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Former City Clerk Trying for Register of Deeds |
| By: Staff Reports On: 02-07-2012 10:24PM |
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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Berkshire Congressional Candidates On Campaign Trail |
| By: By Joe Durwin On: 02-06-2012 09:36PM |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire County's two Democratic challengers to Springfield incumbent U.S. Rep. Richard Neal are diving actively into the 2012 contest for the newly redrawn 1st Massachusetts District.
Pittsfield's Andrea F. Nuciforo Jr. and Alford's Bill Shein have both been keeping busy as they launch efforts to raise their profile around Western Massachusett's newly redrawn district of 82 towns and cities.
Shein, a writer, humorist and seasoned campaign veteran, has made public and media appearances in North Adams, Westfield, Springfield, Pittsfield and Great Barrington in the past week.
Nuciforo, a former state senator, whose intent to run has been commonly known since 2009, will finally formally announce candidacy this week, according to his campaign. The current Central Berkshire register of deeds has invited supporters and press to a bus tour series of press conferences in Holyoke, Southbridge, Easthampton, Charlemont and Pittsfield this Wednesday.
According to an email appeal from his campaign Friday, Nuciforo hoped to raise an additional $15,000 in small donations in advance of Wednesday's bus tour. The Pittsfield native had $155,256 in funds at the end of September, according to the most recent data available from the Federal Election Commission.
Neal, by contrast, entered 2012 with a war chest of some $2.45 million, according to a report in The Republican.
Campaign funding has been one of the dominant issues in the race thus far. At a rally in Pittsfield last month, Nuciforo decried "corporate domination" and the "Washington status quo," in comments indirectly aimed at the 12-term congressman from Springfield. In a Jan. 18 statement, the candidate called for an end to Super PACs and adoption of public election funding.
Shein, however, suggests that both of his opponents will have a hard time claiming independence from corporate influence in this year's race.
The political activist points out that while a state senator, Nuciforo voted to repeal the Massachusetts' Clean Elections law, and received significant funding from PACs and lobbyists
"I'm thrilled that he's finally getting on board with getting the corporate money out of our democracy," Shein told iBerkshires, then described Nuciforo's anti-PAC statement as an one "early victory" for his campaign, coming just the day following Shein announcing his run.
As part of his platform, Shein has said he will not accept campaign contributions greater than $99.
For his part, Neal keeps insisting he's not thinking about the politics of this year's election (he hasn't updated his campaign site), though he has been engaging in a whirlwind schedule of exploratory visits outside of his current 2nd Mass district to some of the Western Massachusetts towns with which his native Springfield will be joined in 2013. While reticent to talk campaigning issues, Neal has stated on several occasions that his financial contributions do not influence his vote on issues in the House.
The Democratic nominee will be decided in a Sept. 6 party primary held on the unusual day of Thursday.
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Nuciforo Making District Tour to Announce for House |
| By: Tammy Daniels On: 02-03-2012 06:28PM |
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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North Adams Democrats Host Candidate Shein |
| By: Tammy Daniels On: 01-31-2012 09:51AM |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Democratic City Committee will host Democratic congressional candidate Bill Shein on Friday, Feb. 3, at 6:30 at the Freight Yard Pub.
Northern Berkshire Democrats and independent voters are invited to attend. Shein will address the gathering, which will also feature greetings from guests and city committee members.
Shein, of Alford, is a syndicated humor/political columnist and political activist. He recently announced his candidacy for the newly redrawn and consolidated 1st Massachusetts District seat.
Also, Greg Maynard, Western Massachusetts coordinator for U.S. Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren, will speak on her behalf.
North Adams ward chairs are Lisa Blackmer, Joanne DeRose, Diane Parsons, Greg Roach and Frances Buckley.
This will be an opportunity for North County voters to gather information and to become active in specific campaigns or in the local Democratic party.
Refreshments will be provided for a nominal charge.
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Williamstown Election Papers Available Wednesday |
| By: By Andy McKeever On: 01-30-2012 04:10PM |
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Nomination papers for the town election will be available on Wednesday.
The papers are due by to the town clerk's office with at least 28 certifiable signatures by March 20. The election will be on May 8 and the town meeting will be on May 15. The deadline for warrant article submissions is March 26.
Current Board of Selectmen Chairman Thomas Sheldon is up for re-election for the three-year post. There are two positions on the Elementary School Committee, both three years and are the seats of Jennifer Trainer Thompson and Adam Filson. Christopher Winters' five-year seat on the Planning Board is also up for election.
Additionally, a three-year term on the Northern Berkshire Regional Vocational School District, three-year term as a library trustee and both a five-year and a two-year term on the Housing Authority that are up for election.
The deadline to register to vote in the town election is April 18. The presidential primaries registration deadline is Feb. 15 and the election will be on March 6.
The elections and the town meeting will be held at the Elementary School.
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