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Challenger Tahira Amatul-Wadud and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal have agreed to two debates.

Neal, Amatul-Wadud To Meet In Two Televised Debates

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Richard Neal and Tahirah Amatul-Wadud have agreed to two televised debates.
 
The two are seeking the seat of U.S. Representative in the September primary. The longtime sitting Congressman Neal is being challenged by attorney and activist Amatul-Wadud. The two will first meet on Aug. 22 for a debate on WWLP, channel 22 and then on Aug. 30 on WGBY.
 
The first debate won't be available for the public to view live in the Berkshires because the station was pulled off the air by the cable provider. It will be available online after it concludes. The WGBY debate will be aired live starting at 8 p.m. and will also be available online after it concludes.
 
The WWLP debate will be moderated by Rich Tettemer and the WBGY one will be moderated by Carrie Saldo. The WBGY debate is in partnership with the League of Women Voters.
 
Earlier this year Amatul-Wadud challenged Neal to debate in Pittsfield, hosted by the NAACP but Neal declined, leading to sharp criticism from Amatul-Wadud.
 
"My team and I have attended more than 350 community and candidates’ events since launching our campaign. When Rep. Neal declined the Berkshire County Branch of the NAACP’s invitation for a town hall debate on Aug. 15, the community and I were disappointed. When he failed to show for the Candidates' Forum hosted by the Springfield City Library in Mason Square last week, this too was disappointing," Amatul-Wadud said in a statement. 
 
On Thursday Neal announced the WWLP debate, but Amatul-Wadud said at the time her campaign still hadn't agreed to it. Later, she said the two were able to settle the terms and the debate will go on.
 
"Congressman Neal is very excited to announce his participation in this debate which allows the most possible voters to hear directly from the candidates," said Neal's campaign manager, Peter Panos.
 
"Congressman Neal looks forward to addressing voters about his role in Congress leading the fight against Donald Trump's inhumane immigration policies, attempts to gut healthcare, slash Social Security and Medicare and cut taxes for corporations and the wealthiest 1-percent while sharing his vision for fairer taxes, making healthcare more affordable and accessible, defending Social Security and Medicare, combating the opioid epidemic and addressing income inequality."
 
Almost immediately, the Neal campaign received backlash from some in the Berkshires because the debate would not be available and the Neal campaign said it was still considering debates that included the Berkshires. On Friday, the Neal campaign released information regarding the WGBY debate.
 
"Congressman Neal is thrilled to announce his participation in this second televised debate hosted by WGBY in partnership with the League of Women Voters, ensuring all voters across the district hear directly from the candidates," Panos said. 
 
Amatul-Wadud said  the term of the debate was "painstakingly negotiated." She cited the race in the Seventh Congressional District in which there had been "between four to six debates with proper time allotment, skillfully moderated, and in the presence of votes" and she wants the same for the First Congressional District.
 
"I am running to represent the people of the First Congressional District of Massachusetts in the United States House of Representatives. The dignity of this seat requires a thorough and rigorous debate of the issues, in the spirit of democracy," Amatul-Wadud said.
 
Neal has been in Congress since 1989 and the Berkshires were added to his district in 2012 following redistricting. He is a former history teacher and former mayor of Springfield.
 
Amatul-Wadud is an attorney who first worked in the energy field before focusing on family law with Western Mass Legal Services. 

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MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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