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.

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Summer Wrapping Up for Pittsfield, Berkshire Students

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Students in Pittsfield and beyond are enjoying their last days of summer before classes begin. 

Most Berkshire County teachers return to work this month, and students follow in late August and early September. 

For Pittsfield Public Schools, staff returns on Aug. 26 and students' first day is Aug. 31; pre-kindergarten and kindergarten begin school on Sept. 2. 

Labor Day is on Monday, Sept. 7. 

"The summer is pretty much done, and we will be ready and excited to open the doors in about two and a half weeks,” Superintendent Latifah Phillips told the School Committee on Wednesday. 

Phillips is returning this year as the permanent superintendent.  She was appointed the interim superintendent last spring, and the School Committee voted to hire her permanently in June

This year also brings the middle school restructuring, moving fifth grade to the middle school level, and the retirement of Morningside Community School. 

Welcome night for Reid Middle School students new to the building is on Aug. 18 at 6 p.m.; Herberg will have a sixth-grade welcome night at 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 25, and at the same time on Aug. 26 for fifth grade. 

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