More than 220 Democrats from the Berkshire, Hampshire and Franklin state Senate District will travel to the Democratic State Nominating Convention in Worcester on June 2 and 3, and the overwhelming majority of these elected delegates and alternates will cast their votes in support of gubernatorial candidate Deval Patrick.
“Local leaders who heard Deval Patrick speak in the Berkshires in 2005 were immediately drawn to his intelligence and candor,†said Michael Wilcox, manager of Berkshire efforts for Patrick’s campaign. “We began to recruit supporters throughout the region, and we have stayed in touch with those supporters through the caucuses, signature gathering and as we go into the Convention later this week. Support for Deval remains enthusiastic and steady with 75% of the convention delegates from this Senate district, and interest growing among local groups and voters.â€
Contrary to spin and innuendo making its way into media reports as the convention draws near, there has not been a shift of committed delegates from candidate Patrick to Chris Gabrieli, who entered the race after the February caucuses when local voters elected their representatives to the convention. Like their counterparts throughout the state, a network of Patrick supporters in the Berkshires have been contacting and tracking delegates since the caucuses, and Wilcox has compiled the following statistics showing levels of support for gubernatorial candidates among delegates from the Berkshire, Hampshire and Franklin region:
No. of Percent of
Delegates Delegates
Gabrieli 1 0%
Patrick 167 75%
Reilly 28 13%
Undecided/Unknown 27 12%
Total 223 100%
The Reilly campaign has emphasized that it seeks only 15% of the total delegate vote at the convention (the minimum percentage required to secure a place on the primary ballot), and that its supporters recruited delegate candidates in only a few caucuses statewide. [Globe, Feb. 5, “Patrick Wins Big†and Globe, May 28.]
Patrick campaign supporters, by contrast, have actively pursued the “50 State†strategy of the Democratic Party, which is committed to winning elections at every level in every region, with Democrats organized in every precinct in the country. Consequently, the campaign worked to re-establish Democratic Town Committees in small Berkshire towns such as Sandisfield and Mount Washington, and has brought many newcomers into the political process by recruiting and electing first-time delegate candidates in many towns and wards.
One of these new delegates is Jeremy Halek, a resident of Cheshire. “I have never been as excited about politics as I am after hearing Deval Patrick,†said Halek. “Working on this campaign is helping me to understand how the system works and to find a way to make a difference. I plan to stay active in politics and to bring in more people who haven’t known how to get a foot in the door.â€
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Berkshire County in 'Significant Drought'
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Following an extended period of below-normal precipitation, the Western region of Massachusetts, encompassing Berkshire County, has been elevated to a Level 2 – Significant Drought status by Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper.
This designation underscores the persistent dry conditions affecting the area and necessitates heightened awareness and water conservation efforts.
"The recent rain and snowfall are a welcome reprieve from the drought we have been experiencing," said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "However, it has not been enough to replenish our groundwater. As the growing season approaches, it is vital that everyone continues to follow state guidance and local water restrictions to ensure water is available for our essential needs."
Over the past month, most of the state received between 2-4 inches of rain and snow which is 1-1.5 inches below normal. The data collected by the Drought Management Task Force (DMTF) reflects the observations made from the start of the drying conditions in August 2024 through the end of February. Overall, most of the state is in an 8-13 inches deficit since last August, with the Cape and Islands at 5-8 inches deficit. Although there has been an accumulation of snow, freezing temperatures and frozen ground have prevented snowmelt from soaking through. Despite temporary surges in streamflow from recent precipitation events, streamflow and groundwater have worsened in nearly all regions, and recharge that typically occurs at this time of the year to reservoirs and groundwater is diminished. Residents can report dry environmental conditions they are experiencing and submit photos to support state drought monitoring efforts here.
A Level 2 – Significant Drought requires ongoing monitoring and coordination among state and local agencies. Municipalities within Berkshire County are urged to implement water use restrictions and provide technical assistance to water suppliers. Residents and businesses are advised to minimize overall water use, with a particular focus on indoor conservation measures such as fixing leaks and using water-efficient appliances.
Communities in Berkshire County are encouraged to limit or prohibit non-essential water usage, such as washing hard surfaces and vehicles, and to establish water-use reduction targets. They should also develop or refine local drought management plans, utilizing guidance from the state's Drought Management Plan.
The EEA and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) will continue to monitor conditions in Berkshire County and provide support to local communities in managing their water resources. Residents can contribute to state drought monitoring efforts by reporting dry environmental conditions and submitting photos.
Pittsfield High's Matt Dupuis and Lee's Devyn Fillio Sunday won the boys and girls individual high school bowling State Championships at Spare Time.
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