To the editor:
We first met Leigh Davis in 2012 following a keynote address she gave during a Martin Luther King Jr. birthday event in Great Barrington at the First Congregational Church. Leigh’s remarks told the story of growing up in Washington, D.C. as a daughter of activist parents who taught her the value of working in public service for the wider community at large.
When we introduced ourselves that day to Leigh, we learned she had come to the Berkshires in 2008 as a single mother with three young children. From that day forward, we followed Leigh’s journey in our own wider community (we live in Becket), from working at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center to volunteering at her children’s public schools and with Volunteers in Medicine to currently working at Construct Berkshires, the largest housing nonprofit in South County.
We watched as Leigh ran for her first elected office as a member of the Finance Committee in Great Barrington. Later she ran for a seat on the Great Barrington Selectboard. Today, she is serving as the vice chair.
Since meeting, our paths have crossed numerous times as we all volunteer for our own community. At times, we find ourselves working toward solutions on some of the same issues—environmental action, housing and food security, health care, racial justice, economic development, public education—and so much more. As Leigh likes to say, all of these issues are interconnected and communities must work in a coalition effort—all the way to the State House.
We are both thrilled that Leigh is now seeking our vote in a race to become the next Third Berkshire District State House Representative, representing the 18 towns in the district. We look forward to casting our votes for Leigh Davis at the ballot box on Tuesday, September 3 and during the General Election on Tuesday, November 5!
We urge you to go to leighdavis.org and read about Leigh’s journey and her numerous goals for the Third Berkshire District and Western Massachusetts.
There is no doubt that when we stand together we can make a difference. Once the new State House representative takes office in January 2025, stay involved in the legislative process. We encourage you to stay engaged and in a coalition effort on the many issues that directly impact our wider Berkshire community. The voters and those elected to represent us have distinct common interests. Elect Leigh Davis and send her to the State House for the Third Berkshire District!
Al Blake
Becket
Al Blake is a member of the Becket Planning and Zoning Boards, as well as a Energy Committee volunteer.
Tommie L. Hutto Blake
Becket
Tommie Blake is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Meeting of South Berkshire Board of Trustees, as well as a BRIDGE Builder for Multicultural BRIDGE.
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