Campaign Statement: Morrow Running for North Adams City Council

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Deanna Morrow, a direct care support worker at the Brien Center's Keenan House North, and recent Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts graduate, announced on March 10 that she will run for a seat on the North Adams City Council.
 
Morrow has resided in North Adams since 2018.
 
Her priorities for City Council focus on increasing addiction resources, expanding affordable and accessible housing, and more development in public transportation. She is dedicated to making North Adams a welcoming community, especially for future generations. 
 
In the last decade, she said, there's been a sharp increase in addiction without a corresponding reaction for addiction resources available to the public. 
 
As a young person looking for housing in North Adams, she has experienced firsthand how difficult it is to find an affordable place to live. 
 
As a working adult without a car, Morrow knows how difficult it is to get around North Adams and the Northern Berkshires with the current state of public transportation. 
 
Growing up in Boston, she has seen how the public transportation system has the capacity to thrive and run well. It is important to have  additional routes, stops, and funding within BRTA. She is also excited about expanding the city's bike lanes and encouraging residents to use more sustainable transportation.
 
When asked why she decided to run for City Council, Morrow stated, "Because I want to be more involved in the community's decision making process. I also bring a unique perspective being a young woman, a walker, and a renter. These experiences could be better represented on the council. I know I have spent little time in politics but I believe I have a lot to bring to the table based on experiences I've had throughout my life and career."
 
Morrow grew up in Hyde Park, a neighborhood of Boston, and moved to North Adams to attend MCLA in 2018. In high school, she was very involved in Student Government and National Honors Society, and contributed to her community by organizing blood drives, field days, and
fundraisers. During her sophomore year, her school was on the verge of being shut down, but because of Morrow's tireless efforts in organizing and attending meetings, protests, and walkouts, her school remained open to serve and educate students.
 
During her time at MCLA, Morrow spent most of her time volunteering. She developed a food insecurity program called MCLA Swipes, attended the Days of Service and the Winter Blitz, and gave her afternoons to the MCLA Volunteer Center's after school programming.
 
She can be reached at deannamorrow2023@gmail.com.
 

 

 


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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

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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