ADAMS, Mass. — Dan Valenti, a local columnist and commentator, recently endorsed Ed MacDonald for state representative from the 1st Berkshire District in "Planet Valenti," a column he writes for The Pittsfield Gazette.

In his column, Valenti writes:

... Ed MacDonald, David Bissaillon and Gail Cariddi. There are no Republican candidates. The victor moves unopposed to November, so this is the de facto finale. The winner will have Dan Bosley's large muck boots to fill. MacDonald, it seems, won't shy away from the inevitable tough votes ahead. His decisions to cut the budget in Adams cost him a post on the select board. You have to admire that kind of political spine. Cariddi, a 20-year veteran of the North Adams City Council, talks about the tough cuts needed to address the state's massive debt. The Planet asked her how this squares with her recent kissy vote for Mayor Dick Alcombright's budget, which places a whopping 10 percent increase on the backs of already bedraggled taxpayers. 'How can the taxpayers trust you?' we asked. She had no answer. Cariddi, carumba. Bissaillon made lots of friends in his years at the Chamber of Commerce, and The Planet likes his private-sector instincts. However, he's a go-along-to-get-along guy, everybody's friend, and analyzes things to death. It's hard to see him making the right kind of noise in Boston. The Planet endorses MacDonald to overturn benches on Beacon Hill.

DALTON, Mass. — Paul Mark, Democratic candidate for state representative in the 2nd Berkshire District, picked up the endorsement of the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts last week. The association boasts 12,000 members across 200 local outfits of the International Association of Firefighters.

“The Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts endorsement demonstrates that my vow to fully fund local aid is vital to ensuring the safety of our communities,” said Mark upon receiving the Firefighters’ endorsement.

The PFFM’s backing rounds out Mark’s endorsements from other public safety trade groups that represent police officers and ambulance workers.

“I’m proud that the public safety professionals who lay themselves on the line every day are also lining up to back me,” Mark added.

Mark has earned more political endorsements than all his opponents combined. A full list of his endorsements is available at www.votepaulmark.com.

DALTON, Mass. — Franklin County Sheriff Frederick B. Macdonald endorsed Tom Szczepaniak on Tuesday for the 2nd Berkshire District state representative seat being vacated by Rep. Denis E. Guyer.

Szczepaniak is running for the Democratic nomination in the representative race.

"Having met Tom numerous times along the campaign trail, I am impressed with his deep level of local government experience and how he has turned his life around," Macdonald said of the Dalton selectman.

Macdonald said that while Szczepaniak has acknowledged problems of alcohol abuse during his youth, his commitment to helping inmates at the Berkshire County House of Correction deal with recovery issues speaks to his compassionate and caring nature.

"Tom is a living model of how people can rehabilitate themselves after tough and trying times and become productive and contributing members of society. His ability to build a thriving small business and to top the ticket on Dalton's municipal ballots for selectman speak to the kind of drive and determination Tom has, qualities which will serve him well on Beacon Hill," Macdonald said.

"Tom's contributions to the mentoring program at BCHC and his willingness to hire ex-offenders and residents of Pittsfield’s homeless shelter for his business help reduce the rate of recidivism and ease the burden and costs on our law enforcement system."

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Sierra Club on Monday endorsed Gail Cariddi of North Adams for the House of Representatives. The district includes Adams, Charlemont, Clarksburg, Florida, Hawley, Heath, Monroe, North Adams, Rowe, Savoy and Williamstown.

"Gail has a sustainable vision toward sustainability," said Phil Sego, Mass. Sierra Club political chairman, in a press release. "Her activities and commitment to environmental issues such as energy conservation and agriculture are examples of the work she'll continue as a legislator, to keep our state's economy, and environment, healthy and safe for the long term."

"I am very pleased to receive this endorsement. If elected, I plan to advocate for our sportsmen, farmers and protection of our working landscapes by seeking a seat on the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture," Cariddi said.

The Sierra Club has endorsed candidates for legislative office across the state, including Cariddi, and three for Congress. These endorsees have shown they will be leaders on pressing environmental issues such as protecting the environment through energy conservation, alternative energy development, transit, toxics reduction and more. In the coming weeks more endorsements will be announced, said officials of the l

"Any time we can recognize environmental leadership we try to do so," said Sego. "Political leadership is as important as ever — we're increasing stress on the waste stream, our water supply, our transportation systems and our public lands while cutting these agencies budgets. Leadership is necessary to keep our environment, and our families, healthy and safe."

For a complete listing of Sierra Club political endorsements, visit www.sierraclubmass.org and click the "politics" link on the left.

The Sierra Club is the nation's oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization dedicated to the preservation, protection, and exploration of the earth’s natural environment. It is noted for its high-profile national positions, and is also deeply rooted in local, regional and statewide issues. Its endorsement process includes in-depth research and careful analysis of a questionnaire designed specifically to address local environmental issues, according to the club. The club's endorsement is then communicated to its members, which currently number greater than 25,000 statewide.

DALTON, Mass. — Paul Mark, Democratic candidate for state representative in the Second Berkshire district, has received the endorsement of the Massachusetts chapter of the National Organization for Women.

Mass. NOW, founded in 1966, is the only multi-issue feminist organization in the state, which advocates for the rights of women and girls in Massachusetts. Their legislative priorities include ending violence against women, moving women out of poverty, reproductive freedom, civil rights for all people, and support for an adequate supply of affordable housing.

“The Mass NOW PAC is thrilled to endorse Paul Mark for State Representative,” said Christina Knowles, State Director for the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Organization for Women. “As an advocate for labor and civil rights, Paul has shown his commitment to the issues that Mass NOW cares about and works on.  Paul has the leadership and experience needed to be an effective legislator, and we look forward to electing him to the State House.”

“A NOW endorsement signals that I’m the most ardent defender of issues of concern for women,” said Mark upon receiving the NOW endorsement. “Ensuring parity in pay, supporting reproductive health and freedom, and combating human trafficking— these are all real concerns in women’s
lives which I will immediately tackle in the legislature.”

Mass. NOW is a member group in the progressive coalition MassAlliance, which has also endorsed Mark and trained his campaign staff. Other supporting MassAlliance groups include the Mass Teachers Association, the UAW and the Service Employees International Union locals 509 and 1199, which represent human service providers, health care workers, and college staff.

In all, Mark has received endorsements from 23 diverse political and trade groups including nurses, police officers, ambulance workers, truck drivers and a variety of building trades. He has earned more political endorsements than all his opponents combined. A full list of Mark’s endorsements is at www.votepaulmark.com.