Adams needs to focus on attracting more of these young families.

 

"We have to be attractive to families … and in order to get people to move here, which will lower the tax burden on all of us, I think we need more things for families to do," she said. "We have an aging population and we need to build it back up. I think it is a puzzle and there are a lot of little pieces that need to come together."

 

Cachat Blake said economic development will be one of her main drivers if elected and she wants to make the town more business-friendly and attractive to business owners and entrepreneurs.

 

She said she wants to do what she can to help revitalize the downtown and encourage more Adams specific events which she hopes will foster a better sense of community.

 

"I hear a lot that there is nothing to do here and you have to leave Adams, sometimes even North County," Cachat Blake said. "Not everybody wants to do that or has the ability to travel so we have to start bringing things in … It is about giving positive interactions for people that live here as well as those who visit"

 

Cachat Blake said if elected she would also pursue work live space zoning in town. As a person who works from home, she said applying for permitting was overly difficult. 

 

"You shouldn't have to go before the zoning board to have a home-based business. I use one room in my house to sow and store equipment," she said. "It doesn't make any sense to me and you should just be able to register your business. That way they can collect a tax on you." 

 

She added that work live spaces are also enticing for many entrepreneurs.

 

Cachat Blake said she every decision she will make on the board will be an informed one.

 

"I am a people person and I am always willing to sit down and listen to people, but I am a fact finder … I am never willing to just take what someone tells me. I want to find out for myself," she said. "I am always looking for more information to make myself better because I can give more when I know more."