Letter: Support Tara Jacobs for Governor's Council

Letter to the Editor05:00PM / Tuesday, November 01, 2022Print Story | Email Story

To the Editor:

I watched the recent District 8 Governor's Council debate held by NEPM and other Western Massachusetts media outlets. The dialogue between Democrat Tara Jacobs and her Republican opponent laid out stark contrasts, and a difference in vision beyond simple party affiliation. To summarize:

Tara: Find the best people for our judiciary and encourage them to apply for positions.

Opponent: Just vote on who is presented. The Governor's Council is not an employment agency.

Tara: Work with the executive, legislative, and judiciary to advocate for equity, justice, and other important issues in our district.

Opponent: Why reinvent the wheel? It's been around for 4 billion years.

Tara: Work with community leaders, judicial advocacy groups, and the legal community to get a full picture of a nominee's history, impact on the community, and fitness for a specific position.

Opponent: Forego the opinion of informed and knowledgeable people and just use "common sense" because "experts" have caused inflation.

Tara: Use bail, pardons, and commutations as tools to serve justice and help worthy people succeed.

Opponent: If you are convicted, or even accused, of a crime, you shouldn't have put yourself in that position to begin with.

Tara: Running for Governor's Council as a next step to advocate for justice and equity after more than 15 years serving her community.

Opponent: Running for Governor's Council because of a misguided grievance against a a judge he thinks violated their oath of office, even though he can't articulate exactly how, or even what that oath is (hint: check the state constitution, Chapter 6, Article 1). Perhaps using only "common sense" instead of actual informed opinion, doesn't always lead one to make the best decisions.

The choice here is clear. Tara has ability, intentions, and integrity to work with both government and community stakeholders to help make Western Massachusetts a better, safer, and more just place to live, work, and visit. The honorable sheriffs of Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties all agree that Tara is the better choice and have endorsed her candidacy, and I do as well.

So I encourage you to vote on Nov. 8 for Tara Jacobs under the heading of "Councillor, Eighth District."

Thomas Bernard
North Adams, Mass.

Bernard is a former mayor of the city of North Adams.

Tags: election 2022, endorsement,

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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
12:37PM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.

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