Letter: Alex Blumin for City Council

Letter to the Editor02:00PM / Wednesday, September 13, 2023Print Story | Email Story

To the Editor: I am excited to endorse Mr. Alex Blumin for Ward 2 City Council. When we elect Mr. Blumin, we continue Ward 2's tradition of self-governance. We consistently choose the independent voice to represent our interests. We have a tradition of preserving a philosophy of reasonable inquiry of elected officials, and we demand responsible financial governance.

Ward 2 awaits the city's fulfillment of its promises to complete roadwork and fix abandoned homes. Mr. Blumin will push the city to achieve these promises. The mayor aggressively hiked water and sewer rates twice in the last two years, and she promised more increases. Ward 2 residents worry about the ever-expanding city budget they are forced to fund. Alex Blumin shares your worries and will fight for responsible budgets. Mr. Blumin will continue to promote reducing your taxes and reducing water rates by using your tax dollars locked in free cash and the cannabis reserves.

City Hall spending lacks transparency. The next councilor will see the $41 million in ARPA funds spent down. The ARPA Advisory Committee meets in secret and spends money on projects that do not appear to benefit Ward 2. The City Council has not had any input on a single dollar spent. Mr. Blumin would dare to ask the hard questions: What did the ARPA Committee discuss in their secret meetings? Pittsfield Economic Development Authority (PEDA) has new funding coming up. Will it support the destitute business environment in Pittsfield and Ward 2? Mr. Blumin will insist that it does.

When Mr. Blumin whispered "corruption" in his debate, he dared to state a fact of our government that many councilors privately discuss. I saw a man display his love and admiration for our legal traditions and institutions. You saw his courage to hold our leaders to high standards and principles.

Mr. Blumin has a long involvement in city politics, and the time is now for him to lead. He has the intelligence and courage to do the job. Ward 2, you must turn out on Sept. 19, and I strongly urge you to vote for Alex Blumin for your councilor.

Charles Kronick
Pittsfield, Mass.

Charles Kronick is the current Ward 2 councilor and is not running for re-election.

Tags: election 2023, endorsement, municipal election,

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Score! Pittsfield's 'Mini-Pitch' is Ready for Goals

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
06:00PM / Thursday, September 17, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The city now has a "mini-pitch" soccer field at Crane Park, placed over the longtime rink that had seen better days.

"I think it's a real improvement," Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath said, pointing to social media comments believing the city took away inline skating.

"Well, we didn't do that. The surface can accept rollerblades. In fact, as soon as this was constructed and we sort of said it's open, the first one to show up was a gentleman with rollerblades and a hockey stick. He skated around and loved it."

The Parks Commission saw pictures of the completed field on Tuesday.

Fueling excitement around the World Cup, U.S. Soccer worked with the Massachusetts Youth Soccer League to make these facilities available to 20 communities — one at the park at the intersection of Benedict Road and Springside Avenue.

The project was funded entirely by grants. In June, the City Council accepted the gift of a "mini-pitch" facility, valued at over $100,000, and $10,000 from the Mill Town Foundation to ready the site.

Boards framing the former rink were removed, and this system was installed in a couple of days about a week and a half ago. The mini-pitch's click-together sports tile floor is bordered by a galvanized steel system with two goals, benches, and storage containers.

"Folks can really play lacrosse in there; they can play in-line hockey in there, and of course soccer is ready to go as well," McGrath said.

"We're trying to continue with this multi-sport approach here at this park, but with a much upgraded piece of infrastructure going behind it."

The mini pitch system came with a light tower and two LED lamps, but Crane Park does not have power, and it won't be illuminated.

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