Who's Running for North Adams Coucil, May Edition

chbpod wrote:

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What platform?? Platforms usually outline specific proposals. All I saw were generalties---such as (paraphrasing) we need to change direction. Nothing about education- services- budget. Of course it is early yet. chbpod

Larry Murray wrote:

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Greg Roach has posted his initial platform on his website:
"Platform:
During my first term I will propose the following:
Advocate locally for the statewide adoption of Governor Patrick’s Education Readiness program, which makes public school teachers employees of the state rather than of the city. This will create pay equity between local districts and help North Adams recruit and keep talented teachers.
Create a non-voting Junior Councilor position on the city council to be filled by a high school junior or senior, nominated by the community and approved by the sitting council.
Create property tax incentives for residents who convert rental, historic and/or dilapidated properties back into owner-occupied homes.
Reduce North Adams’ stock of public housing to a level appropriate to a city our size.
Support the efforts the Hoosic River Revival Coalition to redevelop North Adams’ riverfront.
Put all city ordinances, code, zoning and public information on an internet accessible and searchable data base.
Honor John Barrett’s 26 years in office by renaming Brayton Elementary School - Barrett Elementary School.
Encourage the state to renovate and develop Fort Massachusetts (in the Price Chopper parking lot) and fold it into the State Park System.
I will encourage public discussion of controversial issues, rather than having such issues only discussed behind closed doors and/or in poorly covered and attended committee meetings. Citizens deserve to hear all competent sides of a debate.
Also, I promise to be accessible and an advocate for citizen voices. It is my belief that in a city the size of North Adams, through an orderly vetting process, all adult citizens should be allowed to place an item on the agenda of the council for discussion rather than be automatically limited to a two minute comment."
It is found at http://www.gregoryroach.com/
I like him and have worked with him on the Democratic City Committee and the State Platform hearing held here in North Adams. He is smart and listens.

who wrote:

<quoted text>any news on this announcement? I've kept my ears open, but have not heard anything. Let us know when is public.

Insight wrote:

<quoted text>Seems a few people beat me to it. It was Roach. Good guy. Smart.
Damn good cook, too.

chbpod wrote:

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As far as the water bill in multi-family dwellings- I suspect that there is only one water meter (unlike electric which is tied to the individual unit) and the landlord gets the bill -pays it ----my suggestion on a sewer fee--is this
Hoosac Water Quality District (wasre water treatment plant) is budgeted in the budget for about $1.5 million---institute a sewer fee based on water usage to cover the obligation to HWQD and redistribute that 1.5 million to fire--police-public works-education---many towns do this---99% of all water used goes down the drain and inti the sewer system---given the budget crisis that we are in--we have to try alternative ways to prserve services-----that's the way it is done in East Greeenwich RI--- separate water bill and separate sewer bill based on water usgae---I think it's the way to go and have pushing the Mayor on this for years---actually suggested it Mayor Lamb back in 1982---when we had to make cuts under ropositin 2 1/2---chbpod

Larry Murray wrote:

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Greg Roach has posted his initial platform on his website:
"Platform:
During my first term I will propose the following:
Advocate locally for the statewide adoption of Governor Patrick’s Education Readiness program, which makes public school teachers employees of the state rather than of the city. This will create pay equity between local districts and help North Adams recruit and keep talented teachers.
Create a non-voting Junior Councilor position on the city council to be filled by a high school junior or senior, nominated by the community and approved by the sitting council.
Create property tax incentives for residents who convert rental, historic and/or dilapidated properties back into owner-occupied homes.
Reduce North Adams’ stock of public housing to a level appropriate to a city our size.
Support the efforts the Hoosic River Revival Coalition to redevelop North Adams’ riverfront.
Put all city ordinances, code, zoning and public information on an internet accessible and searchable data base.
Honor John Barrett’s 26 years in office by renaming Brayton Elementary School - Barrett Elementary School.
Encourage the state to renovate and develop Fort Massachusetts (in the Price Chopper parking lot) and fold it into the State Park System.
I will encourage public discussion of controversial issues, rather than having such issues only discussed behind closed doors and/or in poorly covered and attended committee meetings. Citizens deserve to hear all competent sides of a debate.
Also, I promise to be accessible and an advocate for citizen voices. It is my belief that in a city the size of North Adams, through an orderly vetting process, all adult citizens should be allowed to place an item on the agenda of the council for discussion rather than be automatically limited to a two minute comment."
It is found at http://www.gregoryroach.com/
I like him and have worked with him on the Democratic City Committee and the State Platform hearing held here in North Adams. He is smart and listens.

LongGone wrote:

Greg Roach DOES have some specific proposals if you investigate his site further, chbpod.
One of his proposals is to name a school after John Barrett!! If naming a school after him will convince him to step down, I'm all for it.

in for shock wrote:

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98% of city has no idea who he is. In for a rude awakening!

chbpod wrote:

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Found it---and that is a platform----question on one of them is the non-voting junior member of the Council a non-talking member??? or just another shill for the majority and Alcombright is he gets elected---as it stands now- citizens can only get on the agenda if a Councilor sponsors it-- otherwise you get 2 minutes undet open forward-------electronic access to the agenda-- dumb idea--absolutely batty--- nothing but chaos would ensue--but whay should I care I won;t be there to participate in the circus that the Council would brcome-----citizen filibusters?? terrific----what a maroon--chbpod

state dough wrote:

maybe we can name the Dump after barret. Call it "barrets dumP site' and put a statue of him where he told leo to put those barrels of oil.
Maybe put a slot machine or a keno machine there, with a few coins so that a visitor can scratch off a few tickets too.
Lets build a huge gambling area and instread of calling it "the strip", we can name it barrets boulevard, or save money and grab that sign in his office and name it barrets way.
Mr. Roach if you keep coming up with brown-nosing ideas like this-you'll lose my vote.

Insight wrote:

<quoted text>I think Barrett has overstayed his usefulness as much as anybody, but doesn't 25+ years of elected office count for something?
Maybe Greg should have proposed naming a street after him, or something like that.

Insight wrote:

<quoted text>I think Barrett has overstayed his usefulness as much as anybody, but doesn't 25+ years of elected office count for something?
Maybe Greg should have proposed naming a street after him, or something like that.

in for shock wrote:

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98% of city has no idea who he is. In for a rude awakening!