Letter: Bond Will Be a Reliable Community Leader

Letter to the Editor06:45PM / Tuesday, October 26, 2021Print 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,

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Letter: Virginia Riehl Would Bring a Thoughtful Voice to City Council

Letter to the Editor05:00PM / Monday, November 02, 2026

To the Wditor:

As the North Adams City Council considers who will fill the vacancy left by Alexa MacDonald's departure, I'd like to express my support for Virginia Riehl.

North Adams is a community I care deeply about, and I try to contribute where I can. For the past three years, I've volunteered at the North Adams Farmers Market through various farms. I also volunteer my photography to support local charities and causes, and make an effort to stay engaged with the issues facing our city.

It's through this involvement that I've come to know Virginia. I frequently see her at farmers markets, community events, and gatherings focused on issues like affordable housing. I've come to appreciate not only her commitment to North Adams, but the thoughtful and collaborative way she approaches the challenges facing our community.

Recently, I attended a NACHO meeting that Virginia organized, and I was struck by her approach to the conversation. Rather than focusing on sweeping changes or searching for a single solution, Virginia emphasized listening, encouraging thoughtful discussion, and making space for ideas of all sizes. She seemed to recognize that even small, modest efforts can grow into something meaningful.

The conversation also touched on NACHO's (North Adams Community Housing Organization) future direction and how it could best serve the community. I appreciated Virginia's willingness to examine the organization's priorities rather than assume the existing approach was necessarily the best. To me, that reflected an important quality in civic leadership: a commitment to the purpose of the work, rather than to any particular structure or way of doing things.

Larger economic, social, and political forces shape the trajectory of a city like North Adams, and many are beyond our immediate control. But there's tremendous value in creating opportunities for people to connect, share ideas, and help one another. Sometimes meaningful change begins not with a grand proposal or formal policy initiative, but with a conversation that encourages someone to act on an idea.

Much of what makes a community strong happens through small, often unremarkable acts of participation. I believe Virginia understands that creating spaces for people to exchange ideas and encouraging others to get involved are themselves important forms of civic leadership.

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