Col. Daniel P. Swift: Keynote speaker for Memorial Day Parade

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PITTSFIELD – The Office of Veteran’s Services and the City of Pittsfield will host a Memorial Day Parade and Observances on Monday, May 26, 2008. The parade will begin at Pittsfield City Hall at 10:00 proceeding to Pittsfield Cemetery. The Guest Speaker is retired Col. Daniel P. Swift Wing Commander, Barnes Air Nation Guard Base, and Westfield, MA.
 
Col. Swift graduated from St. Michael’s College, Winooski, VT. In 1976 was commissioned as 2nd Lt. In 1978 Selected as a T-37 instruction pilot. Col Swift transitioned to the A-10 Warthog and flew the proud best for almost 20 years with tours in England AFB, LA, with a 9-month tour at King Fahad AB Saudi Arabia for Desert Storm. Col. Swift joined the MA Air Guard in 1991 serving as Commander and flew several combat sorties over Bosnia and Kosovo in 1995. Col. Swift retired as the assistant Director of Operations in Sept. 2001 with 25 years of service, over 5,000 hours of flight time including 3500 hrs in the A-10 single seat and 3 combat tours.
 
Col. Swift’s awards include: Legion of Valor, the Bronze Star, Air Medal with 3 devices, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 devices and AF Commendation Medal.
 
Mayor James M. Ruberto will proclaim the week beginning May 26, 2008 as “Military HERE at HOME” week in Pittsfield, MA.
 
Others in the line of march will include:
 
Vietnam Veterans chapter # 65
Barnes Air National Guard Honor Guard

Pittsfield Police Honor Guard
Pittsfield High Marching Band
Taconic High Marching Band
Mary Verdi Band
Boy Scout Troop #20
Cub Scouts
Jim Curry antique Jeep
HERE at HOME committee w/ Soldiers
F-15 Fighter Jet fly-over Barnes ANG
 
The Pittsfield Veteran’s Service Office invites and encourages our returning soldiers to march and honor our fallen service members who gave their lives to protect our country.
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Pittsfield Signs Negotiating Rights Agreement With Suns Baseball Team

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Suns will call Wahconah Park home again. 

On Tuesday, the Parks Commission accepted a negotiating rights agreement between the city and longtime summer collegiate baseball team, the Pittsfield Suns. It solidifies that the two will work together when the historic ballpark is renovated. 

It remains in effect until the end of 2027, or when a license or lease agreement is signed. Terms will be automatically extended to the end of 2028 if it appears the facility won't be complete by then. 

"It certainly looks like it lays out kind of both what the Suns and Pittsfield would like to see over the next year or so during this construction plan, to be able to work together and work exclusively with each other in this time," Commissioner Anthony DeMartino said. 

Owner Jeff Goldklang, joining virtually, said he shared those thoughts, and the team looks forward to starting negotiations. After this approval, it will need a signature from Mayor Peter Marchetti and the baseball team. 

The negotiating rights agreement recognizes the long-standing relationship between Pittsfield and the team dating back to 2012, and the Suns' ownership group's historical ties to Wahconah Park and the city dating to the 1980s. The team skipped the 2024 and 2025 seasons after the historic grandstand was deemed unsafe in 2022.  

The Suns were granted the exclusive right to negotiate in good faith with the city for a license or lease agreement where the Suns will be the primary tenant. During the terms of the agreement, the city can't negotiate or enter into an agreement with another party for leniency, licensing, or operation of Wahconah Park for professional or collegiate summer baseball. 

"The Parties acknowledge the historic and cultural importance of Wahconah park to the residents of Berkshire County and share a mutual goal of providing community access, engagement, and programming on a broad and inclusive scale," it reads. 

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