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Capuano Pitches to Western Mass. Voters

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano, D-Somerville, made a whirlwind tour of Western Mass. on Saturday. Top, state Rep. Daniel Bosley and Mayor John Barrett III introduce him at Taylor's Restaurant.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Senate hopeful Michael Capuano ventured into what could be described as enemy territory over the weekend with a swing through Berkshire County.

The six-term U.S. representative from Somerville is in a four-way race for the Democratic nomination for Senate and trying to rev up name recognition on the far side of the state. It's tough going considering the front-runner to replace the late Sen. Edward Kennedy is Berkshires native Martha Coakley, the state's attorney general.

But the plain-spoken Capuano was in Coakley's hometown on Saturday stressing his experience, honesty and working-class roots (he lives in a duplex) to the dozen or so people at Taylor's Restaurant.

Flanked by longtime friends and supporters state Rep. Daniel Bosley and Mayor John Barrett III, the dapper Capuano urged voters to look at his record before marking their ballots in the Dec. 8 primary.

"Don't listen to what I say, look at what I've done," he said, pointing to his vote against the Iraq War, a record of protecting the homeless and tenants, going after credit card companies and bringing in millions in transportation funding to the state. "My record is a good indicator of where I'll go."

It's no secret that Western Mass. residents are wary of eastern promises. Capuano's from Somerville but his congressional district contains nearly 70 percent of the state's capital. He tried to make links between the densely populated Somerville in the shadow of Boston and the far-flung North Adams, both blue-collar cities.

"Even right next to Boston, we know it's easy to be forgotten," said Capuano, who spent eight years as Somerville mayor, and is credited in part for cleaning up the crime-ridden, gritty postindustrial city once known as a headquarters for the Winter Hill gang.


Capuano is vying against front-runner Martha Coakley for the late Ted Kennedy's Senate seat. Find out more at mikecapuano.com.
"The measure of success was how quickly you moved out," said Capuano, comparing its turnaround to that of North Adams under Barrett, his friend and colleague of more than 18 years.

Barrett said Capuano has the executive and legislative acumen needed in a senator. "I'm passionate about Mike Capuano because he knows the problems out here."

While barely touching on the race for mayor here, Capuano questioned why anyone would ignore experience to hire someone who wasn't qualified in a riposte that could as easily be applied to Barrett as to himself.

"Would you hire an electrician who didn't have the qualifications? Would you hire a doctor without those qualifications?" said Capuano. "Maybe, if you had no other choice."

His visit came a day after Coakley endorsed mayoral challenger Richard Alcombright (U.S. Sen. John Kerry endorsed Barrett on Sunday).

Both Barrett, the state's longest-serving mayor, and Bosley were cool to Coakley's Senate run, remarking on the attorney general's fishing for endorsements with Kennedy barely in the ground; Bosley called it "tacky" in a comment to The Berkshire Eagle.

A replacement for the so-called "lion of the Senate" should be weighed carefully, said Bosley.


"It can't be decided on geography or where somebody's from, it can't be decided on friendships, it can't be decided on all the different things that drive us to choose someone," he said. "This is very serious we need to put the best person in that job. ... It's important to have someone who tells you the truth."

In wide-ranging discussion, Capuano explained his votes against the Iraq War ("I need to be convinced that I would be willing to send my own child.") and No Child Left Behind ("I'd never vote for an unfunded mandate.").

He's also of the mind that it's time to get out of Afghanistan, since the mission was to rid the country of al-Qaida. With fewer than 100 al-Qaida members believed left in that chaotic nation, "I would say mission accomplished ... If the mission has changed to bring democracy to Afghanistan, I'll vote no and let the people decide."

He said the president hasn't moved fast enough on LGBT issues such as "don't ask, don't tell" and the Defense of Marriage Act in response to a question. "I don't know that we'll have the votes [to overturn] but we'll try."

Capuano said he's also not happy with the cap-and-trade bill, preferring a straight carbon tax to cut out the middleman, but added sometimes compromise is necessary.

The same goes for the 2,000-page health insurance reform bill to be debated in the House this week that includes both good and bad, he said. "No one gets to vote on anything perfect."


Capuano speaks with voters before heading to Pittsfield. He also stopped in Greenfield and Easthampton and his 'Open Mike' stop will be broadcast on Northern Berkshire Community TV.
Massachusetts needs to continue build the intellectual capital that's carried it along since the Industrial Revolution. The manufacturing may end up taking place in cheaper places, but the concepts are created here, said Capuano. "We need to be ready for the next curve."

Capuano already holds one Kennedy seat — the 8th Mass. District that sent John F. Kennedy to Congress and was last held by Joseph P. Kennedy Jr.

Who inherits the Kennedy Senate seat will likely be determined by the Dec. 8 Democratic primary between Capuano, Coakley, City-Year founder Alan Khazei and Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca. Republicans state Sen. Scott Brown of Wrentham and Jack E. Robinson are also running. The general election is Jan. 19.

Capuano has been holding forth in diners, living rooms and meeting halls, trying to overcome Coakley's statewide recognition — and catch up to the AG's tonier events that have raised her more than $2 million. ("This is the nicest restaurant we've been in," said one of his enthusiastic campaign volunteers.)

"Public financing to me would be a godsend and very good for the country," said Capuano, who's so far raised just over a million. "There are no special interest groups for people who live in two-family homes."

Still, the congressman known for his pugnacious manner is sprinting has hard as he can in the 35 days he has left.

"I've never given up on anything in my whole life and I never will."
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McCann and Taconic Awarded CTI Grants

Staff Reports
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $525,482 in Career Technical Initiative (CTI) implementation grants awarded to two organizations in the Berkshires to train 80 individuals for careers in high-demand occupations within the trades, construction, and manufacturing sectors in the region. 
 
In North Adams, McCann Technical School was awarded $344,871 to provide training to 60 participants for Automotive Technician, Advanced Manufacturing, and Welding positions. They will partner with T&M Auto Sales Inc., Berkshire Bridge & Iron Co. Inc., Haddad GMC, Haddad Subaru, Bedard Brothers Auto Sales Inc., Lenco Armored Vehicles, TOG Manufacturing, Sinicon Plastics, Adams Plumbing & Heating Inc., and Gills Point S Tire.
 
"We are excited to be working with our MassHire team to continue to address our workforce needs and build talent pipelines and career pathways in Advanced Manufacturing, Welding and Automotive Technician," McCann Superintendent James Brosnan said. "This CTI award will provide hands-on training and support as we continue to expand our skilled talent pool for employers in the Berkshires."
 
In Pittsfield Taconic High School was awarded $180,610 to provide training to 20 participants for Metal Fabrication and Auto Technology positions. They will partner with O.W. Landergren Inc., Lenco Industries Inc., Bedard Brothers, Haddad's Auto Group, and RW's Auto Inc.
 
"Pittsfield Public Schools is incredibly grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Commonwealth Corporation for the CTI award to Taconic High School. This grant will have a significant and lasting impact on our community by providing skilled technicians to address critical shortages in Berkshire County," said Superintendent Joseph Curtis. "We are excited to partner with Lenco Industries, Haddads, Bedards, RW Auto, O.W. Landergren, Northeast Fabricators, and the MassHire Berkshire Career Center. These partnerships will serve as a catalyst for positive change, ensuring that our trainees are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st-century workforce, while simultaneously strengthening our local economy."
 
The CTI grant program, a state-funded workforce initiative, partners with career and technical education schools to provide adult learners, especially unemployed and underemployed individuals from underserved populations and underrepresented groups, with career training and technical skills to meet the needs of Massachusetts employers. The program transforms career and technical education schools across the state to become "Career Technical Institutes" that run after dark programs in the construction/trades, manufacturing, and skilled trades career pathways. 
 
"Addressing our workforce needs and building talent pipelines and career pathways in construction, trades and manufacturing sectors is a priority for this administration," said Governor Maura Healey. "CTI offers hands-on training that will support our jobseekers, workers and employers. We're proud to expand the CTI awards to these two schools in the Berkshires to strengthen our workforce and grow our economy throughout the state."  
 
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