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Tyer Trumps Bianchi To Win Pittsfield's Corner Office

Linda Tyer claimed victory Tuesday night during her celebration at Hotel on North. See more photos from election day here.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It was a victory party at the Hotel on North as the city's newest mayor — and the first to win a four-year term — was feted by supporters.

LInda Tyer clobbered incumbent Daniel Bianchi by 2,159 votes on Tuesday night, earning 60 percent of the city's vote. 

The unofficial tally is 6,661 votes to 4,502.

"I am overwhelmed with gratitude and just honored that the people of Pittsfield came out in a clear and very remarkable way to support this campaign, said the city clerk. "It's a privilege and an honor to be entrusted with the responsibility of  leading the city of Pittsfield for the next four years.

"I take it very seriously and I'm really ready and eager to get to work making our city ready for good things to happen."

The Tyer campaign had been relentless in pointing to perceived shortfalls and mistakes in the Bianchi administration, had mounted a social media blitz and press conferences to ensure voters wouldn't forget the former city councilor at the ballot box.

"I didn't expect the margin to be as big as it was ... I think it speaks to the message and tenor of the campaign," she said.  "We won fair and square."

Tyer knows elections after having served as city clerk since 2009. She was appointed by former Mayor James Ruberto, and shared many of his supporters in this past campaign.

While turn out at 41 percent was consistent with past elections, "the biggest distinction for this election is the margin of victory," she said. "That has not been our past history."

Indeed, nail-biter margins have been the norm, with Bianchi winning his first term for two years in 2011 by only 113 votes.

"I really also think it's a generational difference," Tyer said. "Mayor Bianchi and I were distinctly diff in very many ways and I think Pittsfield respnded to that."

Tyer sees a charge from the public in her victory, one for a four-year term under the new charter, as well as the election of councilors in tune with her priorities. She hopes to use those four years to work on long term planning, and develop a "modern government that's meeting the modern needs of our city."

She added, "When people with a common message and a common theme and a common belief about the city are elected, I think that is an important message that we have to a acknowlege and work together to really deliver to the city of Pittsfield."

Among those messages are take crime and blight seriously, and to work collaboratively with other elected officials and organizations. She says that will include Council President Melissa Mazzeo, a strong partner of Bianchi who was re-elected. Sometimes the council and mayor have been at odds, she said, but "I intend to be a collaborator and I extended that to them."

The mayor-elect said Bianchi had reached out to congratulate her and had spoken briefly about setting up a transitional team.

"But tonight we're ready to celebrate," she said.

Bianchi was taking defeat gracefully at the 7 Grill on Winter Street, the former Mazzeo's Ristorante.

"Obviously nobody likes to be in this position, but in politics, you have to be prepared for any eventuality," he said. "That's the just the reality of political life."

He thanked his many supporters and especially his wife, Theresa, and gave a nod to City Council President Melissa Mazzeo, saying they had worked well together.

"I know how hard everyone worked over the last couple months you gave up a lot of your life for this campaign, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate it, and each and every one of you," he said.    

Bianchi encouraged his backers to remain engaged in the community and to make Pittsfield a better place to live.

"There are so many people in this room who have stepped up to the plate, not only for me but for the city of Pittsfield," he said to a loud round of applause. "We were up against it. .... We have to look at all the good things we got done ... and continue to make Pittsfield a safer place and a better place."

He said his proudest accomplishments were getting the stalled Taconic High School project moving and the development of the Berkshire Innovation Center.

"I think between the high school and the innovation center, we are going to be creating opportunities for our small businesses," he said. "But we're also going to be creating opportunities for little kids who may never have had a chance to have a break in life."

The two-term mayor couldn't resist a shot at the victor's campaign, saying they'd had him in their sights for awhile.

"My opponent had a crew of people who spent the last couple of years not being terribly truthful," he said. "They did their job and we have a local newspaper .. they've been gunning for me for four years."

Still Bianchi offered some advice for the incoming Tyler, who will have four years before she'll have to face a challenger.

"Being a city mayor can be one of the toughest jobs in the world but it can also be the most gratifying," he said. "I wish her success because her success will be the city's success."

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