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North Adams City Council hopefuls share thoughts [North Adams Transcript, Mass.](North Adams Transcript (MA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Oct. 30--NORTH ADAMS -- The city will have at least two new City Councilors following Tuesday's election, when voters will be asked to pare down a field of 15 candidates -- seven incumbents and eight challengers -- to fill the nine at-large seats. Two seats, one vacated by former Councilor Clark H. Billings who resigned from the seat in August after moving to Rhode Island and the other opened by Councilor Richard J. Alcombright's bid for mayor, are up for grabs. Each of the nine at-large council positions has a two-year term. According to the city charter, candidates for the council will appear on the ballot with incumbent candidates being listed first alphabetically by last name, followed by the list of challengers in alphabetical order. Recently, all 15 candidates were asked a series of three questions by the Transcript, which includes each individual's reason for running, what assets each brings to the council and what each believes are the most important issues the city will face in the next few years. The candidates' answers follow: Lisa Blackmer Age: 45 Spouse: William Blackmer. Children: Jennifer and Bill. Education: Currently pursuing a master's degree in public administration. She received a bachelor's degree in business administration from MCLA. She also holds a certificate in non-profit management from Berkshire Community College and is a graduate of the Berkshire Leadership Program. Occupation: Background in finance management. Like many in the city and the county, Blackmer "has been affected by the economic downturn and is seeking full-time paid employment. She chooses to spend her time engaged in her council responsibilities and numerous volunteer activities. Civic/Charitable Affiliations: Currently finishing her first term on the council. She also serves as treasurer for North Adams Open Studios and is a member of the Fall Foliage Parade Committee and Northern Berkshire Food Festival. Past involvement includes: Team member of the Rotary International group study exchange program in Belgium and Luxembourg, Berkshire Food Project board member, Downtown Development Inc.'s Mohawk Theater Board, member of Mass MoCA and the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute. Although only in her first term on the council, Blackmer said she wants to continue addressing the challenges the city faces and celebrating its successes. She believes the prospect of a diverse council will "bring the opportunity to address the issues with renewed vitality." Blackmer said she "brings the best of both worlds to the council," having been on the council for a single term she has both experience and a fresh view. "I bring my experience, education and enthusiasm to the council," she said. "My background in finance, human resources and downtown management will be particularly valuable in these tough economic times." She believes the biggest issues facing the city are jobs and the economy -- aggressiveness is needed to bring businesses with decent jobs and benefits to the city in a competitive market. Good jobs will result in home ownership, community commitment and less crime, Blackmer said. Michael C. Bloom Age: 50 Spouse: Lorrie Bloom. Children: Susan, Sarah and Michael Education: Bachelor's degree in communication from North Adams State College. Occupation: Residential and commercial property owner for over 25 years. Owner of Key West Lounge. Civic/Charitable Affiliations: Currently completing his 10th consecutive term on the council, serving as president for four years. He is currently chairman of its finance subcommittee. He has also coached several youth sports teams and served on the boards of various youth sports organizations. Bloom is seeking an 11th term on the council, to continue "what he started when first elected 20 years ago" -- help in the critical decision making process that includes funding for new schools, improvements to city streets and the downtown; removal of blighted houses; revitalization of neighborhoods and changes to zoning laws to accommodate business needs. "I will continue to objectively evaluate all proposals given to the council and vote in the best interest of the community," he said. "As a small business owner, I can appreciate the sacrifice made by so many people to provide jobs and I will continue to support initiatives like tax incremental financing (TIF) programs to promote job growth." He believes his 20 years of experience on the council, will continue to allow him to objectively deal with the many new ideas that will come before the council from an ever changing business, political and social climate. For Bloom, the most important issues in the next two years are directly related to the budget and the city's ability to keep taxes and fees affordable, while still providing many of the services residents appreciate. He believes the council must remain vigilant about the city's expenses and revenues, during a stagnant economy and the looming threat of continual state budget cuts. Michael S. Boland Age: 41 Spouse: Jennifer Boland Children: Michael Jr., Jonathan and Grace Education: Master's degree in education from Springfield College; certified rehabilitation counselor. Occupation: Vocational rehabilitation counselor for the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission at 85 Main St. Civic/Charitable Affiliations: Currently serves as a a coach for the Hoosac Tunnel soccer league and the Greylock Elementary School basketball coach. He is also a member of the city's Human Services Commission and a visiting instructor at Springfield College and MCLA. Previously held positions include: Vice president of Downtown Development Inc. from 1999 to 2002 and Friends of the Mohawk chairman from 1997 to 2002. Describing himself as "one never to sit on the sidelines," Boland said he is seeking his first term on the council because he believes it is time to put his professional experience and personal commitment to work for the city. He believes this election season has opened up an opportunity for him to make a meaningful and thoughtful contributions to the future direction of the city. Boland said he will draw on his skills as a constant problem solver, critical thinker and collaboration to help move the city forward, while offering a native voice with a vision for the city. Over the next two years, he believes the city must engage in responsible fiscal management and oversight. In the long-term, Boland said the city must expand its tax base through aggressive economic development and retention efforts. He also believes the restoration of the Mohawk Theater is necessary for downtown revitalization. Keith Bona Age: 41 Spouse: Anne-Marie Puricelli Bona Children: Alexander and Elizabeth Education: Bachelor's degree in fine arts from Rochester Institute of Technology, graduate of McCann Technical School Occupation: Owner of Bona Marketing & Printing and Creations Outlet, a retail gift shop, as well as a residential property owner and instructor at MCLA. Civic/Charitable Affiliations: Bona previously served on the council for four terms, opting not to seek re-election in the past based on a belief in self-imposed term limits. While on the council, he served as the liaison to Mass MoCA, School Committee, Hoosac Water Quality District and chairman of the community development, public works and public safety subcommittees. He is a member of the North Adams Elks, serving as president, and creating fundraisers for the Children's Hospital in Boston and scholarship funds. In the past, he co-founded the United Neighborhood Organization with Shirley Davis and David Dunn and has worked with the North Adams Community Development Corp., Northern Berkshire Industrial Parks and Management, Berkshire Regional Employment Board, Northern Berkshire Visiting Nurse Assoc.,, North Adams Open Studios and several others. Although Bona left the council eight years ago to allow an infusion of new ideas, he believes his time away from the board has given him a fresh perspective which he combines with his knowledge of local government. "My philosophy is that I work for the people and with the mayor, unlike those who believe the council works only for the mayor," he said. "The council's main objective is to be the checks and balances for the city budget, and consider new ordinances that improve the quality of life for our residents and visitors." Bona said if returned to the council, he would not run for more than four consecutive terms, saying that councilors that stay on too long can shout experience, but lack vision. While he believes there are many concepts and plans that can rebuild the city, but that those plans need the cooperation of the council, executive office and the many other boards and committees in City Hall, to come to fruition. Bona said changing local government to be more receptive to new ideas is one of the biggest challenges facing the city in the coming years. "City hall has built a wall around itself that many fear to climb, or forced to stay out," he said. "These people have creative solutions that can help our financial situation, build a welcoming city for tourist and locals, and develop more businesses and jobs." David Bond Age: 34 Spouse: Karen Denault Bond Children: Anna Education: Bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts -- Amherst. Occupation: Owner of The Range on Curran Highway; Professional Golf Association teaching apprentice; MCLA Men's Golf Coach. Civic/Charitable Affiliations: Treasurer of the Board of Directors for BFAIR and Northern Berkshire United Way board member. Bond, who is seeking his first term on the council, seeks not only to continue his family's legacy of public service to the city, but also to further the city's successes from the perspective of a business owner and father. He believes his perspective as a small business owner, along with his knowledge of finance and marketing will be an asset to the council. "Business and non-profit leadership has taught me that truly listening and working with others is the way to move people and ideas forward," Bond said. He believes the most important issues facing North Adams are job creation and managing the city budget. Ensuring that every member of the community has a well-paying job will be the catalyst to helping North Adams be the great city it has the potential to be, he said. Among the ways he sees the city better marketing itself to businesses are a cutting edge web presence, a detailed marketing strategy to target and attract businesses that fit the work force and an integrated plan with MCLA to offer training for residents and students. Ronald A. Boucher Age: 52 years old Spouse: Ellen Shea Boucher Children: Three children, Sarah, Joe and Meghan, along with three grandchildren. Occupation: Corporate sales for Ecolab. Civic or Charitable Affiliations: Currently finishing his fifth term on the council after being elected in 1999. He is a past vice president of the council and is the chairman of its public safety subcommittee. Boucher also serves as one of the city's two commissioners at the Hoosac Water Quality District and as the council's member of the city's Traffic Commission. Boucher said he is pursuing a sixth term on the council simply because he enjoys public service and helping others in the community. He is also interested in continuing to make North Adams an attractive and affordable destination for families. Over the next two years, he said the biggest issue the city will face is the continuation of sound fiscal management practices and the identification of new revenue sources. He also believes the council must help continue to make North Adams an attractive, safe and affordable community for families, while attempting to bring jobs to the city. He'd also like to the see the creation of a city-wide housing commission, which would set expectations for property owners at the time of purchase. "This will help eliminate the property owner whose only goal is to suck the property dry and leave its tenants in limbo, and also eliminate the absentee landlord who only collects the rent," Boucher said. Eric Buddington Education: Bachelor's degree in Earth Science from Wesleyan University. Occupation: Freelance computer programmer, dance musician on the weekends. Civic/Charitable Affiliations: Northern Berkshire Community Television Corp. Connecticut native and North Adams resident of 12 years, Buddington, who has run for the council on two previous occasions, is seeking his first term. He believes he will bring a three important things to the council -- a practical understanding of current and future environmental concerns; a first-hand understanding of the arts and a technical understanding of how to manage information with computers. "As a City Councilor, I will provide more than common sense and a vague love of North Adams," he said. Specific issues he wants to address include bringing an "openness" and transparency to city government, by removing the "Cardimino Rule" -- a two-minute open forum time limit -- to allow more public discussion at Council meetings; publishing the agendas for all meetings on the City Web site the week before the meeting along with the minutes of each meeting and ordering the mayor to publish ordinances and budgets online. Buddington said the city should seize its opportunity to set long-term plans that will ensure development that is good for the environment, community and business, instead of the current model that allows for development on a case-by-case basis. He also believes dedicated promotion of the city will help increase the number of jobs and tourism in the area. Gailanne Cariddi Age: 56 Children: Billie, her miniature schnauzer. Occupation: Financial manager for Cariddi Sales Company Inc., her family's wholesale business. Civic/Charitable Affiliations: Besides her time on the council, Cariddi serves on the boards of Northern Berkshire Community Television Corp., the Berkshire Bike Path Council; the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission; Berkshire Regional Employment Board; Yankee-Rowe Community Advisory Board; the Hoosic River Revival Committee and as a corporator for Northern Berkshire Healthcare. Cariddi, who is seeking an 11th term on the council, believes she brings a variety of skills to the council, including project management, a proven track record of working with government employees and elected officials of various backgrounds and an interest in keeping current with municipal and state laws through various state conferences. Over the past two years, she has authored ordinances to revise the local transient vendor fees, second hand store licensing and rewrote the proposed ordinance that would regulate vacant and foreclosed property. "I have the background and the knowledge to be a strong advocate for the citizens of North Adams," she said. Over the next two years, the city's budget is the first priority for Cariddi, who said the council must aid in careful budgeting and creative management in times of declining revenue and dwindling funds. Having already implemented a combination of spending cuts and the adoption of the local option hotel/motel tax, she said the council can further support the Massachusetts Municipal Association for additional reforms that would provide budget relief for local towns. Other priorities include redevelopment of the former North Adams Plaza, the city's schools and housing stock. Brian L. Flagg Age: 40 Spouse: Janeen Flagg Children: Carmalita, Elizabeth, Whitney and Zachary Education: Drury High School Occupation: Restaurant and banquet manager of Gala Restaurant in Williamstown. Civic/Charitable Affiliations: Founder of the Fall Foliage Charity Bed Race; head coach and a member of the board of directors of the Whitney Basketball League; graduate of the Berkshire Leadership Academy. A city native, Flagg is seeking his first term on the council in order to advocate for residents, who he says "need a go to guy." He said the election should not focus on the actual candidates, but on which candidates will "fight for the residents." He said he will bring "a voice" to the council, since he is not afraid to speak "his mind to anyone." Flagg believes prioritization is a key issue for the city, with the current and pending budget crisis being the top priority, followed by a need to decrease the poverty levels and subsidized housing in the city and a need to provide programming for youth. Marie Harpin Age: 71 Children: Six adult children, 14 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Education: St. Joseph's High School Occupation: Director of the North County office of Berkshire Community Action Council Civic/Charitable Affiliations: Named the 1998-1999 Berkshire Business and Professional Women's Woman of the Year, Harpin has worked extensively with numerous non-profits and civic agencies over the years -- either as a board member or as an extra pair of hands. She is currently serving her sixth term on the council. For Harpin, a seventh term on the board will allow her to continue to have a hand in the progress the city has made over the last 12 years. "I'd like to see the Mohawk Theater come to fruition, as well as the MCLA Center for Science and Innovation," she said. "I also want to see through the redevelopment of Curran Highway, which promises to bring at least 200 jobs to residents." Besides her service within the community and on the council, Harpin said she brings common sense and balance to the board, along with a voice for the community, its residents and their needs. Over the next several years, she said the city will need to focus on bringing more affordable housing to the area and on working with the state to determine the final outlay of the school district, which could require additions to Sullivan and Greylock elementary schools. David Lamarre Age: 51 Spouse: Jane Marie Lamarre Education: Associate degree in culinary arts from the New England Culinary Institute; associate degree in restaurant management from Berkshire Community College; North Adams Public Schools. Occupation: Currently serves as supervisor of facilities services at Williams College. Prior to joining the facilities department three years ago, Lamarre spent 23 years working as a chef or dining manager for hotels, restaurants and academic institutions. Civic/Charitable Affiliations: Chairman of the city's License Commission; SteepleCates booster and host family; contributor and member of Mass MoCA; contributor and member of MCLA Presents. Lamarre, who is seeking his first term on the council, said his bid has been spurred by optimism for the future and a desire to help the city once again attain the surge of excitement and growth that followed the opening of Mass MoCA. He believes the city must anticipate economic recovery, plan for opportunity and position the city as a leader in a revitalized regional economy. A balanced perspective, bold ideas, common sense and pride in North Adams, coupled with effective communication skills, collaboration and managerial experience are all assets Lamarre says he can bring to the council. He believes a shrinking middle class, stagnant population growth and an excess of deteriorating housing stock present the greatest challenges to the city. Alan L. Marden Age: 68 Spouse: Nancy Bianco Marden Children: Two daughters, Darcy and Beth, and five grandchildren -- Chris, Chris, Rachel, Rutger and Cale. Education: Bachelor's degree from Bates College. Occupation: Real Estate sales at Alton & Westall Agency in Williamstown. Civic or Charitable Affiliations: Currently serves as president of the City Council, where he has served 11 two-year terms. He is also a member of the city's Contributory Retirement Board, a corporator of the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Foundation, Northern Berkshire Healthcare and Mountain One Financial. After serving on the council for 22 years, Marden believes that his "uncommon experience" as a councilor, as well as in economic development, will continue to serve the city and the council well, especially at a time when the city will have several new councilors and possibly a new mayor. "I also wish to give something back to the city that has been so good to me and my family," he said. Marden said he brings both a "common sense" attitude and "uncommon experience" to the council. He views the primary concern dominating the city's endless list of critical issues -- improving education, maintaining and improving public safety, increasing employment opportunities and the tax base, improving the housing stock, integrating Mass MoCA with downtown, improving the operation of the transfer station, maintaining the city's recreational facilities, and improving services to the elderly-- as the need to successfully provide those services despite decreasing revenues and state aid. "We need to be ever aggressive and diligent in pursuing grant opportunities and to consider the regional provision of public services to assist in the addressing these issues," he said. Robert Moulton Jr. Age: 53 Spouse: Bonnie Moulton Children: Jessica and Bobby Education: St. Joseph's High School Occupation: Optician at Moulton's Spectacle Shoppe. Civic/Charitable Affiliations: Currently finishing his fourth term on the council, during which time he has served as chairman of the public services subcommittee and a member of the finance committee. Moulton also serves on the board of directors for the North Adams Ambulance Service, of which he has been president for three years and a member for 30 years. He also serves as an instructor for the Massachusetts Hunter Safety program. Elected in 2001, Moulton joined the council during a period of belt-tightening after state and federal budget cuts slashed funds to local budgets. "Since that time, the problems the city faces have only gotten worse with a world-wide economic downturn," he said. "I want to be a part of restoring North Adams to its former glory." In addition to his experience on the council and as a long-time business man in the community, Moulton said his skill set includes "working with others, setting up and following budgets, sharing ideas and getting things done." He believes jobs and economic development are key areas the city must focus on in the coming years, while managing the funding cuts that will be coming from the state. He said the community must "come together to find ways to weather the economic downturn." Greg Roach Age: 41 Spouse: Robin Children: Ethan Occupation: Chef and prepared foods manager at Wild Oats Community Market; freelance writer. Civic/Charitable Affiliations: 4-H volunteer, Brayton Elementary School Parent Teacher Association, North Adams Democratic Committee. With a strong belief that leadership by city officials is critical to overcoming the challenges faced by the city, Roach is seeking his first term on the council to help North Adams flourish. Although the city is a college town, a museum town, an industrial town and an arts mini-Mecca, he says it is hindered by being one of the poorest towns in the Commonwealth and by the fact that its schools and businesses constantly struggle to stay above water. With a strong background in budgets and operations, and a track record of creating jobs and increasing business, Roach said he believes he can serve in the oversight role of the council, as well as bring in some new ways of looking at things with an eye towards the future. Improving schools and business are his key priorities. "We rank in the bottom 10 to 15 percent of school districts in the state," he said. "Improving our schools will attract young families and jobs to our community." He said in the short term, issues surrounding business and job creation can change relatively quickly with new policies and aggressive posturing to lure employers and encourage entrepreneurship. Dennis J. Whitney Age: 54 Spouse: Ann H. Whitney Children: Shannon, Jonathan, Brian Education: Massachusetts College of Pharmacy; Drury High School. Occupation: Pharmacist for Thorpe's Pharmacy in Hoosick Falls, N.Y. Civic/Charitable Affiliations: In the past, Whitney has served on the Conservation Commission; the McCann School Committee and the North Adams School Committee, where he spent seven years as chairman of the negotiation subcommittee. Seeking a first term on the council, Whitney said he has no hidden agenda or issues to push, just a strong desire to contribute to the community as his campaign motivation. He believes his past service to the city on various boards will be an asset and would serve as a liaison to those boards if asked. Whitney believes the city must focus on finding ways to maintain low tax rates and the quality public services that residents have grown accustomed to despite dwindling state funds and budget cuts. To see more of the North Adams Transcript or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.thetranscript.com/. Copyright (c) 2009, North Adams Transcript, Mass. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. 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