Letter: I support Andrew Fitch for State Representative

Letter to the Editor02:00PM / Monday, August 24, 2026Print Story | Email Story

To the Editor:

I am proud to support Andrew Fitch as a candidate for state representative, and to encourage voters in our district to entrust him with your vote in the state primary election on Sept. 1.

When I cast my vote it will be a vote for Andrew Fitch and not a vote against the incumbent. Here's why: Andrew brings experience as an entrepreneur, business owner, public official, community organizer, and advocate to his candidacy. In speaking with and listening to him I know that he will bring a curious, thoughtful, and collaborative approach to Beacon Hill; partner effectively with his colleagues in the Berkshire legislative delegation, across Western Massachusetts, and beyond; take a holistic view of the district as more than just a collection of individual communities; and serve with humility, an open heart, and deep consideration for the people of the district.

Experience and longevity are an asset when they lead to effective representation. When they become an end in an of themselves, they become a liability and evidence that it is time for new representation. That time is now. Andrew Fitch is the state representative we need.

Tom Bernard
North Adams, Mass.

Bernard is a former mayor of North Adams.

Tags: election 2026, endorsement,

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Veteran Spotlight: Coast Guard Capt. Thurman 'Tom' Maine

By Wayne SoaresSpecial to iBerkshires
04:42PM / Sunday, September 13, 2026

MASHPEE, Mass. — If I were to describe the best attributes of this week's veteran, they would be an infectious personality, role model, leader, wonderful family man and a person that leads by example in the very best way.

The aforementioned, are the primary reasons why Thurman "Tom" Maine enjoyed a successful and distinguished military career in the Coast Guard from 1983 to 2014.

Born in North Stonington, Conn., Maine entered the Coast Guard at the age of 21 and was sent to boot camp in Cape May, N.J. His first assignment was at Coast Guard Station in Provincetown, R.I. From 1994 to 1997, he was a helicopter pilot for Coast Guard Air Station at Otis Air National Guard Base and was elevated to operations officer, chief pilot at the base from 2004 to 2007.

During his 31-year career, Maine flew some of the Coast Guard's most elite helicopters; the Sikorsky H-3 (the Coast Guard's last amphibious aircraft), the Sikorsky H-60 (the most widely flown military helicopter in the world) and the H-65 (a smaller, faster helicopter that deploys on ships).

Maine continued to rapidly climb the ranks and in 2009 was promoted as the Coast Guard's liason to the Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, a position he held until 2011. Following that assignment, he was promoted to captain and rose to be the commanding officer at the Coast Guard's prestigious Aviation Training Center in Mobile, Ala.

During his tenure as commanding officer, he suffered a devastating blow when four Guardsman were killed during a night training exercise. He conveyed that his greatest achievement in his entire military career, was the leadership he provided

to his 600-member unit and the families of the fallen Guardsmen, by always being accessible, communicating constantly and holding vitally important family nights.

He said this tragedy, "gave him the ultimate opportunity to live out his faith." He also lobbied intensely for the student pilot who was killed to be awarded his designation posthumously, which he did.

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