PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Ty Allan Jackson is running for City Council.
The local businessman and children's author announced his candidacy for an at-large position on John Krol's "Good Morning, Pittsfield" show on Thursday morning. The New York native and author has grown to be a significant figure in the city for his work in promoting literacy among the city's youth. He has also become prominent in the business and social realms.
Jackson is the founder of Big Head Books, which he launched in 2012. His career started in 2009 when he wrote his first book to teach his son about entrepreneurship. The book, "Danny Dollar, Millionaire Extraordinaire: The Lemonade Escapade," has since taken off and has been particularly notable in the African-American community for its approach toward youth about business and finance. It has been reproduced on a number of mediums since.
He has won citations from former Gov. Deval Patrick, former state Sen. Benjamin Downing, and the state House of Representatives. He was the recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Content of Character Award and a Berkshire Trendsetter Award.
Most recently, he launched the Read or Else movement focused on shedding light on the issue of illiteracy. The movement tries to instill a love of reading in children while raising awareness of the connection between illiteracy and poverty, incarceration, unemployment, dropout rates, teen pregnancy, poor health, and more.
Jackson says he stands for supporting and promoting small, local businesses and placing a greater emphasis on arts and entertainment.
Jackson's announcement came just two days after Councilor at Large Kathleen Amuso announced she would not be seeking re-election, opening the door for at least one newcomer to the council. He is the only candidate thus far to announce intentions to seek public office.
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Lanesborough FinCom Chair Resigns After Warrant Approval
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — With a new fiscal year comes new leadership for the Finance Committee.
Chair Jodi-Lee Szczepaniak-Locke officially resigned on Monday and the panel decided that Vice Chair Stephen Wentworth would assume leadership for the time being.
The former chair was brief in her departure, confirming her resignation and leaving, but has previously stated that the decision came from an attendance issue with a member not being resolved.
"I believe in truth and honesty and a lot of you know me and you've known me for years and that's what I think is the most important thing," she said to the Select Board in February.
"So you all can have at this. I am done and I wish you all the best of luck but it's not worth it. It's not worth it to me to participate in this anymore."
Town Administrator Gina Dario clarified that the warrant articles are being finalized and it is possible that numbering could change.
"Certainly, we do not anticipate any changes of a financial impact and nor do we expect any new articles entering the current warrant," she said.
Berkshire Hills County Club is seeking a variance on its pool permit to allow for cost savings on staff members starting next year, including fewer lifeguards. click for more
Voters approved all but one of the 22 articles on the warrant at the annual town meeting on Monday night at Wahconah Regional High School. click for more
The seasonal road closed because of flooding caused by what was initially thought to be from a beaver dam that was located on the Pittsfield stretch.
click for more
The Traffic Commission OK'd additional bus stops and multiple items in the former General Electric neighborhood at its first meeting of the year. click for more
Voters at the annual town meeting on Monday, May 6, will decide 22 articles, including articles on sidewalks and the authorization of a number of spending articles, including an approximate $22 million budget. click for more