Potholes fixed near Patrick's home before First Lady's visit

RICHMOND, Mass. (AP) - The potholes Gov. Deval Patrick had asked to be fixed near his western Massachusetts home before a fundraising visit by first lady Michelle Obama have been filled and local officials say the political uproar over the request was much ado about nothing.

West Stockbridge Town Administrator Mark Webber says the holes were filled Thursday in 90 minutes at a cost of about $100. He tells The Berkshire Eagle the town had planned on fixing the road anyway.

A Patrick aide made the request to officials in neighboring Richmond, where the home is located. Richmond administrator Matthew Kerwood passed along the request.

Kerwood, a Republican, says he approached Patrick first to ask how the town could make the first lady's visit more enjoyable and said Patrick was treated like any resident.