MCLA Student To Run For North Adams Mayor Back in February Mayor Thomas Bernard, he would not be running for a third term. Who else will be throwing their hat in the ring to run for Mayor? We did hear that City Councilor Jason LaForest says he is exploring a run for mayor. MCLA student Joshua Vallieres has announced a run and has taken out papers for the Mayor’s Office in North Adams. The 21-year-old told the Berkshire Eagle on Sunday that he considers his age or lack of electoral experience no barrier to building support to succeed Tom Bernard as the city’s mayor.