To the Editor:
I live and vote in Stockbridge, own property in Sheffield, and work, shop, and volunteer in Great Barrington, so for the purposes of this discussion, please consider me Switzerland!
I am writing in reference to the special permit process for the 79 Bridge Street Hotel project which endangers the historic Searles School.
As we go forward in this public discussion on various forums and media, I ask that we take a moment to think about how to proceed in an effective manner. And that we engage in this public discourse with respect to all concerned.
The Mahida team, after all, is doing what is truly American, engaging in our free market capitalist economy and running a business. The volunteer town boards are doing their best to interpret the laws and bylaws and to follow the legal requirements of public meetings and public hearings and do what they believe is best for the town. The community is showing up for the democratic process and making their opinion heard as is their sacred right.
We can honor the Mahida team for their business savvy and resources, the town board members for their volunteer efforts, time, and commitment to the town, and the community for their passion as is evident by their presence in this process.
This discussion is taking place on several levels, media, and forums. I hope that these discussions can continue in a respectful manner, and be conducted in the spirit of public debate and discourse. That we all remember that debate should be encouraged and not silenced, and that sarcasm is not a problem solving tool.
Specifically for the upcoming town meetings and hearings these are my hopes:
That the community will be respectful of the Mahida Team and the board, to keep side laughter and comments to a minimum, to take conversation into the hall so that others can hear. That they tailor their feedback to the issues pertinent to the board, process, or forum at hand.
The board members will honor the fact that people are showing up for democracy, and use this process to educate the community, and not to shame participants. That they will do their best to listen, guide, and to limit appropriately.
That the Mahida team remembers that part of a developer’s job is to find the right place for their project and that this public process is a test of that selection and part of the democratic process. That they will respect the community and the boards as they question and give guidance and feedback on their choice.
I think we can easily transfer these principles to the online comments and discussions as well.
As a student of community process and a greater Berkshire citizen, I look forward to participating in this open debate and seeing the process of Democracy unfold.
Beth Carlson
Stockbridge
The writer is a member of Save Searles School.
