Peabody should get the facts

I have known Gary Shepard for many years. Gary is now and has forever been nothing more than an opportunist, working hard not for the public good, but to feather his own nest. This was apparent when he barely dodged the bullet on a federal investigation.
While I've had more than my fill of John Barrett, the Mayor doesn't need an endorsement from anyone of Gary's caliber. If Gary is a reflection of Mr. Barrett's supporters, it casts a pall on the good works that the Mayor has done.

Answer Please wrote:

I have known Gary Shepard for many years. Gary is now and has forever been nothing more than an opportunist, working hard not for the public good, but to feather his own nest. This was apparent when he barely dodged the bullet on a federal investigation.
While I've had more than my fill of John Barrett, the Mayor doesn't need an endorsement from anyone of Gary's caliber. If Gary is a reflection of Mr. Barrett's supporters, it casts a pall on the good works that the Mayor has done.

"Answer Please" seems to be the new name of "Truthsayer". I wonder why he is no longer the "Truthsayer"?

Why the New Name wrote:

<quoted text>"Answer Please" seems to be the new name of "Truthsayer". I wonder why he is no longer the "Truthsayer"?

Thanks, but no. I've read Truthsayer's posts, and he is an @$$, no class. So, if you want to insult me, you can't get any lower than that clown. Apology expected!

Why the New Name wrote:

<quoted text>"Answer Please" seems to be the new name of "Truthsayer". I wonder why he is no longer the "Truthsayer"?

Ah-ha! It's the "Stillwater"! I got Time-Warner internet and phone on Tuesday from Verizon and lost my Canada address on these!(I still expect an apology!)

The question is why is Bo Peabody so interested in the North Adams elections? He's putting up big money behind Mr. Alcombright

Mayor supported it from its inception?

Funny, even Barrett has said he used to say that he "wouldn't walk across the street" for MoCA when Krens first pitched the idea.

Nice try, though.

And he was no friend of North Adams before this election, that's for sure.

Throwback wrote:

And he was no friend of North Adams before this election, that's for sure.

Well, except for the jobs he brought here, the serious $$$$$$ he has donated to local charities and allthe money he personally spends in local businesses, but aside from that.....

I was in the area when the idea of MoCA was first presented and I remember Mayor Barret initially not supporting the idea. Once the project started to build momentum, he started to support it until, at some point, he started touting himself as being behind it from day one. That's my recollection.

dofman wrote:

The question is why is Bo Peabody so interested in the North Adams elections? He's putting up big money behind Mr. Alcombright

I, too, live in Williamstown and am interested in the outcome of the election. I see what happens in Pownal at the racetrack, Pittsfield, Adams, North Adams and other surrounding communities as having an important effect on the region and me. To thrive rather than merely survive we need to take a regional approach to the problems we all face.

Parent and educator wrote:

I was in the area when the idea of MoCA was first presented and I remember Mayor Barret initially not supporting the idea. Once the project started to build momentum, he started to support it until, at some point, he started touting himself as being behind it from day one. That's my recollection.

...andf you'd be absolutely right. He didn't support it until he realized it would happen with...or without him.

That's why we wonder why all the Barrett posters constantly cry foul when Williamstown supporters are backing Alcombright. If it hadn't been for those Williamstown people, we wouldn't even have Mass MoCA - Barrett's shining example of what he believes to be "his accomplishment'.

To this day Barrett doesn't give Dukakis credit for Moca. What he doesn't accept for himself, he gives to gov Weld. Go back and read the newspapers Gary and Barrett isn't part of the initial concept. He came in as an rude univited guest and was more of a obstacle than assisting, and still is today. Moca deals with him as they have to, but not by choice.

I too was around during MoCA's inception and I distinctly remember Mayor Barrett thinking this a ridiculous idea. It's no secret the mayor is no fan of contemporary art. There was a lovely mural painted outside of the Molly's Bakery building commissioned by the owners of then Joga Cafe. What happened to that Mayor Barrett?
When the project was destined to take place with or without him, he hopped on the bus because it would have been politican and financial suicide for him not to have done so.

sorry that's Political and financial suicide...your timeline is off mr shepard.

Amen to what Gary Shepard wrote - a lot of other people would have given up when MASS MoCA looked like it was on its last legs (which happened more than once).

gee wrote:

Amen to what Gary Shepard wrote - a lot of other people would have given up when MASS MoCA looked like it was on its last legs (which happened more than once).

Thank God for Jane Swift. Without her, this project would never had happened.

I remember quit well Mr. Shepard and you're exaggerating a little. It was then Sen. Jane Swift and Gov. Weld who pushed the project through. Mayor Barrett was vocally opposed to the entire concept. He has since jumped on the bandwagon. The days of the "good ole boy's" network is over fortunately for all of us.

Senior Citizen wrote:

I remember quit well Mr. Shepard and you're exaggerating a little. It was then Sen. Jane Swift and Gov. Weld who pushed the project through. Mayor Barrett was vocally opposed to the entire concept. He has since jumped on the bandwagon. The days of the "good ole boy's" network is over fortunately for all of us.

You really have your wires crossed--if the Mayor was so opposed why did he support the legilation for the funding of MoCA---the money had to be funneled through the City and that's why the Mayor and Council created the MoCA Commission as a conduit----Barrett never embraced contemporary art-- but he did embrace the idea as economic development and reuse of vacant vuildings---he was on board from the start---even though the original concrpt was rejected in Boston-- the idea morphed into what we have today--
I know-- I was there---chbpod

Shaftsbury wrote:

<quoted text>Thank God for Jane Swift. Without her, this project would never had happened.

Amen
Give credit where credit is due.

Voter wrote:

<quoted text>Well, except for the jobs he brought here, the serious $$$$$$ he has donated to local charities and allthe money he personally spends in local businesses, but aside from that.....

Oh, but we want the jobs he brings. We want his charitable donations. We want his money. We just want to be able to anonymously attack him whenever it suits us. Culture wars: yay!