Mayoral Candidate Moulton Cites Newspaper Investor's Donation to Opponent

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Mayoral candidate Robert Moulton Jr. is crying foul over a donation to his opponent by a Berkshire Eagle owner. 
 
Hans Morris of Stockbridge donated $250 to the campaign of Thomas Bernard last month. Morris is a member of the group of investors who purchased New England Newspapers last year. 
 
Mention of Morris' donation was omitted from a Thursday article in The Eagle on the pre-election campaign finance reports. iBerkshires also wrote an article about the filings but did not catch Morris' name in connection to the newspaper group. 
 
In a statement, Moulton said he did not expect the newspaper's endorsement but did not think one of the owners would provide financial backing to a North Adams mayoral candidate.
 
"Further, I was incredibly disappointed that our local newspaper — which we count on to provide truth and transparency — has completely failed to meet its obligation and disclose the donation by one of its owners, Mr. Morris," he wrote, adding that The Eagle must have known about the contribution. 
 
Morris is also chairman of the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art and a member of its board since 2001. The museum's director, Joseph Thompson, contributed $200 to Bernard's campaign. 
 
Bernard, currently director of special projects at Smith College, was development officer at Mass MoCA more than a decade ago. He was endorsed this week by outgoing Mayor Richard Alcombright.
 
The Eagle's Executive Director Kevin Moran is quoted in a followup story in the paper saying a reference to the donation should have been included in the article. However, he added, "Hans Morris has not played a role in editorial decisions, including endorsements."
 
Moulton intimated in his statement that the $250 donation to Bernard, who has so far raised nearly $20,000, came with strings attached. "What does he expect in return for this support?" asks Moulton. 
 
With Tuesday's election fast approaching, Moulton, a local businessman who's served five terms on the City Council and bid unsuccessfully four years ago for mayor, is positioning himself as running against an establishment that "tries to push back and put us down."
 
Moulton's full statement can be found on his campaign Facebook page. 

Tags: campaign reports,   campaign statements,   election 2017,   mayor,   


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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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