Pittsfield's Council President Opts Out Of Re-election Bid
Staff Reports
Council President Kevin Sherman being sworn in as council president.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. - Council President Kevin Sherman will not be running for reelection.
Sherman released a statement on Wednesday saying he will serve out the remainder of his term but will not return to the council after the next election. Sherman has been a councilor at large for the last six years and was elected president last year.
Read Sherman's statement below.
Dear Friends,
“…. it’s okay to dream.”
I saw this phrase in a recent trip to the JFK Museum in Hyannis with a picture of President Kennedy with his arm around young Caroline. It made me realize how lucky I have been over the past six years to have been able to live my dream of being involved in Pittsfield politics.
The thing about dreams is that they evolve over time as we grow and I have decided to let go of this dream at this time. Therefore, I will not seek re-election in 2013.
This has not been an easy decision as my love for Pittsfield is stronger than ever and I know I have much to offer. But I also have responsibilities and priorities that have matured along with me over the past decade. My number one priority is, and always will be, my family. They have sacrificed quite a bit for me to follow my dreams and now it’s time for me to return the favor and enjoy every second that I can in the great years ahead. I want to publicly thank my wife Tammi for all that she has done to provide me with support, confidence, and strength over these past several years. I literally could not have done it without her.
Nor could I have been successful without my mom, Maryann, brother Bryon, father Tom, and Uncle Remo as well as those who have been by our side from the get-go. There are so many others I’d like to thank personally but I don’t want to risk missing anyone so I’ll just say “Thank You” to you all for your years of support, guidance, and encouragement during this extraordinary period in my life.
It has been a pleasure and honor to serve as Councilor at Large for six years and as the City Council President during this term, and I will continue to serve full speed ahead until January 2014.
I love you all dearly and will continue to be a part of the community through coaching, the Democratic City Committee, and charitable foundations like UNICO. I’m looking forward to living more dreams and spending my time being a better citizen, a better employee, a better father, a better son, a better husband, a better friend, a better golfer, a better neighbor, a better UNICAN, a better brother, a better Uncle, and a better Godfather.
As a parting note to those who will continue to lead Pittsfield into the future, I repeat the phrase above: “….it’s okay to dream.” Our greatest natural resource is our people and we will follow you to new eras of greatness if you just have the courage and vision to show the way.
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The cities of Pittsfield and North Adams will hold municipal elections for mayor, city council and school committee in 2015
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