Peter White	Tricia Farley-Bouvier	Ryan Scago

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Party candidates in the Democratic primary for the 3rd Berkshire District state representative emphasized differences in experience, approach and accessibility over ideological issues at a public debate held Monday night at Berkshire Community College.

Democratic contenders Tricia Farley-Bouvier, Ryan Scago and Peter White outlined their reasons and qualifications for the office of 3rd District, which covers most of Pittsfield. This seat is being filled by special election this year to fill the vacancy left by the July resignation of Christopher N. Speranzo, who left the office after being appointed to the position of clerk-magistrate to the Central Berkshire District Court by the Gov. Deval Patrick.

Candidate Websites

Farley-Bouvier Scago White

A tone of close agreement and parallel policies on many issues was felt throughout the debate, which was sponsored by the Pittsfield Gazette, Pittsfield Community Television and Berkshire Community College. Candidates fielded questions from PCTV's David Cachat in a manner that focused on trying to convey a general sense of their stylistic differences, while revealing a few concrete deviations on legislation and general political issues.

Similar positions were expressed on such well-trodden party issues as health care, gay marriage, public library services and funding, and the importance of community colleges and local higher education. Parallels even extended down into the three words the contenders chose to describe their leadership style, with all three choosing "collaborative" and "decisive" as their first two.

Some significant policy differences were nonetheless made apparent. Farley-Bouvier said she favored an increase in the gas tax, while Scago and White opposed it. On the subject of minimum wage, White supported raising it and indexing it to inflation; Farley-Bouvier opposed such a raise at this time, citing impact on small business, but that "looking at indexing it to inflation was a good idea," while Scago voiced support for raising minimum wage as well as a possible increase in personal income tax exemption.

When asked if they supported the Patrick administration's proposal to require all employers to provide at least seven paid sick days per year, Scago and Farley-Bouvier both indicated that while they believe paid sick days should be encouraged, but not universally required by a mandate, while White supports the plan.

"I think that it should be left up to the individual employers, especially in tough economic times," said Scago. "It's something I think that everyone should be entitled to, should have, but I don't think it can come down in the form of a mandate."

"When it comes to our small businesses ... I don't think we can mandate those sick days," said Farley-Bouvier, "It's sort of like a free market, an employee is going to go where the best benefits are. We can't put more burdens on our small businesses."

"It doesn't do us any good if we have sick people going in to work, because that's what's going to happen without it being a provided benefit," said White. "They're going into work sick, they're getting everyone else sick, and it's not good for the business."

When asked what recent State House legislation they would have voted against, White and Scago both cited the removal of health care as an item from the collective bargaining rights for state and municipal employees. Farley-Bouvier said that more than any particular bill, she had issues with the process or way in which legislation was sometimes handled in Boston, such as a lack of transparency with the recent casino bill.

It was on the subject of their qualifications and experience that the candidates demonstrated the widest variety of responses.

Farley-Bouvier repeatedly emphasized her experience in Pittsfield as a parent in addition to her municipal experience, years on the City Council and work as an educator. 

Ryan Scago presented his experience working in his family's businesses in a tough economy as well as occupational experience in the district attorney's office, sheriff's department and Connecticut State House. White said that while having only served two years on the City Council, he believes that his years of experience with the Morningside Initiative, working at the Brien Center, and visible accessibility across many city and cultural events have prepared him to serve the most diverse spectrum of constituency.

All candidates were unanimous in their support of the Patriots over the Dolphins in Monday night's NFL game.

The full broadcast of the debate is available through the CityLink section of the PCTV website.

The primary special election to determine the Democratic candidate for the seat will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 20, with Pittsfield polls open from 7 to 8. A second debate for the 3rd Berkshire representative seat will take place at BCC on Oct. 3, in preparation for the final election for this office on Oct. 18.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mark Miller, a candidate for the Green-Rainbow Party, has won the endorsement of the United Auto Workers, a major industrial labor union, in his bid to become the new state representative of the 3rd Berkshire District.

Willie Desnoyers, president of the UAW Massachusetts State CAP Council, said: "I'm proud to report that the UAW MA State CAP Council has endorsed Mark Miller for state representative for the 3rd Berkshire District. We are looking forward to working with Mark in the state Legislature. It is important to us that Labor endorses candidates that will respect collective bargaining rights and job creation in Massachusetts. We feel Mark is the best choice for Labor."

The decision comes even before the Democrats have had a chance to pick their nominee, who will face off against Miller and others in the Oct. 18 special election caused by the resignation of the incumbent, Christopher Speranzo. Miller welcomed the early endorsement.

"Pittsfield needs new jobs and I'm going to do all I can to bring them here. It's crazy that with so much work to do — like insulating every home in the city to bring down heating bills — our unemployment figures are higher than in the rest of the state. I'm thrilled that the members of the UAW are ready to help give Pittsfield a strong independent voice in the State House."

Usually the UAW backs Democrats. Miller says the endorsement shows a new willingness on the part of Massachusetts Democrats to break with the party, which controls 90 percent of the seats in the Legislature.

"I was a lifelong Democrat, but as with many Democrats there was a point when I had to say enough is enough. For me, that point came when the party caved in on health care," said Miller. "So although I'm not running as a Democrat I'm the candidate who is fighting for core Democratic policies like Medicare for All."

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pam Malumphy, an independent candidate for state representative for the 3rd Berkshire District, said her campaign will focus on fice key issues.

Eager to hear from other candidates, Malumphy said she is first to put forth a platform focusing on key issues affecting the district, which covers the city of Pittsfield, as well as the commonwealth:

1) Jobs

2) Education

3) Affordable health care for families, elders and veterans

4) Ethics reform

5) Lifetime appointments and rerm limits

Malumphy said her background has afforded her skills no other candidate possesses in this upcoming special election. As the recent regional director for the Massachusetts Office of Business Development, Malumphy networked with local, regional, state and federal agencies to assist businesses. But she also recognized the state's programs could fall short when it came to assisting small business. 

"Most of my dealings were with smaller businesses and I would love to find a way to match state dollars with the local GE Economic Development Fund to create a small loan and grant system for small business," said Malumphy. "It's that kind of thinking that will help support the family and small businesses we want to see grow."

A former teacher with an undergraduate and graduate degree in education, Malumphy served for five years, until 2010, on the local School Building Needs Commission that is looking at city's high schools. 

"I understand the growing confusion as to the relationship between the SBNC and the state [School] Building Authority and how residents need more information. The 3rd Berkshire state rep can and should be a strong advocate and positive intermediary with getting the process back on track."

A third issue for Malumphy's campaign is affordable and accessible health care. "Health care is mandated in Massachusetts and the state has taken far too large a role in becoming an insurer rather than advocate for making certain we have affordable and accessible health care.”

Lastly, with the last two Democratic state representatives vacating their seats prior to completing their terms and forcing expensive special elections, Malumphy is determined to demonstrate that partisan politics and back-room deals are not acceptable in Pittsfield or on Beacon Hill. 

"I can't tell you how disappointed I am to watch what's happened in our district with another vacated state rep seat, the recent lifetime appointment for clerk magistrate, a local administration under continuous ethics scrutiny, and candidates who are vacating their own public responsibilities to run for this seat," said Malumphy. "We need an advocate for jobs, affordable health care particularly for families, our elders and veterans, education, and strong reform when it comes to ethics, lifetime appointments and term limits. It is critical that we have an independent voice on Beacon Hill representing this community's concerns and not pandering to partisan politics and patronage."

Visit VoteMalumphy.com for more detailed information about her platform.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — In an early demonstration of unity, the three Democratic candidates for state representative for the 3rd Berkshire District, Peter White, Ryan Scago and Tricia Farley-Bouvier, on Tuesday joined striking Verizon workers on the picket line and issued the following statement:

We support without reservation the members of the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers who are now on strike at Verizon Communications in Pittsfield and throughout the vommonwealth.

We are troubled by the attack on middle-class workers as exemplified by Verizon's demands for a pension freeze, fewer sick days, and far higher employee health contributions. Meanwhile, Verizon is making unprecedented profits with its CEO Ivan Seidenberg earning more than $18 million in total compensation in 2010 – roughly $49,000 every day. Sound economic policy requires us to stabilize our economy and one factor in that is greater pay equity between workers and executives.

The Verizon workers have not asked for increases in their wages and benefits in their contract negotiations, they simply do not want their benefits slashed and their job security put in jeopardy. We appreciate that the company returned to the table and we request that the corporate executives bargain in good faith for a fair contract for working families.

It is our hope that a united front based on the values of the democratic party will bring much needed awareness from the community to the struggle of these workers for a fair contract.

Signed,
Tricia Farley-Bouvier, Ryan Scago and Peter White
Democratic Candidates for State Representative, 3rd Berkshire District

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mark Miller, Green-Rainbow candidate for the 3rd Berkshire District, has filed his nomination papers with the state Elections Office in Springfield.

This is Miller's second bid for the House seat; he lost last fall to incumbent Christopher N. Speranzo, who has since quit to become clerk-magistrate of the Central Berkshire District Court.

A left, Miller, former editor of The Berkshire Eagle, signs his paperwork in Springfield in this submitted photo.