Election 2009: Building Council Backs Bianchi

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mayoral candidate Dan Bianchi has received the unanimous endorsement of the Berkshire County Building & Construction Trades Council.

The Berkshire County Building & Construction Trades represents thousands of workers throughout the area and includes members from trades such as electricians, carpenters, laborers, pipe fitters, iron workers, asbestos workers and operating engineers. The union feels that there needs to be a change in the direction of the city and a change in city leadership.

"The working class wants to be involved with city government. We want to be listened to and heard. We just want to be treated fairly and have a seat at the table," said Mike Filpi, treasurer of the Laborers Local 473.

The union cited growing concerns over the development of the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority site, fairness and openness in city government, and crime as reasons the city needed a change and why they were endorsing Bianchi.

"I grew up in the city. We used to be able to leave our doors open and not have to worry about a thing, but those times have changed. Pittsfield is a great place to raise a family but the crime these days is changing all of that," said another union member. "Bianchi is a hero of Pittsfield and a voice for the Berkshire County Building Trades. He has what it takes to move Pittsfield forward in the right direction."

Above all else the union feels that Bianchi is a proven leader who has the experience to take Pittsfield in a new direction and make the necessary changes to city government that will make it open, transparent, fair, accountable and inclusive.

For more information on Councilor Bianchi's campaign, visit the Web site at www.votebianchi.com or by call our campaign office at 413-442-2555.

Submitted by the Campaign to Elect Dan Bianchi
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Dalton Redevelopment Authority Seeks to Attract Veterinarian

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Dalton Redevelopment Authority is looking at revamping zoning to make it easier for a veterinarian to open an office. 
 
This was prompted by resident Kevin Herkelman, an animal nutritionist who worked with veterinarians before retiring and moving to the area about a year ago.
 
He and his wife have many animals and found that area vet offices weren't accepting new patients or were booked out for a long time.
 
"When we moved here, we were looking for a vet. We have five dogs and a cat. I used to show dogs and things like that. When we tried to find a vet, we had a hard time even finding people taking new clients. So we ended up going over to Northampton. That's where we still are," he told a recent meeting of the authority.
 
He said it's more difficult to have to travel far, and even if residents have a veterinarian, it's likely in Pittsfield so they have to leave town. 
 
Currently a veterinary office is only allowed in a B1, R1, or I1 zone and must be 100 feet from a boundary.
 
Herkelman and Chair John Boyle have been looking for a suitable location to entice a vet to come to the area but zoning has been an issue as it is very restrictive. 
 
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