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NORTH ADAMS — Daniel E. Bosley officially launched his campaign to become Berkshire County sheriff on Wednesday night, and he had a message for those who believe he's not qualified.
He said a strong sheriff needs ample experience in government and budget control, and nixed the idea that being a police officer inherently makes a candidate qualified.
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Bosley, the district's longtime representative, kicked off his campaign for sheriff with nearly 200 supporters. |
"Don't let anyone try to simplify the role of sheriff," he said in front of a crowd of about 170 supporters at the American Legion. "It is complex and complicated, and we need a person who has experience in all of these areas and not just one area of this job."
Bosley, who is currently serving his 12th term as state representative of the First Berkshire District, will run against Thomas N. Bowler, a Pittsfield Police detective, for the office of retiring incumbent Carmen C. Massimiano Jr.
Bosley officially announced his candidacy in January.
Some of the supporters in attendance Wednesday included Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts President Mary Grant, City Councilors Lisa Blackmer and Alan Marden, and former Mayor John Barrett III.
"Dan Bosley is a longtime friend, and we certainly worked together for the entire time I was
 Former Mayor John Barrett III, a good friend of Bosley's, attended the campaign launch. |
mayor," Barrett said. "He has done a lot for the First District, Berkshire County and the state of Massachusetts. I just think he's top shelf."
Bosley, a Democrat, gave a sampling of the initiatives he would implement as sheriff, including an "intake and assessment process" that creates work programs for inmates based on their individual skill sets. He said these programs would benefit Berkshire County communities by ensuring that less people would reoffend.
He commended Massimiano for creating the Juvenile Resource Center in Pittsfield, but Bosley has some ideas for expansion.
"This center is the crowning achievement of Sheriff Massimiano's tenure," he said. "Every other sheriff in Massachusetts wants a center and we need to find ways to keep it open and make it truly county wide."
Southern Berkshire District Court Probation Chief Alfred Barbalunga opened the event by introducing Bosley's daughter, Stephanie, who then introduced her father. Barbalunga contemplated running for sheriff, but pulled out of the race at the end of April.
"Him and I are very similar philosophically," Barbalunga said of Bosley. "We're big believers in management and rehabilitations that has nothing to do with policing whatsoever."
On Thursday, June 3, Bosley will be the keynote speaker at the Northern Berkshire Community Coalitions 24th annual meeting at the Williams Inn.
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