1. In one paragraph please give a brief biography.
Brief biography... 40 years economic development experience, 22 years on the City Council, seven as President. former small business owner, chamber of commerce manager, director of redevelopment authority, countywide development agency, tourist agency. Married 40 years, two children, five grandchildren. Life has been good to Al Marden and he tries to give something back.
2. What is your vision for a reinvigorated North Adams 10 years down the road?
MassMOCA celebrates its 20th anniversary and has proven to be the engine driving an improved local economy...a strong linkage has been developed between the Moca campus and downtown...the Mohawk theatre has proven to be an important asset in the burgeoning arts/business economic mix.
3. What is the roll of the city council in North Adams government and how should a city councilor’s vision of North Adams come into play in the course of governing North Adams?
City Council is a legislative body providing a check and balance to strong Mayor.
4. Give concrete examples of how you would tackle three or more of the following issues.
*(See below a., b., c., d., e., f., g., h., and I., to view Candidate Marden's response to this question)
a. Employment in North Adams
b. Poverty In North Adams
c. Housing in North Adams
d. Crime in North Adams
e. Attracting business to North Adams
f. Preserving, utilizing, and promoting the Natural Resources of North Adams
g. Engaging the people, skills, and talents, of North Adams toward a better North Adams
h. Engaging with and utilizing the neighbors and the region surrounding North Adams
I. The Downtown of North Adams
Candidate Marden's response-
Again...the City Council can provide the tools and provide the support to address the issues of employment, proverty, housing, crime, business attraction, protecting natural resources....etc.
Thanks, Al Marden Candidate for re-election to the North Adams City Council
