Letter: Blackmer Has Experience 1st Berkshire Needs

To the Editor:

I am writing to express my support for Lisa Blackmer and her priorities for our cities and towns. Why do I support Lisa? She has the experience working with these issues that the 1st Berkshire District needs in Boston.

Lisa's plan for our cities and towns addresses some of the critical issues they face: overreliance on property tax revenues, unfunded mandates, and costly services. Her plan to support new funding avenues, regionalization of some services, and smart programs like the senior tax work off, is comprehensive and detailed.

Lisa has been working in municipal government for several years. She has a hands-on experience with these issues that gives her a unique knowledge of the issues facing our cities and towns. As President of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Lisa worked across the aisle as an advocate for our cities and towns. In doing so, she helped bring millions back to Western Massachusetts through the governor's "pothole" funding.

In North Adams, Lisa has been a leader on the city council for 10 years. I have enjoyed working with her. While on the city council, Lisa has chaired the finance, public safety, and community development committees, served as president for two years, advocated for restructuring the Department of Public Safety, and helped create the youth commission.

Our communities need an advocate with a vision and the experience to make it happen in Boston and Lisa is the right choice for the job. A vote for Lisa in October is a vote for a strong voice for our cities and towns.

Wayne Wilkinson
North Adams, Mass.

Wilkinson is a North Adams City Councilor

DiLego Jewelry to Close After Nearly 100 Years in Business

By Daniel MatziBerkshires correspondent
05:28AM / Tuesday, May 07, 2024

Sisters Pamela Costine, left, and Cynthia Lamore have been operating the store since their aunts retired in 1987. Both started working in the business as teens.  Lamore's decided it's time to retire. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — DiLego Jewelery Store, the family-owned business that has been a staple of North Adams for nearly a century, will be closing this summer. 

 

The closure was announced on the store's Facebook page late Sunday night, where it immediately drew comments of remembrance and well-wishing.

 

Cindy Lamore, whose great uncle Frank DiLego opened the store on Main Street in the late 1930s, said the shop will cease operations following her retirement, slated for June 30. A 20 percent off Mother's Day sale will begin immediately, with increasing discounts leading up to the closing date.

 

It took Lamore "a couple of years" to reach the decision to close. Witnessing the passing of lifelong friends or their struggles with debilitating illness prompted her to reconsider her priorities, especially considering the extensive time devoted to running a small business. 

 

"You really question what you're waiting for," she reflected.

 

While recognizing that changing consumer habits have led to a decrease in jewelry and watch sales in recent years, Lamore stressed that her decision to close was a personal one. She and her business partner and sister, Pamela Costine, wanted "to do it on our terms," she said.

 

Comments on Facebook praised the store's customer service, and friends, family, and customers alike reminisced about buying jewelry for special occasions, stopping in for watch repairs, and the perennial rite of childhood for many: getting ears pierced.