Rep. Denis Guyer discussed his future plans at his office on Tuesday afternoon.
This is the first in a series profiling the unique individuals who compose the Berkshire delegation. Keep checking iBerkshires.com to see your representatives profiled.
DALTON - Responsible for the largest district in the state, Rep. Denis E. Guyer has his work cut out for him.
“One of my biggest challenges is the actual number of communities. Trying to be everywhere at once is a challenge in itself,†said the Dalton Democrat, who represents 21 towns in Berkshire, Franklin and Hampshire counties, in addition to Precinct B of Ward 1 in Pittsfield.
“Some weeks I wish it were smaller, but I have a very diverse district. I get to tackle issues relative to a city like Pittsfield and then issues relative to a town like Peru - it’s these vastly different problems that keep me very interested in the job,†he said.
Just A Normal Guy
Born and raised in Pittsfield, Guyer’s political career started with a simple desire to make a difference.
“I started as a person who was always interested in municipal government and when I moved to Dalton in 2000, I was told to put my money where my mouth is, so I ran for a spot on the Board of Selectmen,†said Guyer. “I wanted to and still want to change things for the better in my community.â€
After serving as chairman of the five-member board, Guyer thought he could help facilitate bigger change.
“When I first ran for state representative, I thought I’d never win,†said Guyer, who decided to challenge 14-year Republican incumbent Shaun P. Kelly in 2004 for the 2nd Berkshire seat. “I just thought I’d run and put on a good show.â€
Guyer ended up defeating opponent Richard S. Stockwell, who joined the race as the Republican candidate after Kelly dropped out. With 70 percent of the vote, Guyer easily declared victory. He was re-elected to a second two-year term last November by an even larger margin - garnering 88 percent of the vote.
But it wasn’t always so easy. Guyer, 41, and his two younger brothers were raised by a single mother, who was barely able to make ends meet. He joined the Air Force immediately after graduating from Pittsfield High School in 1985.
After six years in the military, Guyer took a job at Crane & Co. as a production worker, eventually becoming a purchasing agent. Until his election to the Legislature, Guyer continued to work at Crane.
He currently attends Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and is five classes shy of receiving a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
Now, Guyer has little free time between his legislative duties and caring for his 4-year-old son, Charlie. When he does get a day off, he spends his time enjoying the outdoors or sitting at home watching the Red Sox.
“I’m just a normal guy and I was unhappy with the way things were going. I wanted to make changes,†he said.
Berkshire County Changes
With mostly rural communities in his district, Guyer, along with the rest of the Berkshire delegation, faces unique challenges, including the lack of broadband access in the western part of the state and dairy farm relief, two key issues in the Statehouse this year.
With legislative measures in place addressing these concerns, Guyer’s next biggest challenge is working on the development of environmentally-friendly and green technologies in Western Mass.
“I’m really focusing on the local growers, farmers, foresters and private landowners who live out here. I want to work to strengthen the relationship between local growers and alternative technology initiatives,†said Guyer.
With the impending construction of the Berkshire Biodiesel plant at the Ashuelot Park industrial area in Dalton and Pittsfield, Guyer believes the Berkshires will have the perfect opportunity to provide incentives and programs to allow the use of local harvested materials for biomass facilities.
“The environment is the makeup of my district. With the rivers and streams, the forested areas, the mountain ranges - I want to keep it in the forefront,†said Guyer, who serves on the House’s Joint Committee on Natural Resources, Environment and Agriculture.
As part of the cultural renaissance of the Berkshires, Guyer is proud that towns in his district are able to benefit from the new emphasis on a “creative economy.â€
“I think people have recognized that these cultural and tourism-related organizations are economic engines in communities. Some of the smallest towns are part of this creative economy,†he said, using Ashfield’s Double Edge Theatre as an example of a thriving cultural attraction in Western Massachusetts.
The Berkshires, Boston and Beyond
With at least one more year to serve, Guyer is excited to continue working for the people in his large and spread out district.
“I love my job,†he said. “I’ll do it as long as they have me.â€
Jen Thomas can be reached at jthomas@iberkshires.com or at (413) 663-3384, Ext. 23.
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CRA Welcomes New Executive Director
DALTON, Mass. — The Community Recreation Association (CRA) Board of Trustees announced Ariana Massery as the nonprofit's new Executive Director, succeeding Alison Peters, who is retiring after 16 years of dedicated leadership and service.
Massery brings more than a decade of experience in organizational leadership, community engagement, and large-scale program management. She joins the CRA after serving as a senior leader at Jacob's Pillow. Her last role was as Director of Strategic Initiatives, People, and Culture.
"As we work to meet the evolving needs of the local communities we serve, the Board is excited to welcome Ariana, who is a proven, dynamic leader with a broad skill set and experience base, including significant experience with marketing, and fundraising efforts within a larger regional organization," said Rich Rowe, president of the CRA Board of Trustees. "Ariana's vision and collaborative approach will enhance the CRA's capacity and will position the organization for an exciting new chapter as we navigate a shifting funding landscape."
Massery said that this role represents an exciting next step in her career with an organization that reflects her own values and belief in community.
"The CRA plays a critical role in the health and vitality not only of Dalton but all of Central Berkshire County," she said. "I am eager to bring my skills to the CRA, listen and learn from the community, and work alongside our staff, members, board, and partners to build on this strong foundation and support the programs that have made the CRA a vital and vibrant community organization for more than a century."
The CRA Board also expressed gratitude for outgoing Executive Director Alison Peters, whose tenure included significant program expansion, improvements to community access, and strengthened partnerships across the region.
"Alison has been a warm, steady, and compassionate leader whose work has helped the organization evolve significantly over her 16 years of leadership," Rowe added. "We wish her every joy in her well-deserved retirement."
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