“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.
According to calculations by Finance Committee Chairman Michael Wise, progressive property tax reform would cut 11 to 20 percent off the property tax bills of 80 percent of the town’s households.
"After hearing about the 8-year-old boy in Adams who was stuck and killed in a 35 mph zone this week, it really drives home just how much difference a little bit of speed can make when it comes to hitting a child or pedestrian. Most of the cars racing by my house right now are going really, really fast.”
-- Dana Coleman of Great Barrington, who lives on Taconic Avenue
Great Barrington native and painter Eunice Agar, 81, has been painting since she was 13, developing a style that she describes as "painterly realism." Earlier in her career, she was the managing editor at American Artist Magazine in New York, and later a contributing editor
The fervor and message of what appeared to be a polarizing controversy that centered on the town’s frustration with increasing property taxes and the inability of local incomes to keep up, did not seem to fuel election outcomes this time around.
We have two great candidates for selectboard in Sean Stanton and Bill Cooke who have proven themselves to be good public servants. They can bring a community with diverse opinions together rather than trying to divide. The fact that these candidates are men does not make them unqualified.
In his letter to the editor endorse the candidacies of Bill Cooke, Sean Stanton, and Will Curletti, Ed Abrahams writes: "What I like about Sean Stanton, Bill Cooke and Will Curletti is that they are reasonable people with good judgment who listen to others before acting. All three of them get along with nearly everyone, and none of them are coming with a political agenda. They want to listen, to find ways to ease the tax burden, and to encourage economic development to broaden the tax base."
The town’s annual election will be held Tuesday May 12, in an election that could determine a significant change in the focus of town leadership. There are contests for the four open seats on major town boards, two on the Selectboard and two on the Finance Committee. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
In his letter to the editor, John Hart of Stockbridge observes that the town's Police Department budget has doubled, the salaries for the Selectboard have tripled. "Where's Waldo?" he asks.
In a letter to the editor, Dr. Alan Inglis writes: "Sean is a clear, forceful thinker who earns the respect of all who work with him. As an innovative young farmer, he brings unique insight to his Board work . . . and a proven ability to put in the necessary hours."
The Town Meeting narrative: Dark doom filled the auditorium like the sky in Harry Potter. I checked my warrant and understood why: we were now entertaining the Finance Committee’s proposed bylaw to receive “regular and special reports and statements” about town and school district finances. The proposed bylaw was the by-product of a Mexican standoff between committee chair Sharon Gregory and the school district over her requests for detailed reports.
In his letter to the editor, B.C. Smith writes: "Here in Stockbridge, a purged police force is annoying residents with Woop-Woop BEEP bip-bip BWEEP and various imaginary dangers. The Stockbridge Select Board risks losing its way."
Bill seems to be the only candidate to be strongly in support of Michael Wise’s residential exemption tax plan.
Any plan that reduces my taxes will be a real help to me and my family.
Bill represents the interests of young working families in town. He’s willing to discuss the issues with anyone.
In his letter to the editor, Bob Norris of Great Barrington writes: "Please join with me in supporting Walter "Bud" Atwood and Eugene "Will" Curletti for Finance Committee, and Sean Stanton and Bill Cooke for the Selectboard."
