Election 2009: Caccamo Sees Solutions in Buying Local
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mayoral candidate Nicholas J. Caccamo says a locally based economy leads to community development and will increase public safety:Buying local affects our community in three primary ways. A local economy helps stimulate economic growth and stabilize a municipal economy during times of national distress, improves the standard of living for our own residents, friends and neighbors, and helps to foster community development within a municipality.
The economic benefits of a "Buy Berkshires" economy include maintaining job and consumer demand in our own community. An excellent way to support the local economy would be for Pittsfield businesses to join the BerkShares program. The BerkShares project is a local currency program based in Great Barrington. If elected, I would push for more Pittsfield businesses to support the program to ensure that money spent in the Berkshires stays in the Berkshires.
One of the least noticeable, but most beneficial aspects of promoting a locally based economy is the advancement of community development. As individuals become more aware of who they are buying goods and services from, and where those products are coming from, a sense of connection between residents begins to emerge. This connection between consumer and merchant leads to increased unity within a municipality. Economist Richard Layard states "if people are highly mobile, they feel less bonded to the people among whom they live, and crime is more common." We need to make Pittsfield a city where residents form permanent bonds and maintain enduring residence, not just a stopping point.
Furthermore, if elected, I plan to work closely with acting Police Chief Michael Wynn to determine the feasibility of patrol officers "walking the beat" in highly trafficked areas. Working together with the City Council, I will continue to look for and secure grants for additional funding for the Pittsfield Police Department.
Finally, a local economy will improve the standard of living for the citizens of Pittsfield, and help create a tightly knit community. Local businesses will require more support from local labor, thus increasing demand for jobs in the area. A local economy makes the American Dream a more plausible goal for our friends and neighbors, as small-scale production is more viable without the competition from large corporations.
Also, as more residents chose local over global, and small over corporate, Pittsfield will develop a sense of distinctiveness that will generate tourism and foster community development on our streets and neighborhoods.
More information about my plans to help improve the city can be found at my Web site caccamoformayor.webs.com.
Submitted by the Campaign to Elected Nicholas J. Caccamo
