Letter: Bond Will Be a Reliable Community Leader

Letter to the EditorPrint Story | Email Story

To the Editor:

When looking toward the future of this great city, it is important not to neglect the voices of the younger generations. It is also important not to underscore the value community service has in shaping a candidate. Coming from an MCLA student and soon to be officeholder, I believe the person to best connect with our youth and represent the value of community service is Lynette Bond.

The most important memories I've made as a college student were through active volunteerism. As a person who dedicates my time in such a way, I can see how volunteer work has influenced Lynette Bond as a person, and how it will shape her tenure as the next mayor of North Adams. Through her dedication as a foster parent, her time in the Peace Corps, and her intense dedication toward the Colegrove Park Elementary School project, she has proven to me that she will be a reliable community leader.

I have been able to call North Adams my home for 22 years. MCLA was my school of choice because of this beautiful city I have been able to call my home. I think the school is especially emblematic of our community's younger demographics, and it makes me pleased to see who younger people want as their leader. The feedback we have received from the overwhelming majority of them? The future is with Lynette.

With students who want to make North Adams their home after they graduate, and have taken on our community as one that represents them, Lynette is an especially symbolic person to take office as our next mayor. Lynette may not have been born in North Adams, but she chose our city as her home like so many others here do. I am confident in Lynette's experience, transparency, and communicative nature to lead our city for the next two years. I hope with all this information in mind, you will vote for her assuredly on Nov. 2.

Joshua Vallieres
North Adams, Mass.

Joshua Vallieres is a candidate for North Adams School Committee. 

 

 

 

 


Tags: city election,   election 2021,   letters to the editor,   


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

Pittsfield West Side School Project Feasibility Study Advancing

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Planners will soon consider exactly how a new West Side elementary school would look. 

On Tuesday, the Schools Building Needs Commission will see an overview of the Preliminary Design Program for the project involving Crosby Elementary School, Conte Community School, and possibly Stearns Elementary School. 

The PDP is the initial feasibility phase that documents space needs, existing conditions, and evaluates design options.  It will be submitted at the end of January 2027; a new school on West Street is estimated to be at least five years out. 

At the SBNC’s Sept. 1 meeting, designers TSKP Studio introduced themselves and outlined next steps for the feasibility study as Pittsfield applies for funds from the Massachusetts School Building Authority. 

"We are going to prioritize this," Superintendent Latifah Phillips said about Crosby. 

"…The building is in a really challenging condition, so we want to move responsibly quick. We don't want to move too quickly where people feel left behind. We also need to acknowledge that that building is holding on."

The design team has completed nearly 60 school projects in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, including three net-zero-verified schools.  

An existing conditions assessment and site development requirements were completed, and educational visioning is to wrap up in October. The educational plan and design options will be evaluated for the remainder of 2026. 

View Full Story

More North Adams Stories