Letter to the editor

Single-use water bottle ban should be repealed

Sunday, 14 Apr 2019 - While I understand there will be people to whom the facts will not matter, and they are going to support this ban no matter what, I can’t change that.

Closing Becket spring: Water abuse

Friday, 12 Apr 2019 - In a letter to the editor, Luke Pryjma writes, "I've heard, in addition to pathology-centric science, the spring was closed because, at a Becket town meeting, certain officials didn't want "those" people stopping for spring water."

Public invited to discuss fate of historic maple tree in Great Barrington

Wednesday, 10 Apr 2019 - In a letter to the editor, Holly Hamer writes: "TOPA Enterprises plans to build an apartment complex there with a driveway and parking area that will kill the tree, which has a drip line showing a root system that stretches 50 feet or more into the privately owned lot."

Green Communities Act: What’s in it for Sheffield?

Monday, 1 Apr 2019 - It can be a win-win for taxpayers – avoid paying for these energy efficiency upgrades and reduce energy bills.

Support radio station WBCR-lp, an essential community-based media resource

Friday, 29 Mar 2019 - In her letter Serene Mastrianni writes: “At WBCR-lp, all voices are heard and everyone has the chance to speak. In fact, if we can successfully move our station to Main Street, then anyone can walk into the studio and be on the air.”

Citizen petition items would ‘protect the right of speech’ at town meeting

Friday, 22 Mar 2019 - In a letter to the editor, Steve Farina writes "The essence of this petition is to ensure that all registered voters have the opportunity to share on any issue brought before the meeting attendees without being shut out by parliamentary procedure."

New proposal for 100 Bridge St. is a bait-and-switch

Tuesday, 19 Mar 2019 - Dense mid-rise housing that has lost its greenspace is not only not acceptable – it’s insulting.

‘Down and Out in the Berkshires’? Not necessarily.

Monday, 18 Mar 2019 - In a letter to the editor, Elliott Morss writes: "Would spending serious money marketing the Berkshires help to spur tourism? Maybe. But maybe we should just carry on and try to avoid 'messing things up.'"

Egremont ZBA proposes unnecessary exterior lighting changes for Egremont Village Inn

Wednesday, 13 Mar 2019 - The current lighting has received no complaints from bordering neighbors

Looking for a few good Reds and Blues

Monday, 18 Feb 2019 - In a letter, Robert Foreman writes: "We both are painfully aware that the way things are going these days, we can’t wait for politicians to make real communication happen."

Dogs and cows both need protection from the elements

Sunday, 17 Feb 2019 - In his letter Ron Majdalany writes: “While both dogs and cows may be capable of survival without protection from the elements, good management practices dictate that neither species should be forced to do so."

Sweethearts stash brings back memories

Friday, 15 Feb 2019 - In a letter to the editor, Nick Diller writes, "When I was a kid growing up in New Hampshire, the New England Candy Company products were all over the place."

Robin’s Candy Shop invests in youthful team members

Friday, 15 Feb 2019 - In a letter to the editor, Robin Helfland writes, "Since opening in 2004, it has been our privilege to work with local students, many of whom experience their first paid employment as members of the Robin's team."

Enough fighting. Lighten up

Wednesday, 30 Jan 2019 - In her letter, Rita Kasy writes: “How about thinking in terms of “supporting” instead of fighting and struggling?"

To once and future leaders: An antidote for divisiveness

Saturday, 26 Jan 2019 - In her letter to the editor Susan Olshuff writes: “This letter is borne both of desperation at our current predicament and of inspiration for what could be.”

Correcting the record: The bottle ban IS in effect

Thursday, 24 Jan 2019 - In his letter Great Barrington Selectboard Chair Steve Bannon writes: "The selectboard did vote to delay the ticketing process for violations of the bylaw until May 2020, for several reasons correctly listed by the Berkshire Women's Action Group."

Nurse practitioners, physician assistants vital parts of health care teams

Wednesday, 16 Jan 2019 - In his letter Dr. Everett Lamm writes: "In today’s health care environment, in nearly all medical settings and not just in rural areas, primary care medicine is increasingly provided by highly qualified nurse practitioners and physician assistants who work alongside physicians in a team setting."

Government shutdown prevents EPA from keeping us healthy

Tuesday, 15 Jan 2019 - "We need strong leadership to strengthen, not weaken, common sense protections that benefit all of us and push a cleaner, greener economy that will simultaneously address an already changing climate."

Berkshire legislators should support passenger rail measure

Monday, 14 Jan 2019 - In his letter James Mullen writres: “Rep. Smitty Pignatelli has been asked to sponsor the legislation, and we look forward to his sponsorship and to having the rest of the Berkshire delegation join him.”

Tiny house zoning revisions

Saturday, 12 Jan 2019 - In his letter Leif Steinert writes: "Movable Tiny Houses could also be constructed by students at the high school, inspected and sold locally."

Stockbridge Fire Department is scammed

Wednesday, 9 Jan 2019 - In his letter, Ray Gardino writes: “You have to be careful about who you are communicating with and what the consequences would be if you were fooled or victimized.”

Arts, relationships can rebuild America’s social infrastructure

Wednesday, 26 Dec 2018 - In a letter to the editor, Anita Walker writes, "The arts and culture are the antidote to what ails us as a nation. In fact, they can both prevent and cure."

Letter to FCC: Keep viability of public access TV stations

Sunday, 16 Dec 2018 - In her letter to the chairman of the FCC, Sheila Irvin of Pittsfield writes: “We would argue that the FCC must rein in the demands of the commercial interests it oversees when those demands conflict with the public good.”

The lessons of Sandy Hook

Wednesday, 12 Dec 2018 - In her letter to the editor Susan Olshuff of Lenox writes: “As we reflect this holiday season, let us honor all victims of gun violence by turning tragedy into transformation.”

Berkshire Museum needs to answer questions

Wednesday, 12 Dec 2018 - In his letter, Warner Friedman writes: “I would like to see some cohesive plans for the future of the museum. Kitchen Kaboom is not enough.”

Local access stations at risk from greedy cable companies

Saturday, 8 Dec 2018 - In his letter to the editor, Jim Balfanz writes: “[Cable company proposal ] will result in our local access stations like PCTV, CTSBTV, and probably every other one in the entire country to go off the air.”

Friendship with Trump supporter is a deal breaker

Thursday, 6 Dec 2018 - In his letter David Schecker writes: “How does a moral person support an immoral liar? Trump, like Ozymandias, may come and go. But he has unleashed forces of hatred and intolerance that will not easily dissipate.”

New rules threaten to put PCTV out of business

Wednesday, 5 Dec 2018 - "We encourage everyone to take action now to protect PCTV."

Solar array would deter tourism

Sunday, 2 Dec 2018 - In his letter Bill Burger writes: “Any benefit derived from additional electricity to businesses will be greatly overshadowed by lessening the tourist trade.”

Restaurant workers endure exploitation during winter season

Thursday, 15 Nov 2018 - In his letter Peter Tiso writes: "Service workers often earn barely enough to keep a car moving legally at all, let alone enough for the extras that make winter driving safer in our climate."

Sheffield Board of Health schedules meeting to address e-cigarette use among youth

Thursday, 15 Nov 2018 - In his letter Dennis Sears writes: "We cannot wait and must take steps now, as e-cigarette use rose 77 percent among high schoolers and 50 percent among middle schoolers so far in 2018."

Local support available for those who wish to quit nicotine

Wednesday, 14 Nov 2018 - In her letter Joyce Brewer writes: "It takes most people with a nicotine addiction several tries to quit for good, so reach out to those who have conquered this addiction and let them know you are proud of how hard they're working to better their well-being."