NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Beaver Mill's First Thursday discussion group for September will feature a talk with four candidates for City Council.

The group invited four of the 18 candidates who had "indicated a specific interest in exploring the best ways the city, via the council, can utilize the art community for mutual benefit," according to a press release from the group.

Appearing will be Eric Buddington, Nancy Parisien Bullett and Jennifer Breen Kirsch, and incumbent Keith Bona. Gail Sellers had been invited but will be out of town that night.

"Since this is not meant to be a full council-candidates' debate, we have limited the participants to just four candidates, so that there will be time for a discussion with all participants," said Eric Rudd of the Beaver Mill, who said another discussion may take place in October. "Obviously, the arts have been an important economic engine for the city; how we continue this relationship could determine how successful the city is in the future."

The initial First Thursday discussion in July featured Mayor Richard Alcombright and new tourism director Veronica Bosley; the August one, trademark/copyright attorney Paul Rapp.

The talk will take place Thursday, Sept. 1, from 6:30 to 8 in Leibman Studios. Light refreshments will be served. Access is in the rear of the building; turn onto McCauly Road from Beaver Street and take a left. Space is limited so attendees are asked to use the parking lot across the street from the mill to ensure parking for those with difficulty walking.

The First Thursday talks are designed for, but not limited to, the arts community.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pam Malumphy, an independent candidate for state representative for the 3rd Berkshire District, said her campaign will focus on fice key issues.

Eager to hear from other candidates, Malumphy said she is first to put forth a platform focusing on key issues affecting the district, which covers the city of Pittsfield, as well as the commonwealth:

1) Jobs

2) Education

3) Affordable health care for families, elders and veterans

4) Ethics reform

5) Lifetime appointments and rerm limits

Malumphy said her background has afforded her skills no other candidate possesses in this upcoming special election. As the recent regional director for the Massachusetts Office of Business Development, Malumphy networked with local, regional, state and federal agencies to assist businesses. But she also recognized the state's programs could fall short when it came to assisting small business. 

"Most of my dealings were with smaller businesses and I would love to find a way to match state dollars with the local GE Economic Development Fund to create a small loan and grant system for small business," said Malumphy. "It's that kind of thinking that will help support the family and small businesses we want to see grow."

A former teacher with an undergraduate and graduate degree in education, Malumphy served for five years, until 2010, on the local School Building Needs Commission that is looking at city's high schools. 

"I understand the growing confusion as to the relationship between the SBNC and the state [School] Building Authority and how residents need more information. The 3rd Berkshire state rep can and should be a strong advocate and positive intermediary with getting the process back on track."

A third issue for Malumphy's campaign is affordable and accessible health care. "Health care is mandated in Massachusetts and the state has taken far too large a role in becoming an insurer rather than advocate for making certain we have affordable and accessible health care.”

Lastly, with the last two Democratic state representatives vacating their seats prior to completing their terms and forcing expensive special elections, Malumphy is determined to demonstrate that partisan politics and back-room deals are not acceptable in Pittsfield or on Beacon Hill. 

"I can't tell you how disappointed I am to watch what's happened in our district with another vacated state rep seat, the recent lifetime appointment for clerk magistrate, a local administration under continuous ethics scrutiny, and candidates who are vacating their own public responsibilities to run for this seat," said Malumphy. "We need an advocate for jobs, affordable health care particularly for families, our elders and veterans, education, and strong reform when it comes to ethics, lifetime appointments and term limits. It is critical that we have an independent voice on Beacon Hill representing this community's concerns and not pandering to partisan politics and patronage."

Visit VoteMalumphy.com for more detailed information about her platform.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The public is invited to attend a pasta dinner fundraiser to benefit the Committee to Elect Peter Marchetti Mayor on Friday, Aug. 26, from 5 to 8 at the Polish Falcon Club, 32 Belair Ave.

Cost is a $15 donation. Tickets may be purchased at the door, or reserved by calling 413-443-1411.

Peter Marchetti is a candidate for mayor. He is currently in his eighth year as on the Pittsfield City Council and as its vice president. He is chairman the council's Finance Subcommittee, serves on Public Health and Safety Subcommittee and is vice chairman of the Community and Economic Development Subcommittee. In addition he serves as the council representative on the Conservation Commission.

Marchetti is very active in the community, serving with the Morningside Initiative, on the board of directors of Pittsfield TV, state Youth and Adult Bowling leagues, the Helen Berube Teen Parent Program, Pittsfield Parade Committee, and many others.

Just this month, the Marchetti Campaign headquarters was opened at 766 Tyler St. Office hours have been expanded to Tuesday through Saturday from 10 to 1 and Tuesday through Thursday evenings from 6 to 8. The office can be reached at 413-443-1411 and 413-443-1220.

For more information, visit www.petemarchetti.com, pete@petemarchetti.com or Marchetti at 413-212-2163.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — In an early demonstration of unity, the three Democratic candidates for state representative for the 3rd Berkshire District, Peter White, Ryan Scago and Tricia Farley-Bouvier, on Tuesday joined striking Verizon workers on the picket line and issued the following statement:

We support without reservation the members of the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers who are now on strike at Verizon Communications in Pittsfield and throughout the vommonwealth.

We are troubled by the attack on middle-class workers as exemplified by Verizon's demands for a pension freeze, fewer sick days, and far higher employee health contributions. Meanwhile, Verizon is making unprecedented profits with its CEO Ivan Seidenberg earning more than $18 million in total compensation in 2010 – roughly $49,000 every day. Sound economic policy requires us to stabilize our economy and one factor in that is greater pay equity between workers and executives.

The Verizon workers have not asked for increases in their wages and benefits in their contract negotiations, they simply do not want their benefits slashed and their job security put in jeopardy. We appreciate that the company returned to the table and we request that the corporate executives bargain in good faith for a fair contract for working families.

It is our hope that a united front based on the values of the democratic party will bring much needed awareness from the community to the struggle of these workers for a fair contract.

Signed,
Tricia Farley-Bouvier, Ryan Scago and Peter White
Democratic Candidates for State Representative, 3rd Berkshire District

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Five are vying for the corner office and 19 are for 11 seats on the City Council.

Daniel L. Bianchi is making another run after being edged out by James Ruberto last election; he will be up against Peter Marchetti, Joseph Nichols, Steve Fillio and Donna Walto in a preliminary election on Sept. 27. Ruberto has declined to run after serving three terms.

Bianchi was a five-term councilor in Ward 6 before the 2009 election. Marchetti is considered to be an extension of the Ruberto tenure and is a four-term councilor at large.  Nichols is a newcomer to the City Council, after being elected to Ward 7 in 2009, but has proved to be outspoken on city matters — and often voting in the minority. Walto, a local entrepreneur, took a run for the corner office in 2007 but was defeated by Ruberto, and Fillio has ran in the last two elections but failed to move past the preliminary.

Eight are vying for the four council at-large seats. Incumbents Melissa Mazzeo and Kevin Sherman will face Nicholas Caccamo, Barry Clairmont, Churchill Cotton, Anthony Maffuccio, Thomas Sakshaug and Richard Scapin. 

Caccamo threw his hat in for mayor in the last election and Maffuccio was soundly defeated in the preliminary for the Ward 7 seat. Sakshaug is a member of the city's Animal Control and Conservation commissions. Clairmont is a member of the School Building Needs Commission. Richard Scapin is a former city council president and Cotton is a longtime member of the School Committee

In Ward 3, Jeffrey Ferrin is taking on incumbent Paul Capitanio. Ferrin has worked in the city's highway department and is involved with multiple public safety organizations.

Ward 4 will need a preliminary election to trim the pool down to two. James Bronson, Christopher Connell and Ozias "Chuck" Vincelette are all pursuing the seat that is currently filled by Michael L. Ward, who is not running for re-election. Bronson is the current president of the Berkshire County Republican Association. Vincelette sat in the Ward 4 seat until 2005 when he was beaten by Ward.

Incumbent Jonathan Lothrop will face a challenge in Joe Breault for Ward 5. Incumbent Christine Yon is uncontested in Ward 1, incumbent John Krol is uncontested in Ward 6 and newcomer Anthony Simonelli will be uncontested for Ward 7, which is being vacated by Nichols for a run for mayor.

Seven people have entered the race for School committee. Kathy Amuso, Alf Barbalunga, Daniel Elias, Jonathan King, Terry Kinnas, Kathy Yon and James Conant will all be after six seats. Linda Tyler is uncontested for city clerk.

As of Tuesday, all of the nomination signatures have been certified accept for Walto. The election schedule is available below.

Pittsfield Municipal Election Schedule 2011