Newly Elected Officials to Take Oaths of Office

Staff ReportsiBerkshires
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Local officials will be taking the oath of office on Wednesday, Jan. 5, in Boston and the Berkshires.

The county's new sheriff will be sworn in on Wednesday, Jan. 5, at the Berkshire County Courthouse on East Street in Pittsfield and two new state representatives for the Berkshires will be welcomed in the House of Representatives beginning at 11 a.m. at the State House.

Sheriff-elect Thomas N. Bowler, who resigned as a Pittsfield Police detective on Sunday, will be given the oath of office by Berkshire Superior Court Judge John A. Agostini in the second-floor courtroom. Bowler, a newcomer to elected office, sailed to victory last September in the Democratic primary against outgoing Rep. Daniel E. Bosley of North Adams.

The public is invited to the event and to a reception afterward from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Crowne Plaza ballroom, where Bowler held his victory party. The veteran officer replaces Sheriff Carmen C. Massimiano, who held the post for 32 years.

Bosley's replacement for the 1st Berkshire District in the State House, Gailanne Cariddi of North Adams, and Paul W. Mark of Hancock, who is stepping into the shoes of outgoing 2nd District Rep. Denis E. Guyer of Dalton, will join some 40 new representatives from both sides of the aisle.

The ceremony, which runs from 11 a.m. to about 1 p.m., will include the election of House speaker and Senate president; no one is challenging House Speaker Robert DeLeo or Senate President Therese Murray. Gov. Deval Patrick will administer the oaths of office and both DeLeo and Murray will address the lawmakers present.


(Patrick will be sworn in for a second term, the first governor in 16 years to do so, on Thursday, Jan. 6.)

Also being sworn in for the 187th General Court are incumbents Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli, D-Lee, Rep. Christopher N. Speranzo, D-Pittsfield, and Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, D-Pittsfield.

A reception will follow at the State House.

iBerkshires will be attending both events, so look for photos and news updates through the day.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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