Berkshire Delegation endorses Pignatelli

The Berkshire Beacon

Thursday, October 25, 2012

The Berkshire Delegation has proudly endorsed Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli (D-Lenox) for re-election and encourages the voters of the 4th Berkshire District to vote for the “Dean” of the delegation Nov. 6, State Senator Benjamin B. Downing (D-Pittsfield) announced recently.

The members of the delegation have had the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with “Smitty” to fight for The Berkshires and that first-hand experience has shown them what an able and capable leader Rep. Pignatelli is, Sen. Downing noted.

“The Berkshire Delegation endorses Rep. Smitty Pignatelli because we have seen first-hand what his leadership has meant to the entire Berkshires,” Sen. Downing said. “He has worked tirelessly to meet the needs of his constituents and this region and we are all better of for it.

“We hope the voters of the 4th Berkshire District will come to the same conclusion when they go to the polls on Nov. 6,” he added.

“Working with ‘Smitty’ for the past six years, I have seen first hand what an effective advocate he is for the entire Berkshires. He has continually fought for what we need in order to grow jobs in The Berkshires – broadband, investments in public higher education and the arts, support for small towns – and has made sure Beacon Hill hears those needs loud and clear.

“There is no one with which I would rather stand up and fight for The Berkshires than Smitty,” the senator said.

The House leadership has appointed him to the powerful ways and means committee and to the important higher education and arts, tourism and cultural development committees, thus recognizing Rep. Pignatelli’s leadership. His seniority on the last two committees gives him a unique ability to shape state policy to meet the needs of the 4th Berkshire District and all of The Berkshires, Sen. Downing noted.

Rep. Gailanne Cariddi (D-North Adams) of the 1st Berkshire District said: “Working with Smitty during my first term in the Legislation, I have found him to be a leader on the issues, knowledgeable and a collaborator on solutions not just for Berkshire County but across the commonwealth.”

“It has been very helpful to me as a first-term legislator to have an experienced member like Smitty in Boston to go to with questions,” said Rep. Paul W. Mark (D-Peru), the state representative for the 2nd Berkshire District.

“I serve on the higher education committee with Smitty, and I’ve learned a lot by watching his example. I am impressed by his knowledge, dedication, and passionate advocacy for the Berkshires on a subject that is so important for our region,” Rep. Mark added.

“As the senior member of the delegation, Smitty has gone out of his way to show this freshman the ropes,” said 3rd Berkshire Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier (D-Pittsfield). “His seniority and his seat on the ways and means committee serves this delegation and the entire county well.”