Letter: Alex Blumin for City Council

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.

Car Crashes Into Main Street Home in Lenox

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:12PM / Friday, July 10, 2026

The Fire Department an ambulance responded to the incident but no one was hurt; traffic was slowed but not detoured. 

LENOX, Mass. — A sport utility vehicle veered off Main Street, traveled through some greenery, and struck the front of a historical home on Friday afternoon, toppling its porch pillar.

No injuries were reported, and the cause is unknown and under investigation. The house at 73 Main St., will need repairs to its front step, and the vehicle, a Lexus crossover,  incurred serious damage to its front end. 

Around 12:30 p.m., the Police and Fire departments received a call for a car into a building, with someone trapped in the vehicle. Upon arrival, they saw that the driver couldn't get out of the car because the driver's door was pressed against the house. 

"The driver was unhurt. He was actually able to crawl over the center console and sit in the passenger seat when we got here," Fire Chief Robert Casucci said a little after 1 p.m. 

"Unhurt, refused treatment or transport to the hospital. We're basically just standing by until the car is removed from the building." 

He reported that the Lexus did come into contact with another vehicle on the road, but there were no injuries from the incident.

Main Street remained open during the investigation and removal of the Lexus. Casucci said traffic slowed a little with congestion from first responder vehicles, but was moving again pretty quickly. 

"Just typical Friday afternoon traffic at Lenox," he said.