Election 2009: Building Council Backs Bianchi

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mayoral candidate Dan Bianchi has received the unanimous endorsement of the Berkshire County Building & Construction Trades Council.

The Berkshire County Building & Construction Trades represents thousands of workers throughout the area and includes members from trades such as electricians, carpenters, laborers, pipe fitters, iron workers, asbestos workers and operating engineers. The union feels that there needs to be a change in the direction of the city and a change in city leadership.

"The working class wants to be involved with city government. We want to be listened to and heard. We just want to be treated fairly and have a seat at the table," said Mike Filpi, treasurer of the Laborers Local 473.

The union cited growing concerns over the development of the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority site, fairness and openness in city government, and crime as reasons the city needed a change and why they were endorsing Bianchi.

"I grew up in the city. We used to be able to leave our doors open and not have to worry about a thing, but those times have changed. Pittsfield is a great place to raise a family but the crime these days is changing all of that," said another union member. "Bianchi is a hero of Pittsfield and a voice for the Berkshire County Building Trades. He has what it takes to move Pittsfield forward in the right direction."

Above all else the union feels that Bianchi is a proven leader who has the experience to take Pittsfield in a new direction and make the necessary changes to city government that will make it open, transparent, fair, accountable and inclusive.

For more information on Councilor Bianchi's campaign, visit the Web site at www.votebianchi.com or by call our campaign office at 413-442-2555.

Submitted by the Campaign to Elect Dan Bianchi
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Letter: Is the Select Board Listening to Dalton Voters?

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

A reasonable expectation by the people of a community is that their Select Board rises above personal preference and represents the collective interests of the community. On Tuesday night [Nov. 12], what occurred is reason for concern that might not be true in Dalton.

This all began when a Select Board member submitted his resignation effective Oct. 1 to the Town Clerk. Wishing to fill the vacated Select Board seat, in good faith I followed the state law, prepared a petition, and collected the required 200-plus signatures of which the Town Clerk certified 223. The Town Manager, who already had a copy of the Select Board member's resignation, was notified of the certified petitions the following day. All required steps had been completed.

Or had they? At the Oct. 9 Select Board meeting when Board members discussed the submitted petition, there was no mention about how they were informed of the petition or that they had not seen the resignation letter. Then a month later at the Nov. 12 Select Board meeting we learn that providing the resignation letter and certified petitions to the Town Manager was insufficient. However, by informing the Town Manager back in October the Select Board had been informed. Thus, the contentions raised at the Nov. 12 meeting by John Boyle seem like a thinly veiled attempt to delay a decision until the end of January deadline to have a special election has passed.

If this is happening with the Special Election, can we realistically hope that the present Board will listen to the call by residents to halt the rapid increases in spending and our taxes that have been occurring the last few years and pass a level-funded budget for next year, or to not harness the taxpayers in town with the majority of the cost for a new police station? I am sure these issues are of concern to many in town. However, to make a change many people need to speak up.

Please reach out to a Select Board member and let them know you are concerned and want the Special Election issue addressed and finalized at their Nov. 25 meeting.

Robert E.W. Collins
Dalton, Mass.

 

 

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