Downing Named One of the 'Good Guys' by Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus

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2015 MWPC Good Guys: James Norton, Senator Ben Downing, Bob Rivers, event emcee Paula Ebben (WBZ TV news anchor), Joshua Boger, Senator Mo Cowan, Robert Lewis, Jr., MWPC Executive Director Samantha Washburn-Baronie and Meg Hogan, MWPC Board President.

BOSTON, Mass. – Sen. Benjamin B. Downing (D- Pittsfield) was honored as one of the 2015 “Good Guys” as determined by the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus (MWPC) during a ceremony in Boston.

"It is an honor to recognize Senator Downing at this year's Good Guys Awards," said MWPC Executive Director Samantha Washburn-Baronie. "Senator Downing is a champion for women and families across western Massachusetts, and he leads by promoting and encouraging women to participate in politics. We are thrilled to honor the amazing strides he has made to support women and families in Massachusetts."

The MWPC is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization committed to increasing the number of women elected to public office and appointed to public policy positions in Massachusetts. Caucus members include a diverse group of prominent and influential women in the political, academic, business and non-profit communities.

Downing supports the MWPC’s goals: his chief of staff, committee counsel and constituent casework manager are all talented women.



"It's an honor to be recognized, especially among such a distinguished group,” Downing said. “I am blessed to be surrounded by strong, talented and thoughtful women throughout my life. These experiences have shown me the potential we can tap into. We need to encourage, support and engage women across the political spectrum and in all sectors, to see that potential realized."

The MWPC introduced the Good Guys Awards in 2002 to honor men who demonstrate an ongoing commitment and partnership in achieving equality for women.

In total, six men were celebrated as “Good Guys” during today’s event.  The other honorees were Senator Mo Cowan (Of Counsel, Mintz Levin and Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, ML Strategies), Dr. Joshua Boger (Founder, Director & CEO, Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Executive Chair, Alkeus Pharmaceuticals), Robert Lewis, Jr. (President & Founder, The BASE and the Boston Astros), James Norton (Vice President, General Dynamics Mission Systems) and Bob Rivers (President & Chief Operating Officer, Eastern Bank).

 


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Central Berkshire School Officials OK $35M Budget

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Central Berkshire Regional School Committee approved a $35 million budget for fiscal 2025 during its meeting on Thursday.
 
Much of the proposed spending plan is similar to what was predicted in the initial and tentative budget presentations, however, the district did work with the Finance subcommittee to further offset the assessments to the towns, Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis said. 
 
"What you're going see in this budget is a lower average assessment to the towns than what you saw in the other in the tentative budget that was approved," she said. 
 
The fiscal 2025 budget is $35,428,892, a 5.56 percent or $1,867,649, over this year's $33,561,243.
 
"This is using our operating funds, revolving revenue or grant revenue. So what made up the budget for the tentative budget is pretty much the same," Director of Finance and Operations Gregory Boino said.
 
"We're just moving around funds … so, we're using more of the FY25 rural aid funds instead of operating funds next year."
 
Increases the district has in the FY25 operating budget are from active employee health insurance, retiree health insurance, special education out-of-district tuition, temporary bond principal and interest payment, pupil transportation, Berkshire County Retirement contributions, and the federal payroll tax. 
 
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