Letter: Leigh Davis Is the Right Candidate

To the Editor:

There is not wrong choice in the upcoming election. Absolutely no one steps into a local or state election who does not genuinely want to make a difference. I firmly believe that all candidates running have our best interests at heart, regardless of party or platform.

That being said, there is a RIGHT choice, and that choice can only be Leigh Davis.

Leigh understands small towns and small business alike. Leigh Davis was on the other end of the very first phone call I received after the announcement of the closure of the Division Street bridge, pledging her support and resources to help keep Taft Farms from closing. From the moment of that phone call and throughout the next several years, all the way through the COVID epidemic, Leigh was a constant voice of support to help our small business survive, and I know I am not alone.

I am a lifelong member of Great Barrington and Housatonic. I consider everyone a neighbor and always have. I remember growing up when our well would run dry in the summer, running a hose from the neighbor’s house next door to get us by until the next rain. Which is why when my neighbors in Housatonic needed some water, we stepped in to offer our well.

Leigh has been, and continues to be, the only candidate running who has tried to make this situation better, even touring our farm and artesian well (which has been labeled as a possible future town water source). She is eager to take up that fight at the state level to help bring safe clean water to our neighborhood.

Over the years and her time on the Select Board, Leigh has sought out the opinions of community members and community leaders to address issues like housing, addiction and recovery, and employment levels. Rather than simply stating her opinions, she seeks out voices to be heard and genuinely listens to them before making a decision.

Now, when people disagree, and a decision has to be made, someone will always be left unhappy and the unhappy are always the loudest. But making a decision and taking a stand are what I want in a candidate, in a leader. And those qualities in Leigh are why Leigh is the right choice in this election.

Paul Kenneth Tawczynski
Great Barrington, Mass. 

Guest Column: An Honor to Serve

By Smitty PignatelliGuest Column
01:21PM / Friday, December 20, 2024

As I reflect on the past 22 years serving as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, I do so with immense pride and gratitude. Together with my colleagues, I have had the privilege of contributing to landmark legislation that has defined our commonwealth, from marriage equality to health care for all — both of which became national models. 

 

I've worked on major environmental, economic development, and housing bond bills that continue to benefit the Berkshires and will for years to come.

 

Of course, none of this was accomplished single-handedly. The legislative process is a team effort, and I have been fortunate to serve alongside dedicated colleagues who have always put the interests of Massachusetts first. When I first entered the House, I thought I knew a lot, having spent years in local and county government. But I quickly realized I had much more to learn. I was lucky to have the guidance and support of Reps. Peter Larkin, Dan Bosley and the entire Berkshire delegation, who took me under their wing and set me on the right path. I was proud to team up with them 20 years ago to create the first in the nation Cultural Facilities Fund that has delivered hundreds of millions of dollars to our local economy. 

 

Throughout my tenure, we've faced the ups and downs of local, state, and global economies. Yet I've always believed that when we work together, no challenge is insurmountable. The 22 communities I have represented over the years have demonstrated time and again the power of collaboration to make the Berkshires — and what I like to call "BesternMass" — a thriving, vibrant region.

 

The State House is steeped in tradition, with its formal titles and protocols: "Representative this" or "Chairperson that." But I've always reminded my team that while my job may be important, I never felt important. I entered the House as Smitty, and I'm proud to leave it the same way — simply Smitty.

 

Growing up, politics in my household was never a dirty word, and politicians were not seen as bad people. Those early lessons grounded me in the belief that public service is about representing the needs of others, not yourself. I've carried that belief with me every day in the House, never forgetting where I came from or the people I was there to serve. Representing the 4th (now 3rd) Berkshire District — my home — has been the greatest honor of my life. I wasn't always successful, but I gave my best every single day. After nearly 50 years in public service, I retire as a public servant, not a politician.

 

One of my greatest concerns is that public office today risks becoming more about "self-service" than "public service." We need people at all levels to stay engaged, hold public officials accountable, and demand better. I've always set a high bar for myself and those around me. I've never been afraid to admit failure or celebrate shared success, and I've tried each day to lead with the same passion, vision, and integrity my family instilled in me.