Monday, November 9, 2026

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Viewpoints

JOHN BREASTED: The Great Barrington Selectboard’s credibility gap

Transparency does not require officials to reveal legal strategy. It does require them to tell voters when the town has been sued.

LEONARD QUART: Sound and silence

New York is a dynamic, vibrant city, but one whose constant clamor allows, at least in Manhattan, few moments of serenity. Some people love the din.

SOUL SUPPORT: Don’t worry

Very timely Soul Support from Deb Koffman.

Complacency in face of racial bigotry is intolerable

Aren’t these opportunities perhaps the most important way we have to educate ourselves and our children, to nurture the love and dissolve the hate? Knowing your community has your back makes all the difference. 

SOUL SUPPORT: Take another look

Take Another Look There are so many ways to look at the world. Why choose just one way? Experiment. Look at your life, your relationships, your art, your health, your place in the world, in a different way.

Vira Vira Equinox: Brain game

Political commentary from Vira Vira Equinox.

Lake Garfield Preservation District is fair, democratic

In his letter to the editor, Richard Jaffe of Monterey writes: The Lake Garfield Preservation District is not a government within a government. Its sole powers are restricted to collecting taxes voted on by the proprietors within that District.

Why I oppose the Lake Garfield Preservation District

In her letter to the editor, Carol Edelman of Monterey writes: “This act provides that a small group of citizens, essentially owners of lakefront property, will have rights that townspeople as a whole will not.”

Run away from home Saturday night

In his letter to the editor, Ed Abrahams, president of the Friends of the Great Barrington Libraries, writes: “Our new film series, called First Saturday Documentaries For Everyone, will be shown at the Claire Teague Senior Center.”

Explaining Donald Trump: Ten ‘expert’ theories

It seems Trump has enabled the Big Thinkers to make fools of themselves by creating one questionable theory after another to account for his unexpected rise in popularity.

Lake Mansfield needs to be family friendly, safe

In her letter to the editor, Leigh Davis of Great Barrington writes: “A new path which separates driver from non-driver would also promote fitness, socialization, reflection, and, as in my case, encourage new families to move to the area.”

Invitation to a Women’s Creation Circle

In her letter to the editor, Maia Conty writes: “When women come together in a culture of care, respect and empowerment all kinds of totally awesome stuff happens that benefits everyone!”

Lake Mansfield Road upgrade is environmentally unsound

In his letter to the editor, William Foster writes: “I feel that the recommendation for the road to be one-way is very short sighted. The people that have built this town to be the “Best Small Town in America” have done so with few problems using the lake road.”

Lake Mansfield: A generational asset or an issue of convenience?

In her letter to the editor, Sharon Gregory writes: “This is a facility for the community-at-large. We receive partial funding from other government sources and environmental trusts. Thus, the Town does NOT bear all the costs.”

Task Force urges approval of Lake Mansfield improvement plan

In her letter to the editor, Christine Ward writes: “We respectfully request the Select Board endorse/adopt the comprehensive Lake Mansfield Recreation Area improvement plan as provided in the KZLA report. It is a balanced, expert report.”

COMMENTARY: Word Play

Donald Trump was handed a lump of money from his Father and still managed to achieve four business bankruptcies, stiffing contractors in Atlantic City, bilking would-be students at Trump University.

Vira Vira Equinox: Vira’s Manifesto

Vira Vira Equinox issues a 13-point declaration of her intentions.