Adam Hinds, Rinaldo Del Gallo and Andrea Harrington answered questions about Berkshire County’s big issues: economic development, school transportation funding, population decline, the opioid epidemic, affordable housing, a deficiency of high speed Internet, and environmental issues like pipelines and the Housatonic River cleanup.
In her letter to the editor, P. Keyburn Hollister writes: "She is a woman whose entire life has involved breaking glass ceilings. Her endorsement by the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus speaks volumes."
Ballotboxtees.com, The Berkshire Edge, The Berkshire Record, and the Great Barrington Democratic Town Committee are sponsoring a fast-paced, quick-response forum.
In her letter to the editor, Janet Pumphrey of Lenox writes: “Andrea [Harrington] has the perfect background, training and intelligence to excel at the job of legislating.
In his letter to the editor, Fred Clark of Housatonic writes: "Adam Hinds is the best equipped to continue the work that Senator Ben Downing and Representative Smitty Pignatelli have started because he has already been working on the issues of employment, health, addiction and other issues of concern to Berkshire County.
In her letter to the editor, Rachel Branch of North Adams writes: "Attorney Harrington has no illusions about those of us living on only Social Security and the compounded effect the loss of cost of living increases created, and the wall of impoverishment many seniors face."
In his letter to the editor, state Senate candidate Adams Hinds writes: “Education is at the center of who we are: it reflects our investment in the next generation. Successful pre-K - 12 education is central to workforce development and retaining and attracting residents.”
Del Gallo supports the decriminalization of marijuana, along with changes to the economy as a crime-reduction method rather than an increase in law enforcement presence or the building of more prisons.
“Do we spend time attracting big industries, or should we make sure the small to medium manufacturers have what they need?”
--- State Senate candidate Adam Hinds
The agriculture bill provides opportunities and protections to current and prospective farmers throughout Massachusetts, increases access and availability of locally grown food products, and invests in educational and agricultural programs to further grow the industry.
We need a comprehensive, community approach that links law enforcement and the medical community with mental health professionals and accessible treatment.
“We must drive every last [opioid] dealer out of this district and send them packing back to where they came from.”
-- Attorney Andrea Harrington, Democratic candidate for state Senate
