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Nuciforo Endorses Blackmer for City Council |
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Blackmer Campaign On: 01:18PM / Saturday November 05, 2011 |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Andrea F. Nuciforo Jr., former state senator and Middle Berkshire Register of Deeds, on Saturday announced his endorsement of Lisa Blackmer for re-election to the North Adams City Council.
"Lisa has shown her willingness to work with others to address the issues facing North Adams," Nuciforo said. "She does her homework. Her work ethic and commitment to improving the local economy are impressive. I am pleased to give Lisa my support."
"I would like to thanks Andrea for his support," Blackmer said. "This endorsement adds to the forward momentum for my City Council campaign and I look forward to working with Andrea on addressing the issues facing our great city."
Blackmer is seeking re-election to her third term on the City Council. She has served on numerous city and regional organizations such as the Northern Berkshire Food Festival, Berkshire Food Project, Fall Foliage Parade and Festival Committee, and the North Adams Open Studios Committee. She is a graduate of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, holding a degree in business administration.
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Downing Endorses Roach for City Council |
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Roach Campaign On: 10:03AM / Monday October 31, 2011 |
 NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — State Sen. Benjamin B. Downing of Pittsfield has given his support to North Adams City Council candidate Greg Roach of Marion Avenue.
According to Downing:
"Greg is exactly the type of person we need in public service. He is engaged, committed, and cares deeply about North Adams and the Berkshires. I know, if given the opportunity, he will serve the citizens of North Adams with distinction and will be a great asset to the community, as we work to address our common challenges."
Roach's reaction to Downing's statement:
"I have had the pleasure of discussing many issues, both broad an narrow, with Ben over the last few years and I hold his opinions and devotion to public service in extremely high esteem. The fact that he is supporting my efforts is quite humbling."
Contact Roach at greg@gregoryroach.com.
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County, State Leaders Endorse Alcombright |
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Alcombright Campaign On: 09:49AM / Friday October 28, 2011 |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Mayor Richard Alcombright announced that he has received the support of U.S. Rep. John W. Olver, Attorney General Martha Coakley, state Sen. Benjamin Downing and Berkshire Sheriff Thomas Bowler for re-election to the office of mayor.
"It is a pleasure to publicly support Mayor Dick Alcombright for re-election," Olver stated. "Since taking office, Mayor Alcombright has demonstrated leadership and progressive planning in the City of North Adams. I look forward to working with him on other economic development initiatives and city projects in the future."
Coakley:
"Dick Alcombright has made a difference for North Adams at a time when every community is feeling economic stress. His commitment to addressing the municipal issues that every city faces and his work on the issues that make North Adams unique are sure signs that his leadership is what the city needs. I hope that you will vote on election day and that you will re-elect Dick Alcombright for mayor. As your attorney general, I want the best for all of our families and kids, and all of our cities and towns in the commonwealth. I have known Dick Alcombright for well over 40 years, and am proud to support him for re-election."
Downing:
"Dick has been a great partner the past two years. He has been tireless in his efforts to make sure state proposals to make government work and put people to work, work for North Adams. He has fought to retain state services in the city and has worked to make sure they remain for those in need. He has been a great partner for me, but more importantly, he's been a great fighter for the citizens of North Adams."
Bowler:
"I would like to recognize and thank Mayor Alcombright for his commitment to the collaborative efforts with the sheriff's office in education/Juvenile Resource Center, public safety/Triad and Senior Safety programs, and the community service projects conducted for the last two years in the City of North Adams."
"I am so pleased to have the support of these four wonderful public servants. To have them speak so highly on my behalf is humbling," Alcombright said. "My work with them is an extension of my daily responsibilities. All have made themselves very accessible to me and have provided significant resources that have brought so much good to our city, county, state and country. I thank them all for their friendship, mentoring and their votes of confidence."
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3rd Berkshire Candidates Wrap Up Endorsements |
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By Joe Durwin On: 08:30PM / Monday October 17, 2011 |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield voters in the 3rd Berkshire District will once again go to the polls on Tuesday to choose their next state representative in what has been a passionately contested 4-way race prompted by the resignation of Christopher Esperanzo from the seat this past summer.
As candidates make their final push to get out the vote, individual and organizational supporters have been vocal in announcing their hopes for the winner.
On Sunday, The Berkshire Eagle announced its endorsement of Democratic nominee Tricia Farley-Bouvier for the seat, in contrast to last November when the publication chose not to endorse a candidate in the race between Speranzo, the re-elected incumbent, and the paper's former editor, Mark Miller.
iBerkshires.com has not publicly endorsed any candidate in this race, but has instead collected a list of endorsements received by each candidate.
Republican Mark Jester recently received the endorsement of New Jobs for Massachusetts, a newly formed political advocacy group based in Boxborough. A self-described avid sportsmen, Jester has also received the endorsements of the Massachusetts Motorcycle Political Action Committee, Gun Owners Action League of Massachusetts, National Rifle Association, Berkshire County League of Sportsmen Clubs (23 clubs and 3,000-plus members), Pittsfield Sportsmen's Club and Lenox Sportsmen's Club.
Green-Rainbow Party candidate Miller's campaign has garnered a perhaps surprising amount of support among labor unions such as Massachusetts Nurses Association and United Auto Workers, which have traditionally favored Democratic candidates. Other major organizations include Mass Alliance, a statewide coalition of progressive organizations and action groups, Planned Parenthood, and Clean Water Action. While the growing Occupy Berkshire movement kicked off just over a week ago has not officially endorsed any candidate, vocal support for Miller's candidacy was expressed by many participants at their recent rallies, and Miller was seen in attendance at their Lenox rally at Town Hall.
Independent candidate Pam Malumphy told iBerkshires "of the many endorsement questionnaires that were sent to me, I only filled out NARAL's [National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League]. What I've really focused on is going door-to-door and connecting with voters and great volunteers in this community." Malumphy cited as supporters City Councilor Melissa Mazzeo (who has run radio ads supporting Malumphy's campaign), Adam Hersch of Cavalier Management, Rich Vinette, executive director of Lee Development Corp., former Berkshire Chamber Chairwoman June-Roy Martin, and former City Solicitor Kathleen Degnan.
Farley-Bouvier is a favorite of many local and regional Democrats including Mayor James Ruberto (who hired her as his public affairs aide and then promoted her to acting director of administrative services), Rep. Benjamin B. Downing, Rep. Paul Mark, and Gov. Deval Patrick, who was in attendance at a Friday fundraiser held for her at Itam Lodge. Her campaign also offered the following names of local businesspeople and personalities who've publicly endorsed her run: Council President Gerald Lee, former Mayor Kit Dobelle, Tom Geary, Jeanne Massimiano, Carole Siegel, Shirley Edgerton, Mary O'Brien, Mary Rentz and Miguel Gomez. Farley-Bouvier also received the endorsement of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, who had previously endorsed candidate Peter White in the primary.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday for all precincts voting in the special election. A list of polling locations can be found here and on the Election 2011 blog. (Note: Precincts B in both Wards 1 and 5 are in the 4th District.)
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Jester Endorsed as 'Jobs Candidate' |
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Jester Campaign On: 12:31PM / Sunday October 16, 2011 |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mark Jester, Republican candidate for state representative, was endorsed on Friday by New Jobs for Massachusetts, an advocacy group for job creation in Massachusetts. Mike Hruby, president of the group, described Jester as the best jobs candidate.
"As a state representative, we strongly believe that Mark will fight for initiatives that will help grow jobs in Massachusetts. Mark Jester is the pro-jobs candidate," said Hruby.
NJFM conducted a survey of all the candidates running in the special election on Oct. 18 to fill the vacant 3rd District seat. Jester's survey showed that he has the best understanding of how regulations, high taxes and government bureaucracy can deter job growth, according to Hruby. Moreover, Jester supports immediate reforms that can help the commonwealth's economy.
Jester is the second candidate in the state to receive the distinction of being a "Pro-Jobs Candidate" from New Jobs for Massachusetts. Last month, newly elected state Rep. Keiko Orrall received the first recognition.
| Unemployed workers |
300,000 |
| Underemployed workers |
600,000 |
| College graduates per year |
90,000 |
| High school graduates not going to college |
10,000 |
| Total |
1 million |
Figures supplied by NJFM
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"Pittsfield residents who want to turn around the economy and create more jobs locally should support Mark Jester's candidacy in the Oct. 18 special election," said Hruby.
NJFM has been sounding the alarm that Massachusetts has a jobs crisis. According to its figures, the commonwealth needs one million jobs in order to satisfy the need for employment.
NJFM officials say the new organization is funded by private small contributions so it does not have a membership list that might face retaliation from the State House for being vocal on issues.
Mike Hruby of Boxborough has been a consultant to large and mid-sized technology companies for more than 20 years. During the course of more than 500 projects, his firm helped companies nationwide enter new markets for their products. Since 2004, he built a data center cooling business for a client based on its patent, and found licensees for corporate technologies. He wrote an award-winning book on corporate growth strategy titled "Technoleverage." He has a master's degree in resource economics from the University of New Hampshire.
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 State Election
Tuesday, Nov. 4
Voting is from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Deadline to register or change party affiliation was Oct.15.
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Candidates on the ballot in races for state office; all others on the ballot are unopposed. Links will take you to their campaign websites.
U.S. Senator
• Edward J. Markey, Democrat
• Brian J. Herr, Republican
Governor/Lieutenant Governor
• Charlie Baker & Karyn Polito, Republican
• Martha Coakley & Stephen Kerrigan, Democrat
• Evan Falchuk & Angus Jennings, United Independent Party
• Scott Lively & Shelly Saunders, Independent
• Jeff McCormick & Tracy Post, Independent
Attorney General
• Maura Healey, Democratic
• John B. Miller, Republican
Secretary of State
• William Francis Galvin, Democratic
• David D'Arcangelo, Republican
• Daniel L. Factor, Green-Rainbow
Treasurer
• Deborah B. Goldberg, Democratic
• Michael James Heffernan, Republican
• Ian T. Jackson, Green-Rainbow
Auditor
• Suzanne M. Bump, Democratic
• Patricia S. Saint Aubin, Republican
• MK Merelice, Green-Rainbow
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Municipal Elections
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The cities of Pittsfield and North Adams will hold municipal elections for mayor, city council and school committee in 2015
You may vote absentee: if you will be absent from your town or city on election day, have a physical disability that prevents you from voting at the polls or cannot vote at the polls because to religious beliefs.
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2010 Special Senate Election Results
Election 2009 Stories
Election Day 2008
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