The worthiest enemy of authoritarianism is authority. But who are the authoritative heroes available to us, and to the younger generations in particular? Who speaks a truth that everyone can get behind?
In her letter to the editor, Marcia Arland writes: “Plastic is cheap to produce and convenient. But what is not figured into this equation is the overall cost to consumers, communities, the environment.”
The approval of the plastic water bottle ban from residents at the annual town meeting followed a lengthy and impassioned appeal at the annual town meeting from three Monument Mountain Regional High School students.
Rome was not built in a day. Banning the sale of single-use plastic bottles is a start. It builds the momentum begun by Concord, and creates a model for other towns to emulate.
In her letter to the editor, Carol Diehl writes: “I will be signing the petition to repeal the ban because I am convinced it is more symbolic than effective, puts an undue burden on local retailers, and was determined without sufficient education and deliberation.”
Almost everyone I know already brings a reusable water bottle to school (many in bright colors or covered in fun stickers), and I don’t foresee the ban changing our day-to-day life in any way. In fact, I don’t see this being a major detriment in any way to most citizens of Great Barrington.
In her letter to the editor Tara White writes: "When you consider the vote to ban only water bottles, consider what you may be taking away from others."
If it passes at town meeting, the GB On Tap program intends to provide additional drinking fountains and bottle refilling stations throughout town. In addition, it will help participating merchants and restaurants offer refillable water bottles for sale.
