Letter: Look to Hope of Future, Not Ways of Past: Vote for BondLetter to the Editor,
11:59AM / Sunday, October 31, 2021 | |
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To the Editor:
In the 21 years I've lived in North Adams many things have changed. Progress has been slow at times, but it has been steady. Sometimes visible on our streets, other times behind the scenes. Real progress that lasts generations takes a lot of effort and time from many people willing to do their part.
When I first moved here in 2000, it became clear to me that the oppression left by Sprague's exit years before still weighed heavily on the community. Many people were hesitant to speak their minds and those choosing to open a business knew they had to deal with a City Hall that had a history of not being easy to work with. The local government was not structured to encourage or reward initiative or innovation.
For the last 12 years, many changes have taken place within the physical landscape of North Adams. Some not so good, like the demolition of St. Francis and the aging of downtown buildings and infrastructure, while others have been pretty spectacular, like a more welcoming Main Street with "equality" flags, benches, and bike racks; a children's water park; a skate park; UNO Community Center, the "Big Bling" sculpture, and more greenspaces downtown.
Other changes have been incredibly significant and can only be experienced through interactions with local business people, neighbors, and other community members. Those changes had a huge impact on the quality of life here. The mayor's office for the last 12 years has had an "open door" policy; Mayors Alcombright and Bernard were incredibly approachable, supportive of new ideas, and present in the stores, restaurants, and at nearly every single downtown event. If you approached them with an idea they might say "that's great, if you can find the money you've got my support" or "there are some other people working on that, let's connect you."
I don't want North Adams to go back to what it was 12 years ago. I like knowing that when I see the city's mayor, despite the many pressures of their job, I'm going to be received with a warm handshake or embrace. I like knowing that if I've got some time and a means of being productive that I can engage in my hometown in whatever capacity I choose. I'd say to those who want things to change, get involved and volunteer. I often describe North Adams to people as a magical place, because it is. It's the only place I've ever been able to truly call home and where any of us can make a difference. North Adams is on an amazing journey with many projects in the works that will bring more businesses, jobs, and patrons to support them.
In the words of Jennifer Macksey's own campaign letter, "If people are happy with how the city has been run over the past 12 years, Jennifer Macksey isn't their candidate." I'm voting for Lynette Bond because she is the better candidate with vast knowledge and experience in managing community projects and budgets. I'm voting for her because her kindness and compassion (evident through her endless volunteer efforts) is what we need to draw new investors and businesses to our great city, while also being able to address the desperate needs for new public safety infrastructure and resources for those trapped in a cycle of poverty or addiction. I encourage you to vote for the future of North Adams, not the past. Please vote for Lynette Bond for mayor.
Kurt Kolok
North Adams, Mass.
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