Consumer advocate and former Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader will speak at Berkshire Community on Saturday afternoon, April 21, at 2 in the college’s Robert Boland Theatre. His presentation, “Challenging Corporate Power and Building Democracy,†is free and open to the public but requires a ticket for admission.
Tickets will be issued on a first-come, first-serve basis through the Office of Student Life in the Susan B. Anthony Center on BCC’s main campus in Pittsfield. Office hours are Monday - Friday from 8 to 4. Tickets may be obtained in-person, by phone or e-mail.
Tickets for walk-in requests will be available beginning Monday, April 9. Requests to reserve tickets may be made now through Thursday, April 19, by calling 413-236-1660, or by e-mailing mzancona@berkshirecc.edu. No more than 10 tickets may be reserved per call or e-mail. Reserved tickets may be held in the theatre’s box office for pickup on April 21. Tickets that are not claimed by 1:50 will be released for walk-in requests.
E-mail requests should include “Ralph Nader tickets†in the subject line. The text of the message should include the first and last name of the person making the request, number of tickets requested, and a statement specifying whether the tickets should be held at the box office or prepared for earlier pickup at the Office of Student Life.
Named as “One of the 100 Most Influential Americans of the Twentieth Century†by Time magazine, and more recently as “One of the 100 Most Influential Figures in American History†by The Atlantic Monthly magazine, Nader began his public life in 1965 with the publication of his book “Unsafe at Any Speed,†in which he accused the auto industry of disregarding their customer’s safety. The Senate hearing into his accusations and the resulting motor safety laws catapulted Nader into the public sphere.
In subsequent years, working with lawmakers, Nader was instrumental in creating the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Consumer Product Safety Commission. He also helped to draft and pass such laws as the Safe Drinking Water Act, Meat and Poultry Inspection Rules, Air and Water Pollution Control, and Freedom of Information Act.
Working to empower the average American, Nader has formed numerous citizen groups, including the Center for Auto Safety, Public Citizen, Pension Rights Center, National Coalition for Universities in the Public Interest, and the student Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs) that operate in more than 20 states.
Recently the subject of the critically acclaimed documentary, “An Unreasonable Man,†Nader is also the author of a number of best-selling books including “Winning the Insurance Game,†“Why Women Pay More†and “Getting the Best From Your Doctor.†More recent books include “Children First: A Parents Guide to Fighting Corporate Predators†and “The Seventeen Traditions.â€
A question and answer period, and a book signing, will follow his presentation. Forum credit is available for BCC students.
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Confederate Vice-President Alexander Stephens once wrote, "times change and men often with them, but principles never!"
However, a poiltician's principles often change based on coming political storms. Hillary Clinton is great example of person who has changed her principles, but Ralph Nader remains true to his timeless principles of good clean government and consumer safety.
If Nader runs consider voting for him, because neither party's candidates owns you so they doon't own your vote. Nader can't steal the votes from Democrats which Democrats do not possess; they must earn them as must any candidate.
PITTSFIELD. Mass. — A cannabis cultivator and manufacturer has opted to sell its products on site in Downing Parkway.
The Zoning Board of Appeals this month approved a special permit for J-B.A.M. Inc. to operate a dispensary out of its existing grow facility. There will only be changes to the interior of 71 Downing Parkway, as there will be less than 500 square feet of retail space in the 20,000-square-foot building.
"My only concern would be the impact, and really would be traffic, which I don't think is excessive, the odor, if there was one, but that doesn't seem to be an issue, and I think it's a good location for a marijuana facility," board member Thomas Goggins said.
The company's indoor cultivation site plan was approved in 2019, an amendment to add manufacturing and processing in 2021, and on the prior day, a new site plan to add a retail dispensary was approved by the Community Development Board.
J-B.A.M. cannabis products are available in local dispensaries.
The interior of the facility will be divided to accommodate an enclosed check-in area, front entrance, retail lobby, secure storage room, offices, and two bathrooms. There are 27 parking spaces for the facility, which is sufficient for the use.
No medical or recreational cannabis uses are permitted within 500 feet of a school or daycare, a setback that is met, and the space is within an industrial park at the end of a cul-de-sac.
"The applicant desires the restructuring of the business to be more competitive in the industry with the ability to grow and sell their own cannabis products so they have more financial stability," Chair Albert Ingegni III, read from the application.
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