Bianchi, Ruberto Will Face Off in November

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
08:19PM / Tuesday, September 22, 2009Print Story | Email Story

Above, Daniel Bianchi greets people at his election night party; left, Mayor James Ruberto is surrounded by supporters. Top, Jodie St. Peter accepts a vote package at City Hall.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Daniel Bianchi lead the mayoral pack on Tuesday, outpolling his closest competitor, incumbent James M. Ruberto, by 542 votes.

Voters also ousted two sitting city councilors, ensuring two new faces on the council come January.

Ruberto and Bianchi will vie again in November to see which will be the city's next executive.

Pam Malumphy ran a distant third with 23-year-old Nicholas J. Caccamo making a good showing in fourth. The rest of the 10 candidates weren't even in the running.

Of the city's 14 wards, Ruberto won only Ward 4 and Precinct A in Ward 3.

Despite the returns, the Ruberto camp was upbeat over at the Italian American Club afterward.

"The outcome didn't surprise us at all. We fully expected to be where we are — heading for the Super Bowl," said Ruberto. "Tonight its 0-0, we're in the top of the first inning and the real campaign starts now."

Bianchi, too, was surrounded by supporters at the American Legion thrilled with his showing. The five-term city councilor said he was ready for the sprint to November.

"I want to thank the people of Pittsfield for participating and all the wonderful people in the campaign," he said. "I'm certainly looking forward to working real hard over the next six weeks, talking about issues and being successful in November."

Ballots arrive at City Hall.

Ruberto said he'll be running on "real results" and that his opponent "will have to explain his vision to the people of Pittsfield and to begin to explaining to the people of Pittsfield how that vision is going to represent better, more effective, more creative government than we have now."

The incumbent described the face off as between the coach (himself) and the critic, saying his opponents in the preliminary election had been focused on finding problems than on solutions.

While Ruberto said he stood for a collaborative, cooperative form of government, Bianchi said citizens were being left out.

"The major thing I'm going to work on is changing the atmosphere about the government of Pittsfield," he said. "I think people have felt excluded, like people who have felt their opinions have not been heard."

Ruberto's looking forward to the final campaign: "We're both going to be talking about the future of Pittsfield and that's what I love talking about."

Caccamo was pleased with this showing of nearly 400 votes.

"I think I did very well. It got me name recognition," he said. "Name recognition is the most important thing in politics."

He definitely is thinking about a political career: "I'm going to keep going to City Council meetings, maybe get on a board or committee ... and see if a councilor-at-large seat opens up."

In Ward 4, incumbent Michael Ward blew off his competition nearly six to one. Christopher Connell passed Terry Kinnas by 35 votes for a rematch with Ward in November.

The story was different in Wards 2 and 7, where the challengers overcame both incumbents.

In Ward 2, challengers Peter White and Kevin Morandi knocked three-term incumbent Louis Costi out of the running.

In Ward 7, Anthony Maffucio, whose personal problems with a girlfriend made headlines in the local paper, was trounced by all three challengers. Joseph C. Nichols came out on top, outpolling second-place finisher J.D. Hebert by nearly 200 votes.

The turnout was 27.88 percent, with 7,958 votes cast. There are 28,547 registered voters in the city. City Clerk Linda Tyer said the election went smoothly thanks to the great team she has.

Mayor's race


Nicholas J. Caccamo	Patricia 'Pam' Malumphy	James M. Ruberto	Mark A. Marciano	Rick E. Moon
386	775	2,998	22	54

Daniel L. Bianchi	Paul Kwasniowski	Stephen A. Fillio	Lisa M. Boyd	Jeffrey W. Ferrin
3,540	27	50	43	50

Ward 2 Ward 4

Peter T. White

Kevin J. Morandi

Louis Costi

Christopher J. Connell

Michael J. Ward

Terry M. Kinnas

297

306

198

239

1,271

204

Ward 7


Anthony V. Maffucio	J.D. Hebert	Joseph C. Nichols	Loren V. Paduano
81	256	435	114

Original posting on Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 22, 2009

Mayoral candidate Lisa Boyd sent us a shot of her marking the ballot. Wonder who she voted for?

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — City voters will be setting the contestants for the general election for mayor and in three city wards today.

Of the 10 candidates for mayor, only two will make it to the Nov. 3 after Tuesday's preliminary election; Wards 2, 4 and 7 will also see their multiple candidates narrowed down to two each.

Local radio stations and iBerkshires will be offering results throughout the evening.

iBerkshires media partner Berkshire News Network will be providing coverage from 8 to 9:30 p.m. on Live 95.9, WHUPE FM, with special guest commentator Angelo Stracuzzi, a 25-year veteran of the City Council.

WBRK Radio, AM-1340 offers live preliminary election night results beginning at 7:30. News Director Len Bean will anchor the broadcast with Bob Shade, Sherman Baldwin and others providing analysis and final vote tallies as soon as the polls close. Coverage will include live reports from the candidate’s camps before and after the final count.

Mayoral candidate Dan Bianchi will be host a Primary Night Party at American Legion Post 68, 41 Wendell Ave., on at 7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

James Ruberto supporters can catch him at the Italian-American Club on Newell Street; Pam Malumphy will be at Flavors on McKay Street and Nick Caccamo will be at East Street Cafe.

Polls are open from 8 to 8; voters are reminded that the polling places have changed in Ward 3, Precinct B and Ward 5, Precinct A because of church closings.

Ward 1, Precinct A: Reid Middle School, 950 North St.

Ward 1, Precinct B: Reid Middle School, 950 North St.

Ward 2, Precinct A: Morningside Community School, 100 Burbank St.

Ward 2, Precinct B: Somerset Fire Station, Somerset Ave.

Ward 3, Precinct A: Providence Court, 379 East St.

Ward 3, Precinct B: Egremont School, 84 Egremont Ave.

Ward 4, Precinct A: Herberg Middle School, 501 Pomeroy Ave.

Ward 4, Precinct B: Williams School, 50 Bushey Road

Ward 5, Precinct A: Masonic Temple, 116 South St.

Ward 5, Precinct B: Fire Station, 331 West Housatonic St.

Ward 6, Precinct A: Columbus Arms Housing, 65 Columbus Ave.

Ward 6, Precinct B: Conte Community School, 200 W. Union St.

Ward 7, Precinct A: Fire Station, 54 Peck's Road

Ward 7, Precinct B: Capeless Elementary School, 86 Brooks Ave.

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

RIBCO Supply

Check out our great lineup of Boss Plows, and spreaders. 2 Locations Clarksburg & Pittsfield!

ribcosupply.com

Apply Today!

0% APR* Introductory Rate for 12 months for new cardholders. Click to learn more! Insured by NCUA.

www.greylock.org

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Your Comments

iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.

Go JD!
from: Pat B	on: 09-22-2009 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

thanks for great coverage/results reporting.
from: bee	on: 09-22-2009 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Its funny how the candidate speaking the truth comes out in last place. Yesterday's debate was cemtered on the 3 favorites and every times one of the other 7 candidates wanted to speak, they were ingored and the inucumbent when way over the time limit. I think the debate from yesterday should be done over, the other 7 candidate werent given a fair shot. Our city of Pittsfield is DOOMED!!!!!
from: pittsfield resident	on: 09-22-2009 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Congrats to the winners! Now to keep the city moving forward!
from: ljg	on: 09-22-2009 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

I hope that the residents of Pittsfield remember how much of a mess this city was in before Jim Ruberto came along and gave us hope and more than that, he was action-oriented and has delivered! Great coverage on iBerkshires.com, thank you.
from: Pittsfield Resident	on: 09-23-2009 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

of course the "official" politicians win...oh well, I guess the city gets what it gets. I would also like to point out that according to PCTV Jeff Ferrin got 103 votes, so I don't understand why it is only showing he got 50. Who has the real numbers? I also have to say, I'm very impressed in how well Nick Caccamo did. He should be proud of himself. Editor: Our numbers came from the city clerk's office. Some media outlets had people reporting directly from the polling stations; sometimes mix up happens.
from: unfair	on: 09-23-2009 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

It amazes me even to this day that Maffuccio blames headlines from his personal life caused him to lose the election. He himself as a public servent representing the taxpayers abused his authority as an official calling on the police dept. Filling a false report of a stolen car knowing that his girlfriend had and is a user of his car. She wasnt coming home so he lied about the car. He is the one that opened his big mouth that his girlfriend has a problem. Did he ever report her drug use to the detectives? He is so ashamed of himself that he reports on the tv that he lives on robbins ave. Hello he left his wife and child and bought a 2 family home right around from his family. I havent seen much professolisum and trutfulness coming out of his actions. There has been numerous visits from the police and just because he asked her to drop the charges, he is claiming unclean hands? It's time for an honest chance for his ward. Buck and face your defeat like a real man Maffucio. You need to give respect in order to recieve respect. Stop sneeking around trying to ruin people lives....You are not good leadership. Look in your own gutter.
from: Pittsfield taxpayer	on: 09-23-2009 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

PEDA Site 9 Preparation, Member Retirement

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
03:40PM / Thursday, December 18, 2025

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The redevelopment of Site 9 for mixed-use in the William Stanley Business Park is set to take off.

Edward Weagle, principal geologist at Roux Associates, gave an update on the yearlong work to the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority last week.

"It's been a real pleasure for me to work on a project like this," he said. "This is kind of like a project of a career of a lifetime for me, and I'm very pleased to see that we're just at the finish line right now. My understanding is that all the documents are in front of the commissioner, waiting for her to sign off."

Mill Town Capital is planning to develop a mixed-use building that includes housing on the site. Roux, headquartered in Islandia, N.Y., was hired assist with obtaining grant financing, regulatory permitting, and regulatory approvals to aid in preparing the 16.5-acre site for redevelopment. Approximately 25,000 cubic yards of concrete slabs, foundations, and pavements were removed from the former GE site.

Once the documents are signed off, PEDA can begin the work of transferring 4.7 acres to Mill Town. Weagle said the closing on this project will make it easier to work on the other parcels and that he's looking forward to working on Sites 7 and 8.

PEDA received a $500,000 Site Readiness Program grant last year from MassDevelopment for Sites 7 and Site 8. The approximately 3-acre sites are across Woodlawn Avenue from Site 9 and border Kellogg Street.

In other news, the state Department of Transportation has rented the east side of the parking lot for CDL (Commercial Driver's License) training. This is an annual lease that began in September and will bring in $37,200 in revenue.

Lastly, the meeting concluded with congratulations to Maurice "Mick" Callahan Jr. on his retirement.

Callahan is a former chair and a founding member of PEDA, dating back to when the board was established in the 1990s. He has also served on a number of civic and community boards and has volunteered for many organizations in the Berkshires. He is the president of M. Callahan Inc.

"The one thing that's been a common denominator back is that you've always put others before yourself. You've served others well. You've been a mentor to two generations of Denmarks, and I'm sure many generations of other families and people within this city," said board Chair Jonathan Denmark. "We can never say thank you enough, but thank you for your services, for the creation of this board, your service to the city of Pittsfield, and to all the communities that you've represented and enjoy retirement."

"It wasn't always easy to be in the position that you were in Mick, but you handled it with so much grace, always respecting this community, bringing pride to our community," member Linda Clairmont said. "I could not have accomplished many of the things I did, especially here for this business part, without you all of the Economic Development discussions that we had really informed my thinking, and I'm so grateful."

Callahan left the team with a message as this was his final meeting, but said he is always reachable if needed.

"I also have to say that a lot of great people sat around this table and other tables before the current board, and the time that I had with Pam [Green] and Mike [Filpi] sticking around, the leadership of this mayor [board member Linda Tyer], and it really, it was always great synergy," he said.

"So don't be afraid to embrace change. And you know, you got a business model. It's been around long time. Shake it up. Take a good look at it, figure out where it needs to go, and you're lucky to have leadership that you have here."

View Full Story