To the Editor:

To the people of ward 1 and the citizens of Pittsfield

I come to you as a concerned parent and citizen of this city. As a matter of fact my family is one of the reasons that I am here tonight. I want people to realize that there is always room for growth and change in our government.

Everyone should have a voice and that is why I want to be your voice of change. A change that is so desperately needed in Ward 1 and through out our city.

Our current government tends to forget that these decisions that they are making have not only affected us as a community but will affect our children in years to come.

I feel that recent decisions made by our council and other administrators have put a heavy burden on fixed and low income families. I want to help lighten this same burden while still being fair to our more financially stable families. Equality in all facets of life is key to making Pittsfield a stronger community.

I would like to share with you some of my thoughts on why you should vote for me on Nov. 3

Improvements in Ward 1: I would like to see better street repair, because whatever type of gravel they use on top of the black top isn't working. The potholes are becoming unfilled after they were already done, and very difficult for drivers of smaller vehicles to drive on. I would like to see the streets being plowed in a timely fashion. The traffic lights need to be examined to see how we can improve driver safety. Especially at the one on North Street and Springside Avenue. There is a lot of difficulty with it. I know what your thinking that what I am proposing is costly however saving a life is priceless plus I am sure that there is untapped state monies. I believe if there is a will there is a way. I would also like to see improved communication between the councilor and the residents.

PEDA: I am very disappointed on the progress or the lack there of . If we as a community want to keep that area than this government needs to allow whatever business wants to come in there to come in. We would be losing revenue because we are being too selective. I feel that we need to look at this realistically. A lot of people may not have the desire or type of education to get these quote-unquote high paying jobs. This is why we have to be open to all kinds of businesses. As a government you are suppose to serve the communities needs. The way I see it is as well as other people see it is a job is a job.

St. Mary's: What a beautiful land mark for this city.It used to be so alive and vibrant. I would love to see it used as something to help and inspire the children of Pittsfield. It would be a terrible and upsetting waste if the Dunkin' Donuts franchise were to get in there. If there must be yet another one than I am sure they can find a different area. If the city can fix up the Colonial Theater through grants and such than why I ask can't St. Mary's be restored and become something beautiful to add value to the city.

Innovation center:  I have heard all of these wonderful things that are suppose to happen once it is completed, but I have as well as everyone else has heard it all before. Just like we did about the PEDA site and all of the other adventures. It always all looks good on paper but I guess we shall have to wait and see what it looks like when it is completed and if it full fills its promises.

Crime: We have heard the expression boots on the ground by several candidates and that just isn't reality. I on the other hand would like to see random patrols through out a 24 hour period throughout the city and not just in problem areas.
I would like to see programs on anti- violence and bullying in the required curriculum for grades 6- 12.

The mentoring program is a great idea and should be offered through out the city, but there should also be more activities and places for teens.

This city is geared toward tourism instead of the residents. I for one would like to see more activities for the winter time. We don't even have the winter carnival anymore.

The neighborhood watch program I feel isn't all that necessary. We should all be looking out for each other either way. It shouldn't be something we just talk about monthly.

Crime and Guns at Schools: This subject is a touchy one. First off thankfully it was found in time, but the question remains is how did it even make it that far into the school. We were so lucky this time, but I have to worry will there be a next time and then what will we do? I as well as others I have spoken to feel that metal detectors would be a start.

I know that that solution sounds expensive but perhaps the city could look into used ones that came from a courthouse or an airport.

Then perhaps train some of the auxiliary people to watch over the machines. There has to be some sort of grants to absorb the cost to an extent.

More Jobs: In a perfect world we would have high end jobs knocking at our door but the fact of the matter is people are leaving the area. We can sit here and wonder why or we can turn this around and open up the possibilities for any kind of business to come in and help our city grow. The people on unemployment I am sure are not saying we will only work at high end paying jobs they are saying find us decent jobs so that they can afford to live here. A job is a job. Wither it is being a person stocking shelves or someone making business decisions. Both types of jobs have to put roofs over peoples heads and food on their tables.

Taconic High School: My answer would have been NO. Honestly I don't see anything wrong with the building and if anything PHS has a lot of structural problems yet that building is staying and is slowly being fixed up a little at a time. Taconic could have been, too. It should have went to the voters. It seems like the city government has gotten out of touch with their residents.

I hear that it will bring in all sorts of school choice. But honestly it takes a lot more than a brand new building to get kids to stay.
School Buses- Again a no vote. Complete waste of money nine times out of ten those school buses are only half full. If the buses were that bad why did they pass inspection? Or why couldn't we get used school buses? Our fire department is expected to get used fire trucks and equipment and those things save lives.

Styrofoam Band- Again a No answer. Don't get me wrong it's not because I am saying there may not be health problems in the future because I don't know just like the people saying there will be health problems can't be sure either. There has just been so many things over the years that could possibly make you sick that if everything were true we would all be living in a bubble.

The fact is that my concern is small businesses and how some might not be able to afford the switch. It may seem like an inexpensive change, but unless we know the financial s to every small business we can't say for sure.

The city government should have waited to see what the state came up with. I thought our goal as a city was to encourage businesses to come here. Not to push the ones we have now out.

Please vote on Nov. 3 and remember Tammy Ives for one a vote for me is a vote for equality.

Tammy Ives
Pittsfield

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