North Adams Goes to the Polls

Glorious Weather for Light Turnout

By: Charles Giuliano - Nov 08, 2011

Loneliness of the long distance runner.

Incumbent Dick Alcombright was on hand to greet voters.

Challenger Ron Boucher ran on the notion of a return to business as usual.

Incumbents Marden and Bloom commented that the Mayoral race was too close to call.

Lisa Blackmer ran for reelection to City Council.

Bill Blackmer standing out for his wife Lisa.

Breen was a fresh new face this time.

The Cardimino strategy seemed to be if you can’t fight City Hall join it.

Tailgating.

Cate Chaput was the youngest candidate in the field.

At just 20 Chaput isn’t old enough to drink on election night.

Eclipse Mill resident and artist Gail Sellers had lots of family support.

Sellers with supporter Astrid Hiemer enjoying a sunny election day.

The Roach campaign was fueled by energy and fresh ideas.

 

Arguably there just wasn't the same kind of intensity this time in the North Adams Mayoral race.

The previous campaign, not that long ago, was the Last Hurrah for long time incumbent John Barrett, III who was ousted by Dick Alcombright.

Having won the corner office at City Hall Alcombright had the unpopular task of cleaning up the fiscal and adminsitrative detritus after decades of a mantra of keeping costs low and not raising taxes.

The challenger Ron Boucher ran on the campaign agenda of a return to the good old days as many in North Adams tend to see it.

We will know which candidate prevailed later this evening.

There was also a glut of candidates for City Council pitting long term incumbents against a fiesty and diverse field of new comers.

No matter what the outcome it is refreshing to see so many jumping into the fray. It speaks well for a city and community that deeply cares about the future. As well as those who cling to the past.

As they used to say in Chicago the theme of the day was to vote early and vote often.

We capture the spirit of the moment with an album of images.