Surely, Finance Committee members value longtime older residents, the stability we bring to our neighborhoods, and how our “aging in place” counterbalances ever-increasing home sale valuations.
In her letter Kathy Plungis writes: "Friends of the GB Libraries letter states that they do not endorse specific candidates, yet I feel that they did just that."
In its letter the Steering Committee of Friends of the GB Libraries write: “Cutting the very programs that enrich Great Barrington and attract positive attention to our town is no way to encourage growth.”
Add it all up and you have a savvy, enterprising woman who brings people together to get things done. That's the kind of leadership we need to see more of.
A financial betrayal of trust by a town employee, let alone one empowered to help collect and safeguard residents’ tax payments, is a bitter pill for any community to swallow.
His World War II decorations included the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster including battle stars for the Europe Africa Middle East, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe.
At 33, Kate Feuer Burke represents a much-desired but disappearing demographic in town: a young professional with children who brings new vision and energy to the board.
"Sometimes the easiest thing to do is cut some of the lowest hanging fruit but sometimes it's a matter of taking a bigger picture and stepping outside and seeing what can be done for the community as a whole."
-- Local businesswoman Ilana Siegal, addressing the Selectboard on proposed cuts to the town libraries
In total, of the $222,476 in cuts Town Manager Jennifer Tabakin presented, about $190,000 was approved by the Selectboard and Finance Committee.
"This is a year of real austerity.”
-- Finance Committee Chairman Tom Blauvelt.
Great Barrington has recorded $37 million in new construction in the past year, resulting in permit fees totaling more than $88,000 and new tax revenues of $538,690.
