Letter: Alex Blumin for City Council

To the Editor: I am excited to endorse Mr. Alex Blumin for Ward 2 City Council. When we elect Mr. Blumin, we continue Ward 2's tradition of self-governance. We consistently choose the independent voice to represent our interests. We have a tradition of preserving a philosophy of reasonable inquiry of elected officials, and we demand responsible financial governance.

Ward 2 awaits the city's fulfillment of its promises to complete roadwork and fix abandoned homes. Mr. Blumin will push the city to achieve these promises. The mayor aggressively hiked water and sewer rates twice in the last two years, and she promised more increases. Ward 2 residents worry about the ever-expanding city budget they are forced to fund. Alex Blumin shares your worries and will fight for responsible budgets. Mr. Blumin will continue to promote reducing your taxes and reducing water rates by using your tax dollars locked in free cash and the cannabis reserves.

City Hall spending lacks transparency. The next councilor will see the $41 million in ARPA funds spent down. The ARPA Advisory Committee meets in secret and spends money on projects that do not appear to benefit Ward 2. The City Council has not had any input on a single dollar spent. Mr. Blumin would dare to ask the hard questions: What did the ARPA Committee discuss in their secret meetings? Pittsfield Economic Development Authority (PEDA) has new funding coming up. Will it support the destitute business environment in Pittsfield and Ward 2? Mr. Blumin will insist that it does.

When Mr. Blumin whispered "corruption" in his debate, he dared to state a fact of our government that many councilors privately discuss. I saw a man display his love and admiration for our legal traditions and institutions. You saw his courage to hold our leaders to high standards and principles.

Mr. Blumin has a long involvement in city politics, and the time is now for him to lead. He has the intelligence and courage to do the job. Ward 2, you must turn out on Sept. 19, and I strongly urge you to vote for Alex Blumin for your councilor.

Charles Kronick
Pittsfield, Mass.

Charles Kronick is the current Ward 2 councilor and is not running for re-election.

Suspect in Circular Avenue Shooting Arraigned

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
01:36PM / Wednesday, September 02, 2026

William Harrison is being held without bail for 120 days. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A suspect is being held without bail after being arraigned on charges related to last month's shooting at Circular Avenue and Division Street. 

 

The prosecution alleges that Willie Harrison, 26, shot Yandel Osorio on Aug. 18 inside a multifamily building in broad daylight when there were a number of people in the general area.

 

Harrison appeared in Pittsfield District Court on Wednesday; he was taken into custody on Tuesday after arriving at court on another matter. He was charged with: 

• Assault and battery by discharging a firearm
• Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building         
• Possession of a firearm without a FID card
• Possession of ammunition without a FID card

Given the circumstances and Harrison's prior criminal history, prosecutors argued that no less restrictive conditions would adequately ensure public safety and asked that he be held without bail for 120 days, which was granted by Judge Rebecca Michaels.

 

"The commonwealth would assert that there are no less restrictive means to assure not only the safety of the victim in this case, but also to assure the safety of the civilians, individuals inside the home, or any other individuals at this point, the investigation continues to be ongoing," said First Assistant District Attorney Marianne Shelvey.

 

"Given the facts concerned in this case, the fact that the shootout occurred in broad daylight when there were individuals present, this could have been a much more significant circumstance." 

 

At the arraignment, Harrison was represented by attorney William Barry, who asked that his client be released with GPS monitoring and no curfew.