Letter: Thrill for Taconic to Play State Championship at Wahconah

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To the Editor:

As a high school coach, I cannot begin to describe the emotion and excitement that my players and coaches experienced on Monday during the MIAA D-III state championship at Wahconah Park. The thrill of being able to play the final game in our hometown, on the city-owned historic park, was amazing. To look up at the stands as they began to fill, and to see the faces of people of all ages painted along the fence and deep into the field, resonated with me throughout the day.

It is no small task to get to the state game, but it was an even greater task to perform the way that we did in front of our family, friends, teachers, neighbors, and residents. Truth be told, it was your cheers and clapping, chanting, and demonstration of love and support that rallied our players in the dugout and on the field. Given the many obstacles and challenges that everyone has faced for the past year and a half, it was a great day of baseball and a great day for Pittsfield.


There are many thoughts racing through my mind the day after a state championship, but for now, I will say "thank you." Thank you to the school department for protecting our season, the city for allowing us to play on “their” field, the parents for supporting your sons each and every day, the players for their endless dedication to the sport, the coaches for their tireless work, and finally, the fans, for your love of baseball.

"In baseball as in life, all the important things happen at HOME." In closing, and on behalf of the Taconic High School baseball team, my players, and my full coaching staff, thank you! Go Braves!

Sincerely,

Kevin Stannard
Taconic High School
varsity baseball coach 

Pittsfield, Mass.

 

 

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Pittsfield Health Officials to Present Outreach Program

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Wheels are moving on local health officials' plan to implement an outreach program that connects unhoused individuals with resources. 

The controversial camping ordinance was sent to the Board of Health in September 2025, and they have determined it is not the best approach for Pittsfield. It was officially scrapped by the City Council last month. 

After months of consideration and a visit to the Northampton Division of Community Care, the BOH recommends piloting an alternative community response program with two new homeless service coordinators who would begin work in the spring.  

On Wednesday, Cambi presented the board with a draft plan. It aims to strengthen the city's public health response to substance use and related community challenges by implementing a peer outreach program that provides harm reduction support services, navigation, and relationship building with vulnerable residents.  

This includes improving coordination with community partners and enhancing health and environmental conditions in the downtown area. 

The immediate priorities, Cambi said, are to rebuild trust and engagement, promote community understanding, and reduce stigma. 

"The context behind this is that there was a policy put in place that was set as a solution. We heard from community members and service providers about how this wasn't the right approach, and now there's been a shift," he said. 

"The city, including the Health Department, needs to own that change and how we need to rebuild those relationships, because we definitely lost the trust of the public." 

He pointed out that the department has already been doing this work with its public health nurse and community health worker, but this program would expand that outreach. A system will need to be put in place for data and program tracking. 

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