New Candidates Join Election Slate in Pittsfield
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Two new candidates have taken out papers for City Council in Wards 1 and 2.
Up for election in November will be City Council seats for all seven wards and four at-large seats for two-year terms. All six School Committee seats will also be on the ballot and the city clerk, all of which have two-year terms.
Four ward councilors have announced that they will not seek re-election, leaving space for new leadership in those areas and a changeup of at least a third of the council.
Pittsfield lawyer Kenneth Warren Jr. took out election papers for a Ward 1 bid. Andrea Wilson has also taken out papers.
Ward 1 Councilor Helen Moon announced in a Facebook video post on May 4 that she would not be seeking re-election, citing physical and mental strains over the past two years related to the pandemic and her personal and professional life that led to her decision not to run for a third term.
William Phillips will be joining the race for Ward 2 against Charles Kronick and Nicholas Russo.
Ward 2 Councilor Kevin Morandi stated in January — along with Ward 4 Councilor Chris Connell — that he would not be seeking a sixth consecutive term. The two stated that occurrences during 2020 and the past few years led to their decision.
Restaurant owners Craig Benoit of the Hot Dog Ranch and incumbent Councilor at Large Yuki Cohen have taken out nomination papers for at-large seats. Also taking out papers for at-large is a former mayoral candidate and school resource officer Karen Kalinowsky; retired state police officer and Pittsfield High basketball coach Brandon Michael Mauer; and incumbents President Peter Marchetti, Earl Persip III, and Pete White.
Former Council President Kevin Sherman is seeking the Ward 3 seat. Current Ward 3 Councilor Nicholas Caccamo announced in February that he would not be seeking a fifth term so he can focus on the next step in his career.
James Conant, Courtney Gilardi, and Andrew M. Wrinn are seeking to be on the ballot for Ward 4. Gilardi, who resides on Alma Street, has been an advocate for residents against the Verizon cell tower at 877 South St. since it was erected last summer.
Patrick Kavey has taken out papers for a second term as Ward 5 councilor and Edward Carmel, a member of both the former and current homeless committee, for Ward 6. Ward 6 Councilor Dina Guiel Lampiasi has also taken out papers for re-election.
In Ward 7, Nolan Smith Fernandez has taken out papers to challenge current Councilor Anthony Maffuccio.
School Committee members Mark Brazeau and Daniel Elias have taken out papers for re-election; Katherine Yon, William Cameron, and Alison McGee have not taken out papers at this time.
Newcomers taking out papers for School Committee so far include Karen Reis Kaveney-Murray, Katie Lauzon, and William Tyer.
The last day to submit nomination papers to the registrar of voters for certification is July 16 and the last day to submit papers to the city clerk is July 30.
Tags: election 2021, municipal election,
