Online or by mail: Patrick Thomas White Committee • 81 Hawthorne St. • Lenox, MA 01240
Watch us at the Candidates Forum. Then decide.
Decide for yourself who will make the best leader for the Berkshire 3rd District at the State House.
Patrick White for 3rd Berkshire
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I'm Patrick White, a two-term Stockbridge Select Board member and nonprofit CFO running to represent our 3rd Berkshire District. It's an honor to reach out to you, not just as a candidate but as a fellow community member who shares your concerns, dreams, and aspirations for our home. I've put together a campaign that reflects my commitment to the District and the tangible steps we can take together toward a thriving future for everyone.
Warmly,
Patrick White
Newsletter Articles from the Campaign
I write my content — on this website, in my newsletters, and mailers. These are my genuine thoughts, and I stand by each word.
Feel free to explore a few articles. You'll discover detailed policy positions covering a wide range of topics, demonstrating my commitment to serving you effectively as your State Representative. Use the back button to return to this page.
Here's what I stand for:
- Reducing the Property Tax Burden: I am committed to introducing initiatives to lessen the property tax load on our homeowners, ensuring that our community remains affordable and accessible for all. READ MORE.
- Environmental Stewardship: From forest conservation to green energy, I promise to prioritize our environment, ensuring the Berkshires remain a beacon of natural beauty and sustainability. READ MORE.
- Investing in Infrastructure and Education: I plan to champion innovative approaches to enhance our small towns' housing, infrastructure and schools, ensuring our children have access to quality education and our towns thrive. READ MORE.
- Housing Initiatives: I'll advocate for housing solutions that support young adults, seniors, and working families, making the dream of homeownership a reality for more of our residents. READ MORE.
- Economic Development: Drawing inspiration from successful financial models, I aim to spearhead an economic revival in the Housatonic River Valley, creating opportunities and prosperity for our community. READ MORE.
- Addressing Environmental Injustice: I recognize the mistake of having a PCB dump in Lee and the need for a thorough state-sponsored study of health outcomes for residents affected by pollution along the river. This step is crucial for healing and justice. READ MORE.
- Reconciliation with the Mohican Nation: I will continue reconciling and supporting the nation, respecting its history and rights, and working together towards a mutually beneficial future. READ MORE.
Accomplishments:
I get up daily focused on getting work done, and my track record on behalf of Stockbridge speaks for itself. I have succeeded by forging alliances with the citizens of Stockbridge and surrounding towns.
This campaign allows me to widen my lens beyond Stockbridge and focus on what will benefit the 3rd District. Together, we can face the challenges and seize the opportunities before us.
Taxes and Budget:
Budgets That Benefit Residents
- I have effectively worked to redistribute the tax burden, significantly reducing property taxes for residents by approximately 4% annually by targeting tourist contributions.
- Despite significant investments in infrastructure, I have managed to limit Stockbridge's budget increase to just 1%.
- I followed through on a commitment to voters to focus on developing a sidewalk at Pine Woods, an affordable housing complex, securing approval and funding from MassDOT.
- By personally reviewing two decades of Community Preservation Committee grants, I uncovered over $1.25 million in unused funds, which can now be utilized for the community's benefit.
Housing Initiatives:
Unlocking Homeownership
- Short-term Rental Bylaw: I advocated for and successfully implemented regulations governing short-term rentals, balancing tourism and community needs.
- Housing Trust Proposal: I authored and secured the passage and funding of a proposal at the Town Meeting to establish a housing trust, which would enhance local housing initiatives.
- Residential Inclusionary Bylaw: Developed and implemented a bylaw mandating luxury developers contribute to worker housing, promoting housing equity.
- Workforce Housing Land Donation: Facilitated a collaboration with a donor to provide Stockbridge with a $1 million land parcel specifically for workforce housing development, addressing the critical need for affordable housing options.
Environment Initiatives:
Conservation for Generations
- Ice Glen Preservation: Collaborated with specialists to protect and preserve the natural beauty of Ice Glen.
- Revival of Town Committees: Successfully revived two crucial town committees focused on environmental conservation: Kampoosa Bog and Agriculture & Forestry.
- Land Conservation Grant: Partnered with the Stockbridge Munsee Mohican Tribe to obtain a $2.4 million state grant for conserving 351 acres at Monument Mountain's base, contributing personally to the grant's climate section.
- Climate Advisory Board Appointment: I was recognized for my environmental efforts and named one of only three individuals from Berkshire County to the state's climate advisory board.
Your Contribution, Our Journey
If you believe, like I do, that we can address the seemingly intractable issues we face, please consider donating to my campaign. Every contribution, regardless of size, makes a difference. Thank you.
Online or by mail: Patrick Thomas White Committee • 81 Hawthorne St. • Lenox, MA 01240