Ruberto Top Vote-Getter in Primary

By Jen ThomasPrint Story | Email Story
Mayor James M. Ruberto garnered 70 percent of the primary election vote.
PITTSFIELD - Mayoral candidate Donna Walto has got her work cut out for her. Garnering only 21 percent of the vote in the primary election Tuesday, Walto will face off against Mayor James M. Ruberto, who secured a strong 70 percent of the 3,089 total votes. "I’m pleased with the results and I’m looking forward to a revolution," Walto said on Tuesday night. As the Nov. 6 general election approaches, Ruberto said he plans to continue to serve the city. "The most important issue for me is just getting back to work," said Ruberto at an election night gathering at Mazzeo’s Ristorante. "I’m going back to work in City Hall, I’m going back to work on the economic development front, I'm going back to work to make sure we’re doing the right things for our city, and I’m certainly going back to work to make sure we don’t miss a step this year." With weeks of campaigning ahead, Walto said she wishes to host a public debate with the mayor, but she believes he will not accept her offer. "I’m willing to debate the mayor, but he doesn’t want to debate me," she said. Ruberto, who is seeking a third two-year term, received 2,170 votes and Walto received 656. A third candidate, Stephen Fillio, received only 9 percent of the vote with 263 votes. William Hines, Ruberto’s former campaign manager, estimated that 11 percent of the registered voters in the city turned out for the election.

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Toy Library Installed at Onota Lake

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Feel free to use or leave a toy at Onota Lake's newest infrastructure meant to foster community and benefit kids.

Burbank Park now has a toy library thanks to Wahconah Regional High School senior Alexandra Bills. Located along the wall at the beach area, the green and blue structure features two shelves with sand toys that can be used to enhance children's visits.

The Parks Commission supported Bills' proposal in February as part of her National Honors Society individual service project and it was installed this month. Measuring about 4 feet wide and 5.8 feet tall, it was built by the student and her father with donated materials from a local lumber company.

Friends and family members provided toys to fill the library such as pails, shovels, Frisbees, and trucks.

"I wanted to create a toy library like the other examples in Berkshire County from the sled library to the book libraries," she told the commission in February.

"But I wanted to make it toys for Onota Lake because a lot of kids forget their toys or some kids can't afford toys."

Bills lives nearby and will check on the library weekly — if not daily — to ensure the operation is running smoothly.  A sign reading "Borrow-Play-Return" asks community members to clean up after themselves after using the toys.

It was built to accommodate children's heights and will be stored during the winter season.

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories