DALTON, Mass. — Paul Mark, Democratic candidate for state representative in the 2nd Berkshire District, has proposed a pair of initiatives aimed at drawing greater attention to Western Mass and providing highly personalized constituent services.

The first is Mark's "Better Know A District" initiative, in which he vows to invite eastern Massachusetts legislators to his district during his first term. Mark contends that, rather than simply exclaiming that eastern Massachusetts forgets about the western part of the state, "I will be proactive about educating my Statehouse colleagues about our way of life."

Mark has indicated several places he wishes to host colleagues to discuss the district's often-forgotten needs, including: farms throughout the district, Crane Paper Company in Dalton,  tourist attractions in Shelburne Falls, the Schell Bridge in Northfield and meetings with local school officials to examine regional school concerns.

“For example, when it comes time to reauthorize the Dairy Farm Revitalization Act, I’ll be able to remind my colleagues about the time they visited a dairy farm with me.”

Paul Mark's other proposed program is his "Constituent Canvass" which he will run next summer, if elected. Mark has said he will canvass door-to-door and "bring his office straight to the voters." Given the size of his rural district – the largest in the state – Mark feels that
having one single district office is inadequate to serve constituents. "No matter where a district office might be placed, it would still take other constituents at least an hour to drive there," Mark
contends.

"Holding roving office hours throughout the district makes sense in the winter," said campaign spokesperson Steve Hoeschele, "but in the warmer months, Paul wants to provide superior constituent service at the door, in addition to holding roving office hours. This would help
reach out to people who might be shy or unsure of the process of talking with public officials."

"On campaigns, the candidates are always asking voters for help: asking for votes, to put up lawn signs, to contribute money. But if I'm elected as state rep, I want to show up at constituents' doors and ask them how I can help them." Mark will hire an aide with the
intention of performing such outreach as well.

Mark chalks up his "Constituent Canvass" idea to his dedication to being present in all parts of his district. "I'm very used to putting in long hours and driving, so this large district is absolutely cut out for me," he said. Mark commuted from Hancock on the New York border to Amherst and Boston to earn his college degrees, while working full time.

"I'm not going to rest easy if I get elected," Mark added. "That's when the real work starts."

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Daniel E. Bosley, candidate for Berkshire County sheriff, has released more details on his plans for expanded reentry programs for inmates.

"It is important," said the candidate, "that we become proactive on following inmates back to the community to ensure that they stick with their reintegration programs. Inmates need to have a place that they can call if they have questions and they need to know that people are watching to make sure they stay on the plan designed for them."

Bosley commented that the average sentence served in a House of Correction is approximately nine months. He said that, "On the day an offender walks into the jail we need to start preparing them for the day they leave. That means an individual plan for rehabilitation tailored to each inmate."

Bosley said those nine months, however, are not enough time to fully rehabilitate an inmate. The candidate said that is why his re-entry plans are so important. "If punishment alone worked, no one would re-offend. However, we know that some inmates come back again and again. It is important to continue to follow them as they leave the House of Correction in order to give them the best chance to stay out and not re-offend."

Bosley outlined plans to work closely with probation, parole, community corrections and local services in order to maximize efforts while avoiding duplication. "If we wish to be successful in returning people to our communities, we need to provide more than a plan. We need to keep in touch, coordinate our efforts with other services in the community and proactively follow people through the re-entry process in order to ensure that they continue their plan. If we can stop people from re-offending, we make ourselves safer, more secure and save the system the expense of incarcerating that inmate again and again."

Bosley said he would convene monthly round table meetings with all of the participating agencies to track re-entry and discuss individual treatment plans and challenges.

Bosley said that part of his plan is to be active in neighborhoods throughout the county in order to develop programs that have a positive effect on the community as well as for the inmates. "This is all about taking ownership of a community as most citizens do. It is about developing a sense of community and responsibility," he said.

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.

To the Editor:

In an ideal world the position of sheriff of Berkshire County would require that applicants apply and the most qualified person would be selected for the position.

Fortunately, we do have a candidate in Tom Bowler, who clearly would be the most qualified applicant regardless of the process. His background in law enforcement and public service makes him the prime candidate to be our next sheriff.

Please mark Tuesday, Sept. 14, on your calendar because this is a primary race and the winner will be decided on this date. Please join me and cast your vote for Tom Bowler, sheriff.

Lorraine Robinson
Adams                     

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."