Election 2009: Alcombright Announces His Plan for Debates

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Dick Alcombright
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Mayoral Candidate Dick Alcombright today announced his plans for debates this fall:

"I have been contacted by the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce about participating in a debate hosted by them and the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts on either Sept. 29 or 30 and have agreed in principle to this debate.  We are working with the Chamber on format and ground rules for the debate and I am sure we will firm up the event fairly quickly. I look forward to the opportunity and thank both the Chamber and MCLA for sponsoring this important event."

"In addition, and in response to the Transcript's offer to host a second debate, I have contacted several local media outlets in Berkshire County regarding the possibility of their participation in a second debate in mid-October. I am pleased to announce that Tammy Daniels of iBerkshires, Larry Kratka of WUPE/WNAW, Sherman Baldwin of WBRK, Charlie Dietz of WAMC and Charles Giuliano of Berkshirefinearts.com have agreed to participate as panelists. I am also very excited to announce that Paul Hutchinson, town clerk of Adams, has offered his services as moderator. We will wait to hear from the Transcript as well as our opponent on format, ground rules, venue, and final date and time."

"I feel that it is very important to have all of the local media involved in the debate process as it includes many voices and audiences in the area. I believe my opponent agrees with this philosophy as he was quoted in the Aug. 6 issue of the Transcript as saying '... I'd like to see the local media put [another debate] together.'"

"We welcome the upcoming debates as an opportunity to discuss the most important issues facing the City of North Adams and thank all who have agreed to participate."

Together We Will Succeed

If you are interested in helping to elect Dick Alcombright as the next mayor of North Adams, e-mail him at info@AlcombrightForMayor.com or call him at 413-663-5057 and visit AlcombrightForMayor.com.

Submitted by the Committee to Elect Alcombright for Mayor
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

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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