To the Editor:

I could spend hours telling you about Cam Cunningham and why he is exactly what this city needs for a Ward 2 councilor. But by now, you likely came to the same conclusion.

If not, I'm not here to persuade you, because I am confident that if you and the residents of ward 2 truly want to make an educated and responsible decision at the voting polls on November 4th, you will reach out to him, have a conversation, or at minimum, you will read his platform, and listen to his interviews and debates:
Website: cam4council.org Email: camcunninghamward2@gmail.com

Cameron and I live in this city because we chose Pittsfield to be our home. We don't have any family here, and the only friends we have are the ones we've made since moving. We truly chose this city because we love this community, and we see the amazing potential here. So to start, I want to thank you for welcoming us to our new home.

Now, I debated if I should write a letter to the editor, I've never done this before. Ultimately, I decided I want to share something deeper with you. I want to share a bit about Cameron as a person, rather than simply a candidate. And who better to hear it from than someone who not only chose Pittsfield to call home, but who also chose Cameron to call my partner! So here goes nothing, my first-ever letter to the editor, a deep dive into Cam Cunningham.

So often in televised debates or radio interviews, the moments we have to get to know Cam are lost to time limits. The focus shifts to policies and action plans, or platforms and procedures. And yes, those topics are important. But there is something even more important that I want you to see. I want you to know the true character of this man, the heart and mind of the person we will be trusting to be our voice for the next two years.

Cam often shares that he wants people to feel confident in the person they vote for. But there's an important point he always adds to that statement; It's easy to agree with what a candidate says about today's issues, but what really matters is who they are when tomorrow's challenges arise.

What Cam means by this is that any candidate can sit on a stage, read a script written for them, and tell people exactly what they want to hear. But not every candidate can truly show you who they are — their intelligence, their compassion, and how they think. Cam wants people to see the way he approaches problems and to know that every decision will come from a place of humility, thoughtfulness, and a genuine desire to do what's best for this ward and for the people in it.

Because it's not just about how someone answers a question on stage. It's about how they think, how they listen, and how they lead when no one is watching. When you cast your vote on Nov. 4, I want you to feel confident that you understand not only where Cam stands on recent issues we've been facing, but also who he is at his core.

Over these past months, Cam and I have spoken with hundreds of our Ward 2 neighbors. Time and time again, I see the same look in people's eyes. It is a spark of recognition that there is something truly special about him. Something genuine. Something steady and good. You can feel it in the way he listens, in the warmth of his smile, in his silly jokes, and in the energy he brings to every conversation.

If you have listened comparatively to both candidates, to not just their ideas but to the "how" behind their plans, then you already know. Cam is the one built for this role. His passion, excitement and intelligence shine through!

But let us move beyond Cam the candidate, because interestingly enough, Cam didn't anticipate running for City Council when we first moved to Pittsfield. But after moving to our new home, we recognized that many of the ways Cam previously served his community were not available here in Pittsfield. Here, Fire and EMS services are career positions, and this left Cam searching for another way to fulfill his deep rooted desire to serve.

Cam often shares a realization he had, that he could simply spend one hour volunteering with a local organization and make a difference. But he has come to understand that he is blessed with a rare skill: the ability to connect people, and solve problems while bringing his community together. Cam has a unique talent for inspiring others to step forward and get involved.

By serving as a city councilor, he can turn that one hour of effort into dozens more by creating an exponential impact through collaboration and leadership. John C. Maxwell says it best: "Leaders multiply. They do more than just add. They multiply a team's collective efforts and achieve extraordinary and unexpected results." This is Cam's gift, and I am fortunate that he has chosen to use it to strengthen our community.

Cam is not the kind of man who steps into politics for recognition or to chase power. He steps into service because it is his nature. It has been since childhood, and I know his commitment to service will never stop.

He was a volunteer firefighter, starting at the age of 17. He expanded his skills becoming an EMT while going to college full time. Multiple nights a week, in the dead of night, he would be woken up to the screaming of his pager, called to a scene of an incident, running without hesitation into a burning building to save lives, or springing into action at the scene of accidents to literally bring someone back to life! Beyond his emergency response contributions, he's the kind of man who keeps hats and gloves in his truck, just in case he meets someone on the street who needs a little warmth. He's the guy who has volunteered at soup kitchens, charity centers, and just about every service event our university offered. He never forgets what it means to give without expecting anything in return.

Cam is a leader … not because I'm sitting here telling you he is, but because people naturally follow him. A time that rings loud in my memories is at Clarkson University, Cam led thousands of students through one of the most difficult periods in the school's history. He negotiated with administrators, fought for student rights, and ensured programs that gave people community (clubs, hobbies, and outlets for identity) were protected. He did that not because he had to, but because he couldn't stand by while others lost what mattered to them.

Every night following whatever the day presents to us, Cameron is that same caring and giving man. He comes home and asks me how my day was before ever mentioning his own. He helps me with my passions, projects and dreams. Sometimes that entails building parade floats or assisting with the million tasks I have revolving around my literacy nonprofit. Other times that is him, planning dates for us that involve baking cookies for the local senior citizens, or buying flowers to share with residents at local nursing homes. These are our favorite kinds of dates, the moments that allow us to connect with our community and give back.

Cam is the man who helped me through my mother's passing to cancer, who became my anchor when life felt unbearable, and who still somehow manages to be the same steady presence for his family, his neighbors, and his city.
So yes, I could tell you about his commitment to Pittsfield, but the truth is, you can already see it in who he is. His character, his energy, and his compassion say it all. You see his love for this city in the way he already serves, in the way he listens, and in the way he lifts others up. Cam doesn't just talk about making a difference — he lives it every single day. I am so lucky to have him in my life, and I know Pittsfield is lucky to have him, too.

On Nov. 4, please make sure you get out and vote for Cam Cunningham for Ward 2 City Council!

Bailee Underwood
Pittsfield, Mass.

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