Nancy Bullett of Maple Street, North Adams, is a candidate for North Adams City Council.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — At the outset of my campaign for City Council, I would like to share a few thoughts. I am a fourth-generation North Adams resident, so while I am a first-time political candidate I am not a rookie when it comes to community activities and concerns.

I have experienced the ups and downs of our city. I am a product of our school system and have a great love for the incredible beauty and natural resources that surround us. I am also very aware of the many problems we face living in a community with many poor people living in it.

I am a physical therapist and a small-business owner. I have worked with many of our residents over the years and have listened carefully to people discussing their many concerns abut the community. Given the work I do, I have learned much about how our health system works, or should I say doesn't work, and I believe I have something to offer the city in this area.

I have also been impressed with the generosity and teamwork that I see in our community. As a former member of the Parks and Recreation Commission for five years, and current member of the Windsor Lake Commission, I understand the important role athletics and recreation play in our community. I have combined my passion for sports and community involvement by helping to organize an annual golf tournament for Drury High School alumni to raise money for the school.

I believe I bring a positive energy and the ability to work with others to go about the business of promoting economic development to provide jobs for our people. As a child of the Greylock section of our city, I understand how important it is to work with neighborhoods to keep us safe and promote neighborhood and community pride.

This year, I have decided to try to become a part of the team to keep North Adams moving forward and that's why I'm announcing my candidacy for the North Adams City Council.

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. — 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