Persip Focuses on Economic Development, COVID Recovery in Council Re-Election Bid

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Councilor at Large Earl Persip III has announced he will be running for his third two-year term.  

"I wanted to re-run because It comes down to one thing," he said last week. "I believe in Pittsfield, and I believe we're moving in a positive direction. And I want to keep that momentum. And I want to be part of that momentum. And I want to be a voice in how we move forward."

The councilor's announcement come after the decisions of three of his colleagues not to run: Ward 2 Councilor Kevin Morandi, Ward 4 Councilor Chris Connell, and Ward 3 Councilor Nicholas Caccamo announced early this year that they would not seek re-election.

With a full-time career as director of facilities at The Mount in Lenox and a new addition to his family, Persip said he wanted to make sure that it would be a realistic commitment.

The Pittsfield native is a descendant of one of the city's most notable African American families. Alfred K. Persip was the first African American in Berkshire County to enlist at the start of World War I, followed by his brothers John and Charles, for whom the American Legion Post 68 on Wendell Avenue is named. Persip Park on North Street was dedicated to the family in 1983.

Growing up on the West Side and splitting time between parents on Linden Street and John Street, Persip became a part of the local workforce by working a summer job at the YMCA. Eventually, he was promoted to operations director where he was in charge of up to a $2.2 million budget.

Considering all of his time spent in the city of Pittsfield, Persip wouldn't rather be anywhere else.

"I think Pittsfield is like one of the best places," he said. "You know, we have our issues and things, but I mean, one of the best places to live and raise a family. And I believe that 100 percent."

Persip first ran for council four years ago because the ward representatives at the time "all looked the same" through no fault of themselves and he wanted to make sure that all voices were represented in the panel.

"I don't want to step backwards," he said. "I think we moved a positive direction and there's different voices on the council, and I want to make sure I'm on there and can give my input.

Pittsfield Celebrates Century-Old Red Oak on Arbor Day

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
06:13PM / Thursday, April 24, 2025

The Rev. Michael Denton says the world needs more 'rootedness' and that the oak has provided shade for many in need over the years. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city celebrated Arbor Day with a birthday party for a 100-year-old red oak tree outside United Church of Christ.

This included a cake and singing "Happy Birthday" to the stately organism that challenges the height of the adjacent buildings.

"The thing that always amazes me about trees is that when you look at the network of branches above it, that same thing is mimicked in the ground underneath it. When I think about that, it amazes me," the Rev. Miichael Denton said to a crowd in the church's yard.

"So when you look up at this, underneath us are even more intricate weavings of branches and roots that support what this tree does. As we look at these times and these days, we recognize that this world needs more of that rootedness. It needs to recognize those things that happen above and those things that happen below as we work in concert with each other, recognize that this planet that we live on is fragile, recognize that the planet that we live on needs our help, and by helping out this planet, we help out ourselves."

Most of the buildings at 110 South St. are more than 100 years old, and the tree was likely planted as a celebration of that work. It now stands about 75 feet tall.

"We don't know for sure, but what we do know is that this shade, this tree, has given shade to many of those who needed it," Denton said.

"This tree has given a quiet place for people to sit. This tree has helped keep this section of South Street green and beautiful."

Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Program Manager James McGrath explained that while the city didn't plant a tree for Arbor Day, which is Friday, "We are doing a heck of a lot of tree planting." 

In the coming weeks, there will be 40 trees planted in a neighborhood off Elm Street, and additional trees will be planted as part of a volunteer effort with students from Wahconah Regional High School.