NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The future of the elementary schools was the main topic of Wednesday morning's debate between the three candidates for mayor on WNAW 1230-AM radio.

Incumbent Richard Alcombright and challengers Ronald Boucher and Robert Martelle agreed that jobs, growth and taxes were the major issues facing the city but the schools — and the failed Proposition 2 1/2 override — dominated the hourlong conversation.

While the tone and remarks remained cordial both on and off the air, the mayor and the City Council president

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The so-far low key campaign of mayoral challenger Ronald Boucher shifted into high gear on Wednesday night as he came out swinging against the incumbent.

Boucher, a six-term councilor, described North Adams as headed in the wrong direction and floundering because of Mayor Richard Alcombright's lack of leadership and careless handling of finances.

"As mayor I will bring transparency and responsibility to city government and the taxpayers will know the true financial condition of this city," said Boucher to an enthusiastic crowd of about 100 at the American

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Local attorney Jennifer M. Breen Kirsch has announced her candidacy for a seat on the North Adams City Council.

"Both sides of my family, the Breens and the Zoitos, settled in North Adams in the 1860s, and I have chosen to come home after practicing law in Cambridge as a Middlesex County assistant district attorney, where I worked during the tenure of then District Attorney Martha Coakley, another North Adams native."

Breen Kirsch's grandparents and great-grandparents are the former owners of Breen Flowers and Gifts. Her parents, MaryEllen and Peter Breen, are local schoolteachers.

"I hold my parents' careers as teachers in the highest

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Robert Martelle got angry over some of things said at the recent Proposition 2 1/2 information meetings about raising property taxes. Instead of just stewing over it, he decided to run for mayor.

"I'm doing this to stir things up," said the 54-year-old homeowner on Monday. "People can't take it. They can't take the taxes."

That's what he heard when he stood outside Big Y getting signatures on his nomination papers, voter after voter telling him that taxes are too high. He got 75 names in an hour and a half.

Martelle, who has worked at Berkshire

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — At the outset of my campaign for City Council, I would like to share a few thoughts. I am a fourth-generation North Adams resident, so while I am a first-time political candidate I am not a rookie when it comes to community activities and concerns.

I have experienced the ups and downs of our city. I am a product of our school system and have a great love for the incredible beauty and natural resources that surround us. I am also very aware of the many problems we face living in a community with many poor people living in it.

I am a physical therapist and a small-business owner. I have worked with many of our residents over the years and have listened

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