NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Scott Berglund says he'll be more transparent about the city's business and more aggressive in tracking down extra revenue if elected mayor. 

 

The challenger for the corner office held his campaign kickoff during First Friday last week in his headquarters on Eagle Street. 

 

"As your mayor, I'll fight for the resources to rebuild and modernize our city, because a strong foundation supports everything else," he told the two dozen or so gathered in the old Molly's Bakery. "We also need to attract and support new businesses.

 

"I believe in the local economy, one that works for everyone, where entrepreneurs are encouraged, small businesses thrive, and good-paying jobs are available here. We can no longer rely on the past to find the future. It's time to look ahead with innovation and purpose."

 

Berglund will face off against incumbent Jennifer Macksey in November.

 

The newcomer to the city and to politics was inspired to get involved by the grassroots action taken to halt the logging plans in the Notch Forest last year. 

 

Now he's thrown his hat into the mayoral ring because, he said, "we need real leadership to face challenges ahead and to take advantage of the opportunities we deserve."

 

Berglund is a graduate of Western Connecticut State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration marketing, and has worked as a sales representative for Jasper Engines and Transmissions. He and his wife, Kristy, and their two young sons moved to North Adams two years ago. 

 

In response to questions, he said his favorite places are the Bellows Pipe Trail and Mount Greylock (though his wife said she expected him to say Jack's Hot Dogs).

 

"I like the mountains. I like being here. It's hot one day, but it's cool the next," he said. "I've become very fond of this place." Kristy added, "it's our home now."

 

People wandered in and out of the headquarters, festooned in red, white and blue; there were places for visitors to post sticky notes of what they loved about their city and how it could be better. 

 

Berglund laid out five positions in his campaign: fixing infrastructure, focusing on public safety, economic growth, and transparency and community engagement. These priorities are on his website and can found posted at his campaign headquarters. 

 

"Too many of our roads, sidewalks and public facilities have been corrupted for too long," he said. "When infrastructure crumbles, so does our community's confidence."

 

He said public safety would be a top priority because "everyone in North Adams, no matter where they live, deserve to feel safe." The candidate said it means ensuring first-responders have the tools they need.

 

Berglund stressed his commitment to transparency, saying he would foster a relationship "built on trust and respect."

 

"Transparency and collaboration will define my administration," he said. "You have the right to know how the city is being run and to have a say in the decisions that affect your life."

 

As mayor, he said he would hold town halls, keep open communications and "invite the public to every part of the process." 

 

An audience member questioned him on the contrasting plans proposed at a public hearing earlier in the week for the Veterans Memorial Bridge, and Berglund noted an apparent lack of communication for citizens. 

 

"Based on the reaction I saw there, that there was definitely some kind of disconnect going on that people weren't really aware of what was happening," he said. "So that's something in my administration. We've got to be clear on what's happening. We need to know exactly what's going on. And that's all part of these town halls."

 

As for the bridge, Berglund said he took away from the public hearing that if the bridge isn't fixed, it will fail. And that it will take years before the other option — removing it and redirecting traffic to West Main Street — can come to fruition. 

 

In the end, he said, it should be up to the citizens if it should come down at all: "But that's the whole thing, we have to have communication."

 

"I'm here because I believe in the city and believe in you, and together, we can repair what's been broken and build what's missing and lift up every part of North Adams. So let's get to work together, and I'd be honored to earn your support."