“The retreat brings people together, builds community in the forest, gets participants outside and off their screens, and uses nature sustainably to heal and inspire minds and souls,” stated Great Mountain Forest Executive Director Michael Zafros. Retreat registration closes on July 30.
In their letter to the editor Peter and Ellen Brewer write: “Steve has great communication skills, knows how to negotiate, and can deal with conflict.”
In their letter Paul and Carolyn Ivory write: “Steve has served our town with great distinction as a member and chair of the School Committee and Selectboard.“
Add it all up and you have a savvy, enterprising woman who brings people together to get things done. That's the kind of leadership we need to see more of.
A financial betrayal of trust by a town employee, let alone one empowered to help collect and safeguard residents’ tax payments, is a bitter pill for any community to swallow.
The current membership is dedicated and effective. Their effectiveness is especially remarkable given that the town faces "diverse risks over a large geography." Burger does a commendable job of collecting and managing data.
Housatonic Water Works Co-owner Jim Mercer explained that there is no threat to public health. Nor does the unilateral administrative order from DEP state that there is such a threat.
"I don't think this is good for Great Barrington. I think we already have conflicts with the other two towns over the school and I don't see this as bringing it together.”
-- Ed Abrahams, commenting on Selectman and School Committee Chair Steve Bannon also becoming Selectboard chairman.
At 33, Kate Feuer Burke represents a much-desired but disappearing demographic in town: a young professional with children who brings new vision and energy to the board.
In her letter to the editor Lucinda Shmulsky writes: "Daniel Doern also has special skills and diplomatic leadership qualities that can bring diverse interest groups to a unified consensus."
In her letter to the editor, Kathy Staropoli writes: "She always has the best interests of the residents in mind and is the hardest worker I have ever met"
In her letter to the editor, Brandee Nelson writes: “The Selectboard’s proposed zoning amendment inappropriately takes siting control from the Planning Board. This is unnecessary because the Selectboard will already have primary local control for marijuana establishments.”
"Sometimes the easiest thing to do is cut some of the lowest hanging fruit but sometimes it's a matter of taking a bigger picture and stepping outside and seeing what can be done for the community as a whole."
-- Local businesswoman Ilana Siegal, addressing the Selectboard on proposed cuts to the town libraries
