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Nuciforo Bus Tour Kicks Off Campaign |
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By Joe Durwin On: 01:16PM / Thursday February 09, 2012 |
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Andrea F. Nuciforo Jr. formally kicked off his run for Congress on Wednesday with a bus tour through the 1st Mass district and a rally in Pittsfield. |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Former state senator and U.S. House hopeful Andrea F. Nuciforo Jr. at long last "formally" declared his candidacy for the 1st Massachusetts District in a five-stop, nearly 12-hour tour that began in Holyoke on Wednesday morning.
The candidate's excursion ended in his hometown of Pittsfield with the bus rolling up to Mazzeo's North just before 6:30, where a crowd of about a 100 people gathered to hear what he had to say.
In his address there, Nuciforo appealled to supporters as the candidate of "middle and working class people," in a speech centered around popular national themes of economic strife and general disatisfactions with Congress.
"The economy has been rigged against ordinary people ... Washington politicians of both parties have allowed a few individuals and corporations to increase their wealth and political power at the expense of everyone else."
"We need a break from the past, and a new set of eyes to look at things differently."
Nuciforo, currently Middle Berkshire register of deeds, listed key elderly issues as one of his top priorities, and pledged support to Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and the Veterans Administration.
"I will fight any effort to defund or privatize or blow up or compromise any of these important programs," said the aspiring congressman, who has drawn fire in the past for the level of funding received from insurance companies and a perceived pro-insurance stance in past legislative issues.
Secondly he called for a closer examination of the 2008 economic collapse.
"We need accountability for those, both in Washington and on Wall Street, that drove this economy into a ditch in 2008. We need to understand what happened: the deregulation of the financial market, the big influence of big money on Washington. We need to understand precisely what happened and who made that happen."
Corporate money and anti-incumbent sentiments have been a major theme for both of the Berkshire-based Democratic contenders for the redrawn 1st Massachusetts District, in a race that will pit them against 10-term U.S. Rep. Richard Neal of Springfield, whose popular base and funding currently far exceeds that of the other candidates.
Bill Shein, who announced in mid-January he will also seek the congressional seat, questioned the former state senator's credibility as the best voice for these issues.
"We're not going to make real progress on jobs, economic fairness, or any other pressing issue by replacing one typical politician with another typical politician," he said.
Shein said in a statement that he has been consistently advocating for years the kind of political change that Nuciforo has invoked in his opening campaign speeches.
"As a candidate for Congress I continue to say precisely the same things and promote the same ideas I always have. I didn't craft a new message or political persona to fit the public mood. Because that’s old way of politics, and we need a new way."
Several proponents of Richard Neal in attendance at Wednesday's Nuciforo campaign rally expressed similar sentiments to iBerkshires, saying that while they thought that both of the Berkshire challengers have raised points they agree with, Neal offers the kind of experience in national and international matters and political ability that will be needed if real legislative change is to move forward.
Neal supporters pointed to various organizations' rating systems to suggest that Neal is among the more "progressive" of the current crop of incumbent legislators. Various groups and scaling systems have rated Neal as anywhere from 47 percent to 95 percent.
The Democratic nominee will be decided in a Sept. 6 party primary held on the unusual day of Thursday.
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Former City Clerk Trying for Register of Deeds |
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Staff Reports On: 10:24PM / Tuesday February 07, 2012 |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Former Pittsfield City Clerk Jody Phillips will to take out nomination papers on Wednesday, Feb. 8, for register of deeds for the Berkshire Middle District.
"With my background as the former city clerk and work in law firms, I understand the importance of the register's position and I believe I would bring a unique and valuable skill set to that office," said Phillips in a statement announcing her run. "On a personal note, I am looking forward to the opportunity to return to public service, something which I truly enjoyed."
Current Register Andrea F. Nuciforo Jr. is running for Congress this year.
Phillips left office in 2008 to join General Dynamics, where she has been employed since 2009. She flirted with the idea of challenging her replacement, Linda Tyer, in 2009 but backed out at the last minute.
She said she is well suited for the post of register because of her municipal and business experience.
"I believe that I am a great fit for this job. Over the next months, I look forward to going door to door and doing the work necessary so that the voters believe that as well," said Phillips.
She expects to take out nomination papers from the Voters Office in City Hall at 1 p.m. on Wednesday.
The Middle District encompasses Pittsfield, Becket, Dalton, Hinsdale, Lee, Lenox, Otis, Peru, Richmond, Stockbridge, Tyringham and Washington, with its offices in Pittsfield.
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Nuciforo Making District Tour to Announce for House |
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On: 06:28PM / Friday February 03, 2012 |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Andrea F. Nuciforo Jr. will formally announce his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for U.S. House of Representatives in the newly-drawn 1st Massachusetts District during a tour of the district next week.
The tour takes place on Wednesday, Feb. 8, with the first press conference at 9:15 in Holyoke.
The Central Berkshire register of deeds and former Pittsfield state senator announced his intention to run for the House seat more than two years ago.
The new district encompasses most of far Western Massaschusetts, including the Berkshires, and the Springfield area. Current U.S. Rep. John W. Olver of Amherst will retire at the end of this term.
Nuciforo, along with friends, family, and supporters, will start the day in Pittsfield, and travel to Holyoke, Southbridge, Easthampton and Charlemont for formal press conferences. The tour will wind up with a campaign kick-off rally and party at the Winter Street Mazzeo's Ristorante in his hometown of Pittsfield.
The schedule:
- 9:15 a.m.: Mill 1 Open Square, Open Square Way, Holyoke
- 11:30 a.m.: Pilsudski Polish American Citizens Club, 18 Ballard Court, Southbridge
- 2 p.m.: Sunrise Manor Community Room, 17 Paradise Drive, Easthampton
- 4:15 p.m.: Warfield House Inn, 200 Warfield Road, Charlemont
- 6:30 p.m.: Campaign Rally, Party and Press Conference, Mazzeo's Ristorante, 7 Winter St., Pittsfield
The public and press are invited to attend all events.
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Mayoral Candidate Boucher Shares Views On School Buildings |
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Boucher Campaign On: 12:55PM / Wednesday October 12, 2011 |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Over the next few weeks, mayoral candidate Ron Boucher will be sharing his position regarding the important issues facing the city on a weekly basis. This week will focus on his position concerning the proposed building of one or two new schools.
"I strongly endorse the neighborhood school concept currently employed in our community. As a parent and grandparent myself, there is a certain level of comfort you feel when sending your child off to school in your own neighborhood. That feeling needs to continue. I do not believe the city is currently in the financial position to fund a new school, or schools, as proposed by the School Committee, chaired by the mayor. Chances are good that the [state School Building Authority] will not pass the two school option and I believe a Debt Exclusion vote would face a similar fate as the Proposition 2.5 override," Boucher said.
"Instead the city should invest money to temporarily fix the current Greylock and Sullivan buildings, to keep our children in neighborhood schools. My plan for the future would be, once the Drury and Brayton debts are paid, to replace one school, and only then if we can absorb the cost in our budget, so a Debt Exclusion vote would not be needed. Finally I would like to add that it is not the building, but rather the teachers and curriculum that make up an excellent school system."
You can learn more about Ron Boucher, his campaign and views by visiting his website at www.VoteBoucher2011.com. Inquiries can be mailed to VoteBoucher2011@yahoo.com.
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Roach Announces Candidacy for City Council |
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Roach Campaign On: 09:59AM / Monday October 03, 2011 |
 NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Gregory Roach has announced his candidacy for City Council.
To the voters of North Adams,
Two years ago over 1,200 of you gave me your vote when I ran for City Council. To say that I am honored that so many of my neighbors thought that I had something to offer the city is an understatement. Thank you.
This year, I am humbly asking for your vote again. I still believe that the core issues that make up North Adams' challenges relate directly to our ability to provide the best education we can for our children; strengthen neighborhoods for families and seniors with policies that address housing and poverty; and ultimately create jobs by expanding and attracting people to our city’s middle class and the businesses that go hand in hand.
Schools, Neighborhoods and Commerce: A simple but not so easy recipe that will take time and patience to foster.
I am a father, husband, writer and a chef. My journeys have taken me from Detroit, through the University of Michigan and the Culinary Institute of America, to Minnesota and Nebraska, then to the Pacific Northwest, and finally to the place I've proudly called home for the past eight years and most certainly will for decades to come, North Adams.
You have my word that I will work hard and honestly and I will give every side of an issue a fair hearing. My business, finance and policy experience will serve the city well in finding creative ways to balance budgets, solve problems and create opportunities. I believe in good governance with a balanced fiscal approach that is accountable to the people it serves. Sometimes we may not agree, but I will always take the time to explain my positions respectfully and with consideration. I will not shout but I will stand strong for the people of this town. My vote will always be guided by principle and conscience.
Please take the time to learn about the 18 candidates running for the nine positions on City Council. Ask tough questions of us and see who actually answers your questions with thought and deliberation. But most importantly, remember to vote on Nov. 8. The future of our community rests in your hands.
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U.S. Senate Election
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The state is holding a special election to fill the seat vacated by John F. Kerry, who has been confirmed as U.S. secretary of state.
The state primary is Tuesday, April 30. The last day to register to vote or to change party affiliation for the primary is Wednesday, April 10. Enrolled voters may only vote in their party primary; unenrolled voters may select a primary to vote in without changing their status.
The special election is scheduled for Tuesday, June 25. The last day to register to vote in the election is Wednesday, June 5.
To register to vote, one must be at least age 18 by the date of the election, a U.S. citizen and a resident of the municipality in which you are voting.
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Election 2009 Stories
2010 Special Senate Election Results
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