To the Editor:
Can Great Barrington reduce plastic use without dividing our community into “us and them?” Maybe.
I’m thrilled that we are trying to lead by example to reduce plastic waste. I would love to be thrilled that we are leading by example to unite rather than divide. We can do that if we listen to each other and address, rather than dismiss, the very real concerns brought up on both sides of the water bottle debate.
Rather than vote yes or no on Monday night, let’s extend the deadline of the ban far enough out to solve some of the problems it will create. We have nothing to lose.
We all want to reduce plastic waste. Can we do it without hurting the small businesses and the sports booster clubs that WILL be hurt by the ban?
Can we address the real inconvenience or cost we will be putting on people who will occasionally forget their reusable bottles?
Can we do this and still address the very real environmental catastrophe we are all helping to create?
Yes. Our town can drastically reduce plastic waste (of all kinds, not just water bottles) in a way that is supported by the whole community. There are options; I’ve heard several suggestions already.
If we vote on Monday to delay the implementation of the ban to some time after the May town meeting, and if we agree to really address the concerns on both sides rather than telling each other “your concerns are petty,” we can come back to town meeting with a plan that will have broad support.
If we vote yes or no on Monday, whatever the outcome, it will be close and our community will be divided. That’s what happened in Concord, the town that wrote this bylaw. We can do better.
If I’m wrong, the ban is still in effect and we can argue with each other at the next town meeting about ban or repeal. If I’m right, we’ve done something incredible
Ed Abrahams
Great Barrington
The writer is a member of the Great Barrington Selectboard.
