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Berkshire Disability Pride Day Legislative Breakfast 2006 |
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 State Representative William “Smitty” Pignatelli remains dedicated in supporting people with disabilities through legislation. On March 31, 2006, Berkshire County Arc, along with many other area human service agencies, sponsored the Berkshire Disability Pride Day Legislative Breakfast at the ITAM Lodge in Pittsfield. Legislators present were Representative Denis E. Guyer, Representative William “Smitty” Pignatelli, Representative Christopher Speranzo and District Aide for Senator Adnrea Nuciforo, Heather Viola. For the many people in attendance the event was an opportunity to exercise legislative advocacy by voicing their concerns directly with members of the Massachusetts Legislature. Salary increases for human service workers, helmet safety for riding bicycles, and other issues concerning people with disabilities were main concerns addressed at the event. All of the legislators and their representatives were open and supportive of the movement to increase salaries for people |
work and advocate for people with disabilities. Many advocates for these workers are advocating for salaries equal to human service employees employed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Honored at this year’s breakfast were the 2006 Honorary Co-Chairpersons: Gene Pelkey, Tiffany Pelkey, and Debra Copeland. Debra is a woman supported by Berkshire County Arc who was nominated to recognize her commitment to her job of 16 years at Jiminy Peak as well as her own personal goals. Gene  Representative Denis E. Guyer was one of several Legislators present at the 2006 Legislative Breakfast. Pelkey currently works full time at Protech Armored Products and is an active member of his church where he sings and plays the drums. His wife, Tiffany Pelkey is also very involved in her community and works at Stop and Shop. The planning committee for this event consisted of Berkshire County Arc, Berkshire Family and Individual |
Resources, Berkshire Area Citizen Advisory Board of the Department of Mental Retardation, Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, Meridian Associates, Sullivan & Associates, Inc., and the UCP Association of Berkshire County.
Sponsors of this event were:
Berkshire County Arc appreciates the dedication and support of all of the agencies and sponsors for making this year’s Berkshire Disability Pride Day Legislative Breakfast a success. This collaboration made it possible for people with disabilities and the people who support them to come face-to face with their legislators. Adams Co-Operative Bank Berkshire Bank Berkshire Life Insurance Company Credit Union of the Berkshires Greylock Federal Credit Union John Williams Legacy Banks Foundation Pittsfield Cooperative Bank Would you like to stay up to date on legislative issues regarding people with disabilities? Visit www.arcmass.org to get more information on what is happening in the Legislature and what you can do to help people with disabilities through legislative advocacy.
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