The Declaration of Independence makes crystal clear that the Founders fought for the proposition “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed …” Having lost the 2020 election, Donald Trump became the first president in our history to oppose the peaceful transfer of power and to try, in...
People of all descriptions shop at the Pantry and some don’t speak English. The Pantry has translators who can help. When a new client shows up, a volunteer will escort them around and talk about the availability of different items.
Police Chief Bill Walsh, along with Sgt. Paul Storti, presented a recently designed strategic enforcement plan to the selectboard Monday night at the Claire Teague Senior Center.
Town officials say the new cultural district will engage in marketing and communication efforts such as cultural district signage and brochures. District officials will also develop a shared calendar of events and promote downtown activities and businesses.
When the idea of a cultural council was first floated early this year, town officials emphasized that applying for the designation will cost the town nothing and that anyone whose property is included in a cultural district will face no additional limitations on the use of that property.
Town officials say the initiative is consistent with Great Barrington's economic development priorities, which place a strong emphasis on strengthening and marketing the diverse set of cultural destinations in the heart of town.
There was public pressure for a better way to reach the Berkshire Heights interior. The grade-level Castle Street/railroad crossing was extremely dangerous.
Drs. Tony Makdisi and Sukhpal Mann will receive LitNet’s Founders of America Award, which recognizes individuals whose strength of character and commitment to service have improved lives in the Berkshires and beyond.
What started as a heartfelt attempt to save the structure from possible destruction has morphed into a major cultural and civic center that will have activities seven days a week, all year long.
When asked what to do about a long, straight road with lots of children living along it, a Massachusetts Department of Transportation official responded: “Teach the children not to go into the road.”
“I think we have failed in our responsibility to make sure that we’re doing what is not only in Master Plan but is also the appropriate thing to do for a densely populated neighborhood,”
-- Selectboard Chair Sean Stanton
"After hearing about the 8-year-old boy in Adams who was stuck and killed in a 35 mph zone this week, it really drives home just how much difference a little bit of speed can make when it comes to hitting a child or pedestrian. Most of the cars racing by my house right now are going really, really fast.”
-- Dana Coleman of Great Barrington, who lives on Taconic Avenue
It is a particularly nasty stretch. There are several intersections, so amid speeding cars are those that also slow down to make turns onto streets or into driveways. It is a hair-raising area in which to be on foot due to both high speeds and low visibility from a curve to the north — just before the Castle Street intersection -- that often features cars barreling down the hill from Alford Road, making crossing the street dangerous.
The Spot Saver parking program is designed to ease Main Street Reconstruction pain when construction begins in late March. A launch party will be held this Wednesday (February 25) at Castle Street Cafe at 5 p.m.
