Ed Abrahams is chairman of the Great Barrington Library Board of Trustees, and a member of the Selectboard.
After spending many years working as a writer, photographer, visual artist and university professor, Pedro Pachano attended Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation where he received a Masters in Architecture. He has subsequently worked for New York based Acconci Studio, Eisenman Architects, Diller, Scofidio and Renfro and FXFowle Architects (now FX Collaborative). In 2007 he founded
Pachano & Vollert Architects with partner Amparo Vollert with whom he has designed and completed architectural projects in New York, Miami, San Francisco and Bogotá, Colombia. Pachano & Vollert Architecture continues to develop ideas about architecture and urbanism while engaging in innovative energy efficiency and reduction strategies
which encompass century old passive traditions to new cutting edge technologies. Since 2016 Pedro has served on both Great Barrinton’s Design Advisory Committee and Planning Board. Pedro has taught Architecture at Columbia University, The Cooper Union, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Rensselaer Institure of Technology; is a licensed architect in New York, Massachusettes, Florida; and is NCARB Certified.
Tuesday, 21 Jan 2020 - If the solutions were easy, there wouldn’t be problems. This column is a companion to the WSBS-AM radio show, “It’s Not That Simple.” (Listen to the podcast here ) We look at issues facing Great Barrington and explore the question, “why don’t they just fix it?” We discuss the complexities, the competing interests, the less obvious […]
Tuesday, 7 Jan 2020 - We thought at the beginning of a new year, we should give thanks for the food we eat, and acknowledge the hard work it takes to produce that food.
Sunday, 22 Dec 2019 - Our intent with this column and the radio broadcast is to describe the issues and how they do or do not get solved so that we, all voters and taxpayers, can be part of the process. So please, keep the comments coming.
Monday, 9 Dec 2019 - To be clear, the town doesn’t recruit specific industries to town. Rather, it attempts to create the right business and development environment in which businesses can start and prosper.
Monday, 25 Nov 2019 - When boards are making decisions about what “we” want, the first “we” they have to think about is Town Meeting.
Monday, 11 Nov 2019 - We invited two local veterans from different generations of service to help us explore the human experience, not necessarily of combat, but of the act of service itself, the differences between the “society” of the military and that of civilian life.
Tuesday, 29 Oct 2019 - If the solutions were easy, there wouldn’t be problems. This column is a companion to the WSBS-AM radio show, “It’s Not That Simple.” (Listen to the podcast here.) We look at issues facing Great Barrington and explore the question, “why don’t they just fix it?” We discuss the complexities, the competing interests, the less […]
Monday, 14 Oct 2019 - The completion of Clinton Church Restoration will help tell the largely unknown story of African Americans in the Berkshires.
Friday, 27 Sep 2019 - Why are our bridges failing? Whose fault is it and why is nothing done until it’s too late? Not surprisingly, part of the problem is money. It costs $4-5 million to replace a bridge so it isn’t something the town takes lightly.
Friday, 13 Sep 2019 - Every decision that every board makes is made at an open meeting that any citizen may attend. Every meeting of every board includes an opportunity for any citizen to speak.
Friday, 30 Aug 2019 - “Economic development requires taking the long view on progress and having a broad understanding of the elements that contribute. In other words: patience and perspective. Neither of these is simple.”
-- Laura Brennan, Senior Planner for Community & Economic Development at Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC)
Saturday, 17 Aug 2019 - What type of economic development does not bring with it some aspect that some of us find unpalatable? How much are we willing to put up with in order to improve economic opportunities for ourselves and others.
Monday, 5 Aug 2019 - Town Moderator Michael Wise will organize a forum this fall to discuss the Annual Town Meeting format, to seek ideas and consider changes, or possibly to just leave it alone. Please stay tuned to the program for a date.
Sunday, 21 Jul 2019 - By allowing more uses on fewer acres of land we can support more people on the same limited footprint while lowering housing costs and business start-up costs.
Monday, 8 Jul 2019 - All of zoning is the balance between an individual property owners rights and the rights of the rest of the community.
Monday, 24 Jun 2019 - This column is a companion to the WSBS radio call-in show, “It’s Not That Simple.” Every other Friday at 9:05 we will discuss and dissect issues that the citizens of Great Barrington are talking about. Click here to listen to a podcast of last week’s show. * * * Have you ever […]
Monday, 10 Jun 2019 - We’re all familiar with Reid Cleaners. It’s been vacant, deteriorating, and toxic for years and it sits right in the middle of our downtown.
Tuesday, 6 Oct 2015 - In his op-ed article, Selectboard member Ed Abrahams writes: "Now is the time to influence the decisions about the hotel. Come to the meetings and give opinions."
Wednesday, 18 Mar 2015 - It isn’t fair to sit on the sidelines and say, “Why don’t you cut, why are my taxes so high?” unless you can say what you are willing to do without. Here’s your chance. Come on Tuesday, March 24, and tell us.
Wednesday, 8 Oct 2014 - In the actual world we live in with the actual options before us, there is no better option available than the one on the ballot. That is true financially (for which we have facts and numbers) and educationally (for which I am trusting the educators, administrators and community volunteers who worked on the plan for the past eight years).
Monday, 12 May 2014 - Local politics isn't about politics. It’s not about Democrats or Republicans. It’s not about slogans. It’s about working with others and sharing ideas and getting things done.
