Peter J Larkin with Gov. Mitt Romney, during his visit to Pittsfield in Oct 2003
PITTSFIELD — State Rep. Peter J. Larkin, D-Pittsfield, today announced that he was resigning as representative from the Third Berkshire District to join the lobbyist and consulting firm ML Strategies as its senior vice president of government relations.
“It has been a great honor and privilege to serve the people of the Third Berkshire District for the past 14 years,†Larkin said during a 4 p.m. news conference at City Hall. “I have enjoyed every minute of this job, where we’ve made Pittsfield and Massachusetts a better place to live and work.â€
Larkin, 51, who was just re-elected in November, cut short his eighth term in the Legislature to join the Boston office of ML Strategies, which also has offices in New York City and Washington, D.C. A special election will probably be held in mid-April to fill his seat, and many candidates are expected to seek it.
Larkin cited family responsibilities as part of his reason to resign. He has two children with his wife, Dr. Anne Larkin. His son, Matthew, is 3 months old, and his daughter, Aliya, will be 3 in April.
“I’ve come to a new place in my life where I have new responsibilities to my family,†Larkin said in a news release. “I’ve done a lot of soul-searching, and with recent changes in the Legislature I’ve come to a decision that it is more important that I tend to the needs of my young family and allow someone new to tend to the needs of the Third Berkshire District during the new era in the House of Representatives. This will be an exciting time in state government, and I am making my announcement today so that there can be a special election as soon as possible to secure new representation in the Legislature.â€
Larkin just took the oath of on Jan. 6. His resignation was effective today. He indicated he would continue to remain active in a number of initiatives that he is involved with in the Berkshires and would also maintain his residence on Blythewood Drive in Pittsfield.
“Although I am moving on to a new position, I will continue to pursue my leadership role in the Berkshire Wireless Learning Initiative, as we transform teaching and learning in Berkshire County’s middle school classrooms,†Larkin stated in his release. “I also plan to maintain my involvement in the Berkshire Higher Education Compact, as we seek to identify the higher education and workforce needs of the citizens of the Berkshires and provide the highest quality public higher education for them.â€
Stephen P. Tocco, president and CEO of ML Strategies, said in the release, “Peter’s extensive business background, as well as his government experience, make him the ideal choice to lead ML Strategies Massachusetts government affairs practice. He will work closely with our Washington, D.C., lobbying team to provide our clients with expert guidance from Beacon Hill to Capitol Hill.â€
According to its Web site, ML Strategies is an affiliate of the law firm of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky & Popeo, P.C., which employs over 500 lawyers.
“Combining the expertise of leaders from the private and public sectors, ML Strategies LLC is a consulting firm specializing in government relations, public relations, real estate, health care, and science, technology and environmental issues,†information on the Web site states. “From offices in Boston, Washington and New York, MLS helps clients manage complex business and communications issues, offering professional services staffed by senior-level team members who drive strategic initiatives and goals critical to ensuring long-term business success.â€
During his tenure in the House of Representatives, Larkin most recently served as assistant vice chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means. As the state faced a severe revenue shortfall, he said in his release, he played an important role in crafting budgets that managed to keep spending within the state’s means while continuing to provide the core services of government: education, health care, and public safety.
Larkin was a member of House Speaker Thomas M. Finneran’s leadership team, and during the most recent session helped author the Legislature’s Economic Stimulus Bill, which seeks to jump-start the Massachusetts economy by offering targeted investments through the state’s quasi-public agencies that build on regional strengths in newly emerging technologies to leverage private sector investment, maintain stability in taxation and regulation, attract federal research and development dollars and create capital formation for early-stage growth companies, thereby increasing employment opportunities.
Previously, Larkin served as chairman of the Joint Committee on Education, Arts and Humanities. Additionally, as chairman of the Committee on Taxation, he worked to improve Massachusetts’ business climate with new tax initiatives, such as insurance tax reform, a $700 million tax cut and reform of the tax laws to promote investment in Roth and Education IRAs.
Larkin formerly served as the chairman of the Joint Committees on Criminal Justice and Commerce & Labor. He also served as a member of the Joint Committees on Insurance and Redistricting.
During his tenure he also served on a number of special legislative committees, including the commission that studies the need for new convention centers and sports facilities in the Greater Boston, Worcester and Springfield areas and throughout the state. He also served as House chairman of the Special Joint Committee Relative to Utility Restructuring, which studied the issues surrounding the deregulation of the electric utility industry in Massachusetts. The legislation that was filed by this commission and subsequently passed allowed combined services that were once provided by a consumer’s local utility company to be divided into two parts: A consumer’s regulated electric utility will continue to deliver power over the wires. Yet, the power running through those wires is now sold by competing firms known as competitive power suppliers that consumers get to choose.
In 1996, Larkin was successful in sponsoring and passing legislation, known as the "Brownfields Initiative," which allows for pilot programs to expedite the cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated industrial sites around the state. In 1997, he filed legislation that addressed the further need for economic development of brownfield sites through new environmental remediation laws. That legislation developed into the newly passed "brownfields law," which allows for liability relief as well as economic incentives for redevelopment of contaminated sites.
Larkin was also a key player in the PCB clean-up negotiations between the city of Pittsfield and General Electric Co. Anticipating a need for reuse of the GE site, he introduced legislation that created the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority — a board that could manage the redevelopment of the General Electric site. Having these pieces of legislation in place contributed to the arrival of a comprehensive remediation and restoration settlement in September 1998.
He has been honored by the National Commission Against Drunk Driving and AAA for his efforts in establishing the Graduated Licensing Law. The Graduated Licensing Law requires that a teenager applying for a junior operator’s license has completed a certified driver education program in addition to at least 12 hours of supervised driving with a parent, guardian, or designated adult, and has had at least six months immediately preceding application that are free from any at-fault accidents, moving violation or drug or alcohol convictions. The curfew for junior operators was expanded from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m., and during the first six months of licensure, no passengers under the age of 18 (immediate family members exempted) are allowed in the car with a new driver at any time unless someone over 21 years of age is in the passenger seat.
Since 1984, Larkin has been a member of the Pittsfield Democratic City Committee, serving currently as the treasurer and as the vice chairman of the Ward 6 Democratic Committee. He previously served as secretary of the Ward 5 Committee. He also sits on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Democratic Leadership Council and is a board member of the Workforce Investment Act Advisory Council.
In addition to his civic and political responsibilities, Larkin served as the vice-president of Fahey Beverage Co., his family-owned beer and soft-drink distributing company in Pittsfield, until its closing in 2000.
Larkin is a cum laude graduate of St. Bonaventure University and a graduate of St. Joseph’s Central High School in Pittsfield.
According to ML Strategies' Web site, its professionals are actively involved in leading business and professional organizations, including various private and public boards.
“We maintain a wide network of relationships with leaders and opinion-makers in many fields; these include academics, business groups and the media, as well as legislative leaders and elected officials, state agencies and authorities, and market and economic impact consultants,†information on the Web site states.
Examples of what the company does for its clients include
• Managing the multifaceted public sector process of developing airports, seaports and other transportation infrastructure.
• Large-scale public-private real estate partnerships, urban development and redevelopment and military base reuse.
• Corporate and CEO image and visibility building.
• State and federal regulatory representation.
• Media management during and after a crisis and the development of crisis management plans.
• Audits for environmental, health and safety compliance.
• Generating innovative revenue sources for health-care providers.
• Public issue campaigns and referenda.
• Legislative advocacy.
• Representation on budgetary issues and priorities developing international business strategies and opportunities.
The Government Relations division of the company “comprises an interdisciplinary team of experts in the fields of business, government, law, politics and communications.†According to the Web site, the division has “a proven track record in public and private sector market expansion, federal, state and local government affairs, coalition- and constituency-building, community relations and image building.â€
“Our professionals provide clients with information, insight and critical thinking,†the Web site states. “We enable clients to analyze the ways in which public actions will affect their corporate interests, and to develop reasoned, affirmative and anticipatory legal and public affairs strategies. Clients come to us who want a customized response, need professionals who understand the political climate locally and nationally, and have the right network of relationships. Our clients are involved in a wide variety of industries, including energy, communications, environmental services, health care, biotechnology, insurance, pharmaceuticals, real estate and telecommunications.
It adds, “Working closely with other sections of ML Strategies and the law firm, we participate in formal governmental processes. Our professionals are frequently involved in drafting legislation, preparing testimony and advocacy material, and intervening in the administrative and regulatory arenas. For some matters our representation is less visible, discreetly advising clients in their efforts to build a constituency or community support for a particular policy position that concerns them. Our clients include major companies and business associations, international and multinational firms, real estate developers, public agencies and municipalities, and nonprofit institutions. Additionally, members of the Mintz Levin/ML Strategies team have assisted foreign corporate, government and trade association clients in Washington on legislative and regulatory issues requiring registration with the U.S. Department of Justice.â€
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Berkshire County to Elect DA, Governor, More in Primary Election
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield and beyond will elect a Massachusetts governor, attorney general, district attorney for Berkshire County, and other positions in the 2026 state election.
The City Council OK’d the issuance of the State Primary Election warrant, to be held on Tuesday, Sept. 1, and designated polling locations, hours, and police details.
The early voting period for the state primaries will be Aug. 22-28, while early voting for the Nov. 3 state election will be held Oct. 17-30.
In the primary election, voters choose the candidates they prefer for a political party to nominate in the general election held on Nov. 3.
The following positions will be on the primary ballot:
Senator in Congress for the Commonwealth
Governor for the Commonwealth
Lieutenant Governor for the Commonwealth
Attorney General for the Commonwealth
Secretary of State for the Commonwealth
Treasurer of State for the Commonwealth
Auditor for the Commonwealth
Representative in Congress for the First District
Governor's Councillor for the Eighth District
Senator in General Court for the Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin, and Hampden Districts
Representative in General Court for the Second Berkshire District
District Attorney for Berkshire County
Register of Probate for the Berkshire Middle District
There are no challengers on the Democratic primary ballot for the re-election of the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer and auditor.
On the Republican primary ballot, Michael Minogue of Hamilton and Brian Shortsleeve or Barnstable are vying for the gubernatorial nomination to take on Maura Healey in November; there are no other GOP primary races involving the Berkshires.
As there are no Republican nominees on the primary ballot for secretary of state or auditor, and no independent running in the general election, meaning the primary will essentially determine the winner in those two elections.
For U.S. senator, Edward Markey is being challenged by Seth Moulton in the Democratic primary; the winner will face off against John Deaton of Bolton, who is running unopposed in the Republican primary.
For the Massachusetts 1st District representative in Congress, Richard Neal is being challenged by Jeromie Whalen of South Hadley; the winner will face off against independent Nadia Milleron of Sheffield.
Closer to home, Paul Mark is unchallenged for state Senate and Tricia Farley-Bouvier and Leigh Davis for state representatives in the Democratic primary, but John Barrett III is being challenged by Andrew Fitch in the 1st Berkshire District.
Tara Jacobs of North Adams is being challenged as District 8 Governor's Councillor by Michael Fenton of Springfield.
There are no Republican or independent candidates for these seats so the winners will essentially be determined by the Democratic primary.
Polling locations for Pittsfield's 7 wards are as usual; polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. during the primaries on Sept. 1.
Pittsfield polling locations:
Ward 1, Precinct A Reid Middle School, 950 North Street
Ward 1, Precinct B Reid Middle School, 950 North Street
Ward 2, Precinct A Morningside Community School, 100 Burbank Street
Ward 2, Precinct B Somerset Fire Station, 9 Somerset Avenue
Ward 3, Precinct A Providence Court, 379 East Street
Ward 3, Precinct B Egremont School, 84 Egremont Avenue
Ward 4, Precinct A Herberg Middle School, 501 Pomeroy Avenue
Ward 4, Precinct B Williams School, 50 Bushey Road
Ward 5, Precinct A Pittsfield Library, One Wendell Avenue
Ward 5, Precinct B Pittsfield Library, One Wendell Avenue
Ward 6, Precinct A Columbus Arms Housing, 65 Columbus Ave.
Ward 6, Precinct B Silvio 0. Conte Community School, 200 West Union St.
Ward 7, Precinct A Pecks Road Fire Station, 54 Pecks Road
Ward 7, Precinct B Capeless Elementary School, 86 Brooks Avenue
Cassidy Flynn scattered five hits in a complete-game effort in the circle as Lenox upset top-seeded Hoosac Valley, 3-2, in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament. click for more
Brayden Durant struck out seven and walked one in a complete-game effort on the mound Saturday to pitch the Drury baseball team to a 6-0 win over Keefe Tech in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament at Joe Wolfe Field. click for more
