Participants will learn concrete steps that they can implement at a low cost to improve their web presences and search engine results in order to thrive in the upcoming business environment.
Tag: Adam Hinds
In the wake of ‘devastating’ COVID-19 pandemic, officials and nonprofit executives see opportunity
Hinds said Berkshire County might see a more aggressive reopening schedule than other portions of the state because of the county’s sparsely populated rural landscape.
Reeling from COVID-19, South County towns and schools ‘pivot,’ brace for the worst
Invariably there will be other problems that we can’t even foresee, in part because hard data is difficult to come by.
Business Briefs: Play reading fundraiser; ‘Reopening the Berkshire Economy’; Greylock promotions; new Hancock Shaker Village trustees
The panel will share perceptions and observations on reopening the Berkshire economy, including points of caution, notes of optimism, and hard facts as they look at what an information-driven reopening timeline could and should be for the region.
Hawver, self-described ‘pit bull,’ runs for third term as selectman
Hawver was a commercial banker for 23 years and, after retirement, ran a bed and breakfast in Sheffield with her late husband, Cliff. She now runs her own tax preparation business out of her Park Lane home.
Business Briefs: Norman Rockwell Museum grant; emergency response funding; health care fundraiser; virtual nonprofit town hall; UPSTREAMING launch
Nonprofits share many concerns related to COVID-19, including short- and long-term sustainability, and the desire by those not on the front lines to help in some way.
Bits & Bytes: WBCR update; ‘Spring into Reading’; students advocate climate legislation; Mountainside telehealth screenings
“Spring into Reading” is the Great Barrington Libraries’ community-wide initiative to help residents whose experience of the COVID-19 pandemic has been coupled with economic and food insecurity.
News Brief: Egremont Democratic Committee to hold caucus
The caucus is open to all registered Democrats in Egremont, and the Egremont Democratic Committee welcomes participants.
Sticker shock: Options for upgraded East-West passenger rail link between Berkshires and Boston range from $2 billion to $25 billion
A penny on each dollar collected by the state’s 6.26 percent sales tax (excluding meals) goes to fund the MBTA. That means Berkshire County residents fund the MBTA with every purchase, even though the MBTA’s services do not extend beyond Worcester County.
EYES TO THE SKY: Berkshires losing stars to light pollution, more each day: Contact your legislator now
While quick to light up our world, we have not only been oblivious to polluting our skies, but are discovering that light pollution is having deleterious affects on human health and the health of our environment.
Supporters for home rule on Great Barrington horse racing take their fight to Boston
Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, D-Lenox, said he is “personally very optimistic” about the chances of the petition passing in one form or another.
Hearing on Great Barrington home-rule petition on horseracing set for Jan. 27 in Boston
It is not clear precisely when the home-rule petition hearing will begin. There are 10 hearings starting at 1 p.m. and the Great Barrington hearing is seventh on the list for that afternoon.
VIEWPOINT: Residents organizing written, oral testimony to support home rule on horseracing
Senate Bill 101 provides that horse racing licenses in locations that previously were granted commercial racing licenses would need no further approval from the municipality. In Great Barrington, that would mean neither the selectboard nor the citizens would ever have a vote.
A public education funding update from Sen. Adam Hinds
As part of an investment in rural communities, Hinds and his colleagues recently pushed through a $1 million supplement to a $1.5 billion school aid package. “Rural” is a category that’s slowly being replaced by the more inclusive “Low and Declining Enrollment.”
Eagle Mill receives more historic tax credits; developers apply for millions more
The project will revive and expand the defunct historic mill site in downtown Lee into a combination of office space, both market-rate and affordable rental units, a hotel, and a “public market” with multiple restaurants and food kiosks.
GB, South County Year in Review: Of mergers, bridges, cannabis and ‘blood money’
In the spirit of reflection and self-examination, herein lies The Edge’s second annual Great Barrington year in review. It includes some select stories from other South County towns as well, along with embedded links to Edge stories for more information.
Home rule petition on horse racing officially filed as legislation in Boston
“I do not not anticipate any issues whatsoever to get the home-rule bill through. We’re a home-rule state. Whatever the town wants, I am for.” -Rep. William “Smitty Pignatelli, D-Lenox
What’s next for Great Barrington’s home rule and horse racing?
In a letter to the editor, members of Citizens Concerned About GB Horseracing write, “Although that clear message has been sent, there is a simple next step that citizens can take to be sure that the home rule petition becomes law, and not just a message.”
NEWS ANALYSIS: Internal policies debate exposes rift on Great Barrington Selectboard
Leigh Davis openly questioned why her fellow board members wanted to revise certain policies and whether they were a response to actions she has taken since her election to the board in May.
News Briefs: Education task force planning effort; Harrington backs ‘People’s Justice Guarantee’
Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington supports the “People’s Justice Guarantee” resolution unveiled by U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Dorchester.
Town Hall Briefs: Ailing bridges, traffic nightmares and other tales of woe
Whether one lane of the Brown Bridge is closed during construction or whether it is shut down altogether, the construction will be a major disruption to traffic, especially considering the fact that the town-owned Division Street bridge was closed by the state in the second week of September.
Its funding threatened by the FCC, community television looks to reinvent itself
Looming over everything from funding to programming is a recent decision by the FCC to allow cable companies to, in effect, significantly reduce funding for public, educational and governmental channels.
News Brief: New Ashford presents town flag to state officials
New Ashford’s flag was presented to the Bureau of the State House during Wednesday’s ceremony in the Great Hall of Flags, which serves as the largest function room in the State House.
Activists file home-rule petition on horse racing, as questions are raised about selectboard policy changes
But there is a workaround for local control. The project would require as many as three special permits from the town.
Tech Startup Weekend promises ‘three-day frenzy of business model creation’
After 54 hours of intense work, teams pitch to a panel of judges from the most innovative and impactful companies in the Berkshires and from Techstars. Business leaders and mentors are on hand to share insights and experience through the entire weekend.
Alan Chartock: I Publius
Now we have a better understanding about what racing does to horses. It’s a bad idea.
Bits & Bytes: Clinton Church restoration kickoff; ‘Kohelet’ at the Mahaiwe; ‘Creative Aging’ on Beacon Hill; STEAM Challenge Night; Red Cross blood drives
Close Encounters With Music will kick off its 2019-20 season Sunday, Oct. 27, with the American premiere of Andre Hajdu’s ‘Kohelet’ for four cellos narrated by film, stage and television actor Sam Waterston.
News Brief: Mass. Senate unanimously passes Student Opportunity Act
School districts across the Commonwealth will benefit from updates to the existing Chapter 70 funding formula, along with increased state investment in other vital education aid programs such as transportation, school construction and renovation and special education.
Horse racing could have severe environmental impact
In a letter to the editor, Bob Meyers writes, “According to the EPA, the types of animal waste pollutants discharged by Sterling Suffolk Racecourse threaten human health and the environment.”
Animal cruelty, local control doomed Hinds’ sponsorship of horse racing bill
“Over the past few weeks I have met, spoken with, and received testimony from many in my District who are concerned with this proposal: either because they do not support horse racing as an industry, or because they are concerned with the legislation as it is currently drafted.” –Sen. Adam Hinds, D-Pittsfield
Hinds should respect the will of Great Barrington re: horse racing
In a letter to the editor, Connor Diehl writes, “Sen. Hinds claims to be fighting what he calls “Big Money,” himself being the bullhorn for big money to come into Great Barrington while simultaneously eroding at our democratic institutions.”
South County cable advisory panel urges Healey to sue FCC over rules changes
The Five Town Cable Cable Advisory Committee voted to send a letter to state Attorney General Maura Healey urging her to take legal action to reverse a decision made last month by the FCC that local access channels say would devastate their funding.