Friday, February 14, 2025

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

Leslee Bassman

A seasoned journalist, Leslee Bassman has made a career out of her passion for local community issues, first in Central Texas and now in the Berkshires. The former editor and reporter with Community Impact Newspaper was also a contributor to the Austin American-Statesman’s suburban editions, among other western Travis County publications. She received two National Newspaper Association awards, moderated a local candidate forum, acted as presenter for a civic group’s annual meeting and authored the book, “The Rotary Club of Austin Celebrates One Hundred Years of Service Above Self.” An attorney by trade, Bassman transitioned into the newspaper business to keep citizens better informed as to government actions and events in their neighborhoods. This mother of two grown daughters currently resides in Dalton with her husband, Rob, and Ella, a beloved, freckle-faced Setter mix. Bassman was recently appointed to the Dalton Cultural Council and serves as its treasurer. When she doesn’t have a notebook and tape recorder in hand, you can find her on the pickleball court, hiking one of the area’s beautiful trails or knee-deep in mud pulling out pesky weeds from her gardens.

written articles

Lee residents lambast General Electric over cleanup transportation plan shortcomings

Housatonic Railroad Company offers a glimmer of hope for those advocating for the use of rail to transport PCB-laden material to the UDF in Lee.

Lenox residents plead with Select Board to join Rest of River towns opposing truck transportation

Officials say that joint conversations with Great Barrington, Lee, Sheffield, and Stockbridge have already begun.

Stockbridge shutters bid to expand propane facility

The meeting drew ire from residents adjacent to the industrial site.

Dalton Community Recreation Association honors its centennial with free programs Nov. 6–10

Pickleball, drumming cardio class, community dinner are among the activities offered.

A trip through Wiseacre Farm

Led by co-owner Jon Piasecki, The Berkshire Edge recently toured Wiseacre Farm in West Stockbridge, but only a stone’s throw from Richmond. Here’s what we found out.

West Stockbridge Select Board seeks to cultivate peace between marijuana grower and neighbors

The Select Board asked that Wiseacre Farm produce written odor mitigation plan and an odor expert review "sooner than later."

Lenox approves disbursement of Rest of River reserve funds

“We certainly don’t want to be the last town to move forward with this; we want to act on this as soon as possible,” Town Manager Christopher Ketchum said.

Stockbridge, West Stockbridge weigh in on real estate transfer tax

Great Barrington nixes issue for October town vote, but Lee may take up the proposal in the future.

Lee official responds to interview with representatives from the EPA

Lee Select Board Chair Bob Jones: "Nobody wants to make a peep because the other towns feel like they’ve dodged a bullet, which is why they don’t want to talk to Lee. But, ultimately, everybody’s going to pay for it if this landfill goes in over an aquifer ... These are all unaddressed issues and we’re trying to force that conversation.”

West Stockbridge to move forward with first street projects

The town is applying for state grant funding for safety and traffic calming improvement projects.

Stranded in the Berkshires: Tourists can’t count on buses, rideshares, or taxis

According to 1Berkshire President and CEO Jonathan Butler, transportation in the Berkshires has been problematic for decades. “We have drastically underfunded public transportation in rural communities in Massachusetts, the Berkshires certainly being one of them,” Butler said.

Finding a way to celebrate local unsung heroes

All of the individuals considered in this year’s award process are “worthy and [have] done so much for the community,” Berkshire United Way President and CEO Tom Bernard said. “It’s really thinking about people who have made an impact in the community, who have a history of being involved and engaged and giving of their time and their talents in all kinds of ways."
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