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Shein Challenges Neal on Campaign Statements
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Shein took issue with remarks made by the incumbent 2nd Massachusetts U.S. representative in two interviews that aired on Friday, one on WGBY public television and one on WAMC public radio.
During an interview on WGBY's "Connecting Point," Neal stated that both Shein and Andrea F. Nuciforo Jr., Middle Berkshire register of deeds, first entered the race against retiring U.S. Rep. John W. Olver.
The three men are vying for the Democrat nomination to fill Olver's seat in the Sept. 6 primary. With no other challenger, the primary will determine the outcome of the November election.
"These candidacies were based upon John Olver being the congressman," said Neal, of Springfield. "I frankly think John did a terrific job in the 1st Congressional District, and the decision that was rendered to challenge John Olver escapes me. Only to discover that they were then placed in a Hampden County-based congressional district."
Though Nuciforo indicated his intention in 2008 to run for Congress in the Berkshires this year, Shein first announced his intent to run on Monday, Jan. 16, of this year.
Olver announced in October 2011 that he would retire at the end of his 10th term.
The state Legislature voted in November to redraw the districts in a way that merged parts of the former 1st District with Neal's home territory in the 2nd District and reduced the number of congressional districts from 10 to nine.
"I decided to run after realizing that Western Massachusetts was in danger of no longer having a bold, outspoken progressive voice in the Congress next January," said Shein in a statement over the weekend,
"someone who champions fixes to our democracy, fairness in our economy, and urgent action on climate change and other environmental issues."
Olver, citing Neal as "a great friend and partner in the House," endorsed him in his run for the newly redrawn district in February.
Shein also objected to another statement by Neal, which aired on WAMC on Friday, regarding how his campaign is financed.
"The fundraising that I've done is very similar to President Obama, Senator Kerry, and Elizabeth Warren, and much of the rest of the congressional delegation in Massachusetts," Neal told WAMC, in regards to ongoing discussions about the role of money in this election.
"President Obama's campaign committee does not accept a single penny from political action committees or registered lobbyists," responded Shein in a statement. "By comparison, Rep. Neal raises most of his money from PACs and lobbyists, and regularly attends fundraisers thrown specifically for him by corporate lobbyists."
Regarding comparison to Warren's campaign against incumbent Scott Brown for U.S. Senate, Shein says "only 2 percent of Elizabeth Warren's $15.8 million raised has come from PACs — and just 11 percent of her small total of PAC contributions are from corporate interests. By comparison, in this cycle, Rep. Neal has raised fully 76 percent of his money from PACs, with an eye-popping 94 percent [of this portion] from big corporate PACs."
Representatives for Neal reached on Tuesday declined to comment on Shein's statements.
Money has been an issue of heated debate throughout the last few months of campaign talk surrounding this congressional race. All three candidates on the ballot released campaign financing reports for the first quarter of 2012 in late April, demonstrating a continued considerable lead in funds for Neal over his two
opponents.
Neal raised a total of $122,875 between January and March, compared to $42,493 for Nuciforo and $11,235 for Shein, but the latter candidates pointed to distinctions in the breakdown of income. A majority ($101,250) of Neal's quarterly gain came from committees and PACs, from whom his opponents say they will not accept contributions.
Nuciforo pointed out that he outraised Neal 2 to 1 in individual contributions, while Shein, who only accepts donations of $99 or less, touted his more than $11,000 in unitemized individual contributions (under $200) over Neal's $4,125 in this small donation category.
Neal Sharing Campaign Offices With Warren, Downing
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While both offices belong to Neal, Elizabeth Warren's campaign for U.S. Senate, the Massachusetts Democratic Party and Benjamin B. Downing's campaign for state Senate will operate out of Neal's headquarters.
"As we have seen in the past, Democrats are successful when we work together to achieve common goals," said Neal, currently the representative for the 2nd Mass District. "Once I established the locations for my regional campaign headquarters I knew offering Elizabeth Warren, the Massachusetts Democratic Party, and Senator Downing the opportunity to join my Springfield and Pittsfield offices would be beneficial to Democrats of the First Congressional District. I look forward to working closely with Elizabeth and continuing the close relationship I have shared with Ben and the Massachusetts Democratic Party."
Neal is running for the Democratic nomination for representative. Part of his current district will be merged with the 1st Mass Distrit beginning in January 2013. Warren is challenging the sitting Republican incumbent for the Senate seat. Downing is running for his fourth term in the state Senate representing communities in Western Massachusetts.
"I'm excited to be opening offices in Springfield and Pittsfield and to continue meeting people throughout Western Massachusetts," said Warren. "I look forward to working with Congressman Neal to address the unique challenges facing the region and to level the playing field for middle class families across the commonwealth."
"It's great to see the grassroots excitement and organizing that Democrats are committed to across Massachusetts," said Downing, who previously served as an intern in Neal's Washington congressional office. "I'm looking forward to working with the Mass Democratic Party, Congressman Neal, and Elizabeth Warren to make sure the Berkshires help elect leaders committed to fighting for the middle class."
Neal's regional campaign headquarters are both situated in residential areas with high traffic. While the Pittsfield office is a short distance from the downtown business district, the Springfield office is located in the heart of the East Forest Park neighborhood that was decimated during last year's June 1st tornado.
"Winning campaigns are fueled by volunteers with the buzz and excitement created through an active headquarters," Neal said. "We are fortunate to have campaign offices in prime locations that will enable our volunteers to mobilize and organize effectively."
Clarksburg Elects New School Committee Member
 Toting up the votes at Clarksburg Senior Center on Tuesday. |
Some 285 voters turned out to for the polls in Tuesday's annual town election. The only races were a two-way for a three-year seat on the School Committee and a three-way battle to complete the final year of a three-year term on the Selectmen.
The biggest shakeup was on the School Committee. John Solari, a retired Drury High School principal polled 150 votes to David Berger's 120. Berger, who works at Williams College, has served on the board for 18 years. Solari, who has spent some 35 years in education, retired in 2006 but still works part-time in tutoring.
Debra LeFave's comeback attempt to finish out her term on the Board of Selectmen came to naught as longtime colleague Carl McKinney won the one-year term with 127 votes. Lefave, who served with McKinney for more than a decade on the board, quit to pursue the town administrator's post, later withdrawing her name from consideration.
McKinney won with 126 votes; Gary Bellows, an engineering technician, polled 85 votes and Lefave, 65.
Jeffrey Levanos, owner of Jack's Hot Dog Stand in North Adams, easily earned 256 votes running unopposed. Levanos will also continue on the School Committee to finish out his second two-year term on that board.
All other posts on the ballot were unopposed and no seat was left vacant, said Town Clerk Carol Jammalo. However, there were a lot blanks and more single write-ins than usual. In some cases, voters checked two candidates for the one-year term on the selectmen, canceling out both their votes.
Jammalo described the turnout, at about 28 percent, as good. "It's one of the biggest ones we've had," she said.
Lenox Decides Selectmen, School Committee Races
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In a five-way race for two three-year seats on the Board of Selectmen, Edward Lane (760) and Channing Gibson (562) bested David W. Berkel (332), Jedd L. Hall (195) and Carolyn L. Barry (134). There was one write-in.
Frances E. Sorrentino (829) and Jennifer S. Reinholt (530) won the two three-year seats on the School Committee over Jo Anne H. Magee (450) and Nora O'Brien (268); and Kathleen McNulty-Vaughan easily won the three-year seat on the Planning Board, polling 734 votes to Mark D. Woodward's 170.
Winning uncontested races were Hugh C. Cowhig, moderator, 787 votes; Marie V. Feder, Board of Health, 748; Scott M. Pignatelli, assessor, 859; and Marjorie J. Pero, one year of an unexpired term on the Housing Authority, 844.
Harrington; Duval Win Selectmen Seats In Adams
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 Top: Longtime School Committee member John Duval was the second highest voter getting in Monday's election and will join the Board of Selectmen.Right and Bottom: Arthur "Skip" Harrington was re-elected for the board. |
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Duval edged out former Selectmen Edward Driscoll by only 61 votes while Harrington ran away with re-election by winning every precinct.
The final totals were Harrington with 851; Duval with 565; Driscoll with 504; Richard Blanchard with 470 and Jeremy Halek with 341. A total of 1,470 of the 5,826 registered voters — about 25 percent — made it to the polls.
The five candidates were vying for two three-year seats. Selectman Jason Hnatonko did not run for re-election.
For Duval, he is looking forward to the change from his last 17 years on the Adams-Cheshire Regional School Committee.
"I look forward to working with the board," Duval said. "I'm just humbled for the support I've received."
The election did not come without worry as he led Driscoll by only 44 votes after four of the five precincts were reported. Harrington, who campaigned heavily on what he believes are successes of the last three years, said he was confident that he would be re-elected.
"I am a little disappointed there wasn't more of a turnout," Harrington said. "I think John [Duval] is a good addition to the board and I am glad to be back for another three years."
The only other contested race was for moderator and Joseph R. Dean Jr. won re-election over Ryan Biros by a margin of 937-477.
The uncontested races were: Haley Meczywor for town clerk; Donna MacDonald for assessor; Patricia Clairmont for Board of Health; James Loughman and Eugene Michalenko for library trustees, James Fassell for Parks Commission; Sandra Moderski for Planning Board; Aaron Dean for the Northern Berkshire Vocational School District and Stephen Vigna for the Adams-Cheshire Regional School Committee.
State Election