Daniel Bosley, center, speaks with MCLA President Mary Grant and her husband, Jim Canavan, at a subdued gathering at Taylor's after the representative conceded defeat in the sheriff's race.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — For 24 years, Dan Bosley has been working on educational initiatives, community programs and big budgets — very big budgets. He'd hoped to translate those skills into the sheriff's office but it wasn't to be.
Voters overwhelmingly backed Tom Bowler's bid to become the first new sheriff in 32 years.
"I had a tough job," said Bosley at his gathering at Taylor's Restaurant. "I had to explain what the sheriff did and then explain why I was the best candidate, while the other person just said, 'I'm the best candidate.' "
Bosley said he'd called Bowler earlier to congratulate him and offer his support. "I think he ran a great race."
The candidates agreed on a number of things but diverged most prominently on the function of the job. Bosley defined it as public safety; Bowler, a Pittsfield Police detective, as law enforcement. He gained the endorsement and active support of local law enforcement agencies, the district attorney and the corrections officers. Saying the sheriff is a lawman and not a warden fit with the voters.
Condolences from a supporter.
"I think the voters were more interested in security, more interested in putting a lawman there," he said. "And the voters have spoken."
Bosley had hoped to counteract Bowler's grip on Pittsfield with a higher turnout in Northern Berkshire. "I just couldn't crack that Pittsfield market," he said. Turnout was high enough in Pittsfield to give Bowler the advantage but not enough in North County to make a difference for Bosley, who won both Williamstown and North Adams but not Adams.
With a new representative selected on Tuesday in Gailanne Cariddi, the man whose name was once bandied about as a potential speaker of House has options open for the first time in years.
"I really have no idea what I'm going to do. I focused on this race and now tomorrow I'm going to focus on something else. ... well, I'm going to focus on some things my wife said I absolutely have to do," he laughed. "I'm a pretty talented guy, I'm pretty smart and I'll find something to do."
He decided to leave the Legislature because it was just time, he said, not because of any of the reasons many have speculated on, including his loss of stature with the new House speaker.
"It's been 24 years. I've done everything I've set out to do," said Bosley, referring to his work in education, insurance and green jobs, his efforts on economic development bills and in making Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, the science center at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and the reconstruction of the Hadley Overpass a reality. "I'm grateful for the support I had and we accomplished everything."
All but one bill he's been working on for a decade. Bosley doesn't think that one will ever happen but he plans to spend the next three months on tying up his two dozen years of service and transitioning everything over to Cariddi as smoothly as possible.
"I'm going to work hard until Jan. 3 and then, hopefully, I'll be down there to see her sworn in; I'll applaud and I'll leave.
"It's been a privilege serving the people of Berkshire County for 24 years."
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I am so sick of hearing people bash Dan with the retirement factor, pension, etc. Give me a break. The guy has been nothing but terrific for north berkshire and ran to make the county sherrif position a better one. He has been elected BY THE PEOPLE for over 24 years. He must have done something right folks. This Sarah Palin type attacks in America just have to stop at some point. Stop the whining. Yes he lost and good luck to Tom Bowler and congrats to him but Im sick of people attacking peoples character when they have no clue. I would vote for Dan for whatever position he decides to run.
Only if Bowler and his cronies take down their "Illegaly" placed signs too!! Thank god this race is over. I hope the Bowler supporters will be open when he fails miserably as Sheriff!
I can't wait for Tom to back his word and hire the 10 guards that were laid off. All that "extra" money from the shrinking budget will help. Good Luck Tom, hopefully your sister is going to help bail your butt out!
That is really funny, you just referred to Tom Bowlers sister as a man. Looks like you are fool here Tom. I hope Pudgy knows that you called his sister a man too, LMFAO
Dan Bosley has been a superb public servant for the people of North Berkshire for 24 years. All of you who say he was only in it for the pension likely voted for Bowler, which is fine. He won fair and square and ran a very good campaign, and I'm sure he'll be a good sheriff. He will also, as a police detective in Pittsfield and now Sheriff, retire with a fully vested state pension. So, if your vote was based on that idiotic perspective, welcome to Club Hypocrisy. And to the poster who said Dan only won because he was "the only choice" for over two decades... there's a reason for that - no one challenges those who do good jobs. Thanks, Dan, for all of your hard work for all of us - even the naysayers among this crowd - for the past 24 years.
Why do we even have a county sheriff? The state was supposed to do with county government over a decade ago yet we still have it. This is just another example of taxpayers money being used to give people jobs with Big Government.
I'm not sure why people disagree with this point. It is a fact. This is nothing towards Mr. Bowler nor Mr. Bosley. County government was supposed to be abolish back in the '90s.
The sheriff is the only "LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER" who reports back to the people, by election!And you would like to get rid of it! By giving him up the position it would go to the state and this would make the Government bigger! Get out of berkshire county and go to the eastern part of the state and see what a real sheriff does! Barnstable,Plymouth,suffolk,essex are all doing what the sheriff should do!
No one said he was only in it for the pension. He lost all of his political clout and was relegated to a mere rank and file rep after DiMasi was indicted. He had served for 24 years and deterined that was enough. Now to the pension. If he lost a race, state pension law says that he would be able to collect his pension immediately, not having to wait until age 62 to take his pension. Oh and the free State health care for life is also a nice little perk. It's over. He served the district and now will move on to something else. But to attempt to decieve the voters is wrong.
By "no one" you must mean "no one but Bowler supporters," because I heard the "he's only running to add to his pension" comment from a lot of them. I'd hardly call it no one. And when I would tell those Bowler supporters that Tom will collect just as much, they'd either say they didn't realize that or would say "that isn't the issue." So, a lot of "no ones" did say it, and they're wrong. If Dan was running for Sheriff only to pad his pension, then why wouldn't he have just run for re-election? He would have been unopposed.
Agree or not, most of the deregulation and letting banks and companies get away with murder was done during the Bush years and causing a terrible economy. Obama was handed a mess and yes its not turning around as quickly as hoped but I'll tell you what, I'll take the Democrates putting regulations on banks/companies anyday instead of G.W. Bush type politics. If the Democrates didnt take over only a short time ago, we would be in a depression. Bosley actually helped bring back alot of regulations so the average american can afford things.
Deregulation of the power industries in MA. About 10 yrs ago? That's OK. I'm sure most of the population doesn't even know what happened. Regulated power co.s had to sell off their generating assets to private co.s to create a "competitive" market. Dan spearheaded this through the state house and promised lower rates and a huge influx of new industries into the state due to this cheap power. Check out how it worked in California. Here in MA the private co.s came in, laid off 60% of the work force, forgot about maintaining facilities, and because there is no real competition have fixed prices and created power shortages to create these prices.It's just run the generators till they break. How does $50 to $900 per MW sound on the wholesale market to you? And notice how it takes a lot more time to restore your power because multible co.s are dealing with an infrastructure that was once maintained by one. Power co. shareholders were thrilled to unload their generating plants at a huge profit and it's a sure bet they were very appreciative of Dan' efforts on their behalf. Do you know who your buying your power from? It's not National Grid and they probably aren't even based in the U. S.
Dan, has been a tremendous public servent for 24 years and Ms. Cariddi has large shoes to fill in Boston and the 1st District. Thanks for everything that you have done for the community, district and my family!
It's a shame that the run for Sheriff didn't end in a victory for you. You truly deserved it and were the right man for that position. I know that you will easily find work and you will take it on with dignity and class, as always!! Best of luck!!
Please stop with the 'Dan' was qualified for sheriff tirade-NOT! Let it go, it's over! He was never qualified for the position no matter the arugment you make! Thanks for your time in Boston, Mr. Bosley, please accept a gracious good luck in your future endeavors from one of your opponent's supporters...time to move on...for all of us.
Who is qualified to be a sheriff ? If the sheriff we had for 32 years could do it, many people in the county would make good sheriffs. The current sheriff was a teacher and a politician. Bubba, you sound like a bully looking for a new job at the jail or doing road details. I'd enjoy knowing what you are qualified to do - probably not much.
My clear memory of Bosley is an arrogant man who had no apparent reason for his arrogance. He once told a local program that he didn't care about cuts to day care-his wife stayed home. Time for him to stay home now.
As someone who has known Dan for a very long time, I can assure you, he would never have said he doesn't care about cuts to anything. The above statement is an outright lie. The voters of Berkshire County may not have thought he was the right person for the sheriff's position, but saying he doesn't care is ridiculous.
Despite all of the very negative comments on Dan Bosley's legacy of public service, facts speak for themselves. For 24 years he served as our State Representative. In that time he had either no opposition or token opposition at most. He was re-elected each and every time. When he initially announced he would step down and take the job with the Governor's office a few years ago, a host of qualified candidates started throwing their names into the ring. When he announced he was not taking the job and was running for re-election every one of them dropped out. If he had decided to run for re-election this year, no one would have opposed him. Those facts speak a lot louder than any words. Dan was re-elected so many times because his constituents were happy with him. Enough of the hateful comments. Bowler won, congratulations to him. Gail is the next State Rep, I didn't vote for her but she'll do just fine, I'm sure. Let's move on, people.
Dan Bosley lost the election for a number of reasons. The first is that the people did not feel that he was qualified to be a Sheriff. The next is the feeling that Dan has become to much of a Boston "fat cat" who over the years had changed to the ultimate career politician. The third downfall in loosing votes was and is, his allegiance to former Mayor John Barrett. This certainly lost him votes esp. in North Adams. People have indicated that this connection was one of the reasons for supporting Dan's opponent.
Lastly and most important is the fact that Tom Bowler had a magnificent and superior organization That coupled with his outstanding record as a law enforcement officer and wide circle of friends gave him a large edge over his opponent. Voters wanted a law enforcement officer and not a glorified social worker running the House of Correction.
It appears that a new era has dawned on the Berkshires and the old closely knit political gang is going out of business. Results will be more openness and better government for all.
It would appear your observational skills need adjustment, maybe thicker glasses will help. Bosley lost because Bowler is from Pittsfield and a well respected police detective there, Pittsfield is where the heaviest majority of the vote was, and South County barely voted at all in this primary. It's math, plain and simple. It's also obvious that the majority of the voters felt, as Bowler did, that the job required a law enforcement background and not a political one (this time - remember, Mr. Massimiano was not law enforcement before becoming sheriff). As for your attempt to blame John Barrett for Dan's loss, that's just plain ludicrous. If that was going to be a factor, then why did Gail Cariddi win the Rep race in a convincing fashion in both North Adams and Williamstown? She is a major supporter of Barrett and has never made a secret of it. Why would the same voters in North Berkshire using your "Barrett mentality" say it applied to Bosley but not to the Rep race. I think most would agree the position of State Rep is far more important to North Berkshire specifically than the sheriff's office. I really do wish the Barrett haters would move on - he LOST, okay, we get it! Dick is the mayor and he's doing a pretty good job, so please stop obsessing about Barrett and making him the reason for all things you don't like.
Yes, it is time to move on and the sands of times are pointing to a new and improved Berkshire County with new leadership being demanded by voters and citizens of this county.
Dear MaGoo, Why did Ms. Carridi win despite being a major Barrett supporter? Precisely for the reason I voted for her, to get her off the council. It will help the new mayor and council continue trying to straighten out the mess Herr Barrett left.
Give the man some credit, he has pulled more money into our district than any other representative before him. So enough with the name calling and show some gratitude.
Kind of concerned with the election of Gail Carriddi as State Representatives. Although the Eagle and Transcript gave her their endorsements and blessings her record clearly shows that she has not been a strong and/or effective political leader on the North Adams City Council.
Give her credit for community efforts but as for political leadership the question is of concern.
to all you bosley fans, dont worry you might get another chance to vote for him.the rummer on the radio election night is that he will now run for mayer of north adams.im glad i live somewhere else.
People, settle down! Bowler won the race because he ran a great campaign. We wish him success as Sheriff. Whether Dan or Tom were "qualified" to serve depends on your expectations of the role of Sheriff. Law enforcement or Corrections? Law endforcement won out, but Tom will be fine as he learns the job. Most people will never know the breadth and depth of Dan's influence on legislation over his tenure; suffice it to say that North Berkshire and the entire county benefitted from his hard work and political savvy. Good luck Tom, good luck Dan.
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