PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Tom Bowler became the county's first new sheriff in 32 years on Tuesday night.

Bowler, a Pittsfield Police detective and one-time assistant deputy superintendent at the House of Correction trounced North County's longtime state representative Daniel Bosley.

Bowler was greeted by more than 200 supporters at his victory party for sheriff at the Crowne Plaza. The crowd cheered enthusiastically as the returns came in. Not surprisingly, the Pittsfield native was supported by his city, which cast 5,070 ballots in his favor against Daniel Bosley, who polled 1,717.

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To the Editor:

In an ideal world the position of sheriff of Berkshire County would require that applicants apply and the most qualified person would be selected for the position.

Fortunately, we do have a candidate in Tom Bowler, who clearly would be the most qualified applicant regardless of the process. His background in law enforcement and public service makes him the prime candidate to be our next sheriff.

Please mark Tuesday, Sept. 14, on your calendar because this is a primary race and the winner will be decided on this date. Please join me and cast your vote for Tom Bowler,

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Tom Bowler, candidate for Berkshire County sheriff, on Wednesday proposed expanding existing programs at the Berkshire County Jail and House of Correction in a comprehensive new effort to assist children whose parents are inmates at the jail. The new initiative is aimed at breaking the cycle of incarceration.

The program would feature collaboration with social service and mental health agencies, as well as a strong emphasis on existing youth and recreational agencies. The focus of the expanded programming would be on both the offender and their children.

"The older I get, the more I realize that the greatest gift given to me during my life was the foundation

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College, in collaboration with the Pittsfield Gazette and Pittsfield Community Television, will host the following debates Monday evening, Aug. 30, in K-111 on BCC's main campus. Seating is first-come, first-served and voters are invited to attend one or all three debates

The first event will begin at 6 p.m. with a debate between Democratic candidates Paul W. Mark, Noreen P. Suriner and Thomas S. Szczepaniak, who are vying for the nomination for representative for the 2nd Berkshire District.

Michael F. Case and Rosanne M. Frieri, the Republican candidates for the 2nd Berkshire District, will begin their debate at 7.

Jenn Smith, reporter

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The two candidates hoping to rope the job of Berkshire County sheriff came out swinging on Monday night in their second debate. The 90-minute face-off at Conte Community School drew cheers and a few jeers from the crowd of more than 100 as the two Democrats tried to convince voters what a sheriff should be made of.

Thomas N. Bowler and Daniel E. Bosley last met in June in the first of four scheduled forums before the Sept. 14 primary. The candidates covered familiar ground on Monday night, hitting hard on the themes they've developed over the past few months. But it's been clear from the start that voters will be

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