Sen. Kerry visits businesses in North Adams
By Meghan Foley, North Adams Transcript
Tuesday, August 5

NORTH ADAMS -- The doors to the Mohawk Theater were opened Monday morning for one man -- Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. -- to tour the dilapidated structure that is awaiting renovation.

"This is fabulous. This is so neat. These old theaters are spectacular," Kerry said, as he exited the theater alongside North Adams Mayor John Barrett III.

Kerry and Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., have been involved in securing funding for the historic theater, built in 1938.

To date, North Adams has received between $600,000 and $700,000 in federal funding for the project, Barrett said.

"I think that communities are beginning to realize -- and the mayor is ahead of the curb on this -- that a lot of these old theaters are national assets," Kerry said. "They draw people downtown and bring life to the community."

Economy and art

While in North Adams, Kerry visited Moulton's General Store on Main Street, where he asked manager Laurie Moulton about the business and what the store carried.

"It was nice he took time out of his busy schedule to come to North Adams and find out what's going on in our end of the state," she said.

Kerry also visited the North Adams Artists' Co-op Gallery, where he spoke to five artists and viewed the works on display.

"The more we can let artist communities thrive the better," he said.

Later, while visiting the annual Massachusetts Teachers' Association summer conference at Williams College in Williamstown, Kerry said, "Historically in this country in tough economic times, arts have been part of the recovery of the economy. One needs to respect it and nurture it."

The visit to North Adams was the fourth stop on Kerry's re-election campaign tour, his press secretary Brigid O'Rourke said. Going into the election season, Kerry has one primary challenger, Ed O'Reilly, and one general election challenger, Jeff Beatty.

Kerry ended his tour of North Adams at Taylor's Fine Dining on Holden Street, where he met with constituents, gave a speech, and fielded questions.

State Rep. Daniel E. Bosley, D-North Adams, and Barrett introduced Kerry, who then stood on a wooden chair in the middle of the restaurant's dining room.

"Everything that brought me into public life is on the line right now," Kerry said to an enthusiastic crowd of supporters.

Kerry spoke about getting a strong Democrat majority in the U.S. Senate, the future of American jobs -- which he said are in the fields of nanotechnology, robotics, communication, and particularly energy and green products -- and worker's rights.

"What we need to do is restore the rights of the people who work hard to make this country what it is," he said.

Jen Bernard, Tom Bernard and their daughter Alex, 9, of North Adams were among those gathered at Taylor's.

"I was really glad he came to North Adams. I think it means a lot to the community," Jen Bernard said. Family friend, Jim Canavan added the senator was good on Alex's issues of education and the environment.

Caring for health care

After flying into Harriman and West Airport, Kerry arrived at Boxcar Media on Main Street at around 11:45 a.m. in a downpour.

Kerry met with employees of the Internet-based media company asking about their work, and the challenges the company faces as a small business, including health care costs.

"We're hoping next year is health care reform," Kerry said. "We have to reduce the cost. We don't have the best system in the world."

In addition, he spoke of the importance of getting information technology into health care.

Bonnie Cantoni and William Smith of North Adams were among people gathered along Main Street hoping to get a couple words with the long-time senator.

Cantoni said she and Smith had written to Kerry's office in Boston about changing the share parenting and restraining order laws.

After speaking briefly with Kerry, she said, "People are getting restraining orders, and abusing them, and that has to change."

Following a quick tour of the Mohawk, Kerry reaffirmed his support for Barack Obama's presidential campaign before continuing down Main Street stopping to talk to local businesses and residents.

"I voted for him a few years ago. It's nice to see he has taken an interest in this town," Josh Pisano of Cheshire, who was sitting outside Cup and Saucer, said.

Teachers for Kerry

Following his visit to North Adams, Kerry went to Williams-town to mingle with state educators attending the five-day professional development conference.

"It's very exciting to see him out here," Retired MTA member, Mary Gilmore of South Yarmouth, said.

Gilmore said she worked on Kerry's re-election campaigns over the years, and also worked on his presidential campaign in 2004.

"He has been right with us all the way. I'm glad to see him here today," Peter Matrow, president of the Monson Teachers' Association, said.