Letter: Elect Lynette Bond for Mayor
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To the editor:
"All politics is local" … I'll speak to that later.
As the former mayor of the City of North Adams, I vowed that I would not get involved again in local politics but I am very willing to go out on a limb here and say that in January 2022, the city will be swearing in its first woman mayor. With four candidates, all women, the city is well-positioned for new leadership, new vision, a new approach to the administration and delivery of city services, as well as growth and problem solving through collaboration. I fully believe that Lynette Bond is the woman who can and will provide that leadership.
One of the wonderful successes that I had as mayor was the renovation of the former Conte Middle School into Colegrove Park Elementary School. This effort was brought to a public vote for approval and if not for Lynette's support, advocacy, and voice, Colegrove would not have come to fruition. Additionally, as mayor, I was able to reach out to local communities to work with the city on a variety of issues.
Lynette worked in the Community Development Office for the Town of Adams and our paths crossed many times. We discussed the economic opportunities we had in common such as the bike path and the Berkshire Scenic Rail. In her role with the town, Lynette managed Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars. She worked to see that the streetscape project on Park Street and the roundabout projects were funded, designed and built. Lynette has and continues to serve on the city's Planning Board and with that she has had a role in the approval process of many new businesses that have opened in the city. Lynette is an exceptional grant writer and in that role she has had direct contact and built relationships with Massachusetts Department of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM), Department of Housing and Community Development (CDBG), the Department of Higher Education (DHE), and the Department of Early and Secondary Education (DESE).
Since moving to North Adams some 12 years ago, Lynette has infused herself into the community on the Planning Board, as a parent and foster parent, a member of the board of Child Care of the Berkshires, as a coach and mentor, and even a host family for our beloved SteepleCats.
As I said initially, "All politics is local." Lynette is local. Lynette came to North Adams, she is raising her family, is engaged, is enthused, is excited and is part of our leadership landscape. She has the resume, the education, the experience and the determination to lead our fine city forward. While her message honors and respects our past and knows it is important to all of us, Lynette is driven and motivated by what the City of North Adams can become.
For the sake of our collective future, please vote with me to elect Lynette Bond the next mayor of the City of North Adams.
Dick Alcombright
North Adams, Mass.
Tags: election 2021, endorsement,
