Pittsfield Election: Nomination Deadline Passes

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — There will be a number of races in the November election after the deadline to submit nomination papers expired last week.
 
There will be a four-way race for mayor, which causes a preliminary election to narrow the field to two. On the Sept. 22 preliminary, incumbent Daniel Bianchi will be challenged by City Clerk Linda Tyer and Donna M. Walto, who has run in the past, and Craig Gaetani. Eric Bassett had taken out papers but did not return them to be eligible for the ballot. 
 
For City Council at-large, incumbents Kathleen Amuso, Churchill Cotton, and Melissa Mazzeo with be challenged by former Councilors Peter Marchetti, Joseph Nichols and Peter White, and newcomer Tayor DiSantis. 
 
Newcomer Tammy Ives will challenge Lisa Tully in Ward 1. Ives lost a bid for the position in the last election when Tully defeated incumbent Christine Yon. 
 
Newcomer Michael Merriam is challenging incumbent Kevin Morandi in Ward 2. Ward 3 incumbent Nicholas Caccamo  and Ward 4 incumbent Christopher are both running unopposed.
 
Former Councilor Richard Scapin is up against Donna Todd Rivers in Ward 5, where incumbent Jonathan Lothrop opted not to seek re-election. Devon Grierson had taken out paper but did not return them to be eligible for the ballot.
 
Ward 6 incumbent John Krol is running unopposed. Two others, Bryan Jones and Bruce Wood took out papers to oppose him but did not return them to be eligible for the ballot.
 
Ward 7 Councilor Anthony Simonelli is being challenged by Kathy Lloyd.
 
Nine candidates are seeking six spots on the School Committee. Those are incumbents Joshua Cutler, Cynthia Taylor, Katherine Yon, Pamela Farron, Daniel Elias and Anthony Reillo; and newcomers Richard Backer, Salvatore Frieri and Irwin Moiseff.
 
Former City Clerk Jody Phillips will be unopposed to fill the seat being vacated by Tyer for her run for mayor. Resident Aurelina Peguero had taken out papers but did not return them.
 
The deadline to submit papers for certification was on Friday, July 24. The eligible candidates now have until Aug. 7 to submit those certified papers to the city clerk to be placed on the ballot.
 
The candidates have until Aug. 11 to withdraw. The drawing for placement on the preliminary ballot will be on Aug. 13.
 
Residents who are not registered to vote have until Sept. 2 to register for the preliminary and until Oct. 14 for the general election. 
 
The preliminary will be held on Sept. 22 from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. and the general election will be on Nov. 3 from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Tags: #PittsfieldElection,   election 2015,   

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North Adams Man Indicted on Murder, Arson Charges

Staff Reports
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Darius Hazard was arraigned in Berkshire Superior Court on Thursday on two counts of first-degree murder related to deaths of his parents last November. 
 
Hazard, 44, pleaded not guilty to the charges and to a third charge of arson of a dwelling house.
 
He is being held without bail at the Berkshire County House of Correction, where he has been housed since Nov. 25. 
 
Hazard is accused of assaulting his parents, Donald Hazard, 83, and Venture Hazard, 76, on Nov. 24, 2025, and setting fire to the family on Francis Street. 
 
The bodies of his parents were discovered in the home by firefighters. 
 
North Adams Police said Hazard allegedly confessed to the assaults and the arson when he was taken into custody that day.
 
Hazard was initially arraigned in Northern Berkshire District Court on Nov. 26 and was to appear for a pretrial hearing on March 3. That hearing was postponed but he was indicted March 23 on the felony charges and his case removed to Berkshire Superior Court. 
 
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