Letter: International Women's Day

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To the Editor:

This letter was ignored by the Berkshire Eagle

Friday, March 8, was International Women's Day. Here in the Berkshires, it was celebrated by the Zonta club, an International Women's Leadership organization, by honoring six dynamic women from our community at a special dinner that attracted over 200 attendees.

This diverse group of women has made monumental contributions from coaching young professionals to build careers here to providing over two million diapers to those in need. These women aren't CEOs of big corporations and they didn't develop the latest app. They excelled by giving their time, skills and in most cases their own money for the benefit and betterment of the Berkshires. Their stories are inspirational, serving as powerful testaments of selfless service to guide young girls and women.

On Saturday morning, I sat down with my digital copy of the Berkshire Eagle–our Hometown Newspaper– expecting to read about this event and the special women leaders who are uplifting our community but there was no story or photo. Making headlines was the lead story with photos about “Drag Time Story Hour for our Children.”


I seriously question the Eagle's editorial decision and judgment. How do you ignore this opportunity to illustrate International Women's Day through local coverage of Zonta's six remarkable honorees, from diverse backgrounds and roles, who are leading the Berkshires to build a more equitable, desirable and respectful place to live?

I've met the editor and publisher of the Eagle. He's a smart guy. This wasn't a mistake. I believe this was an intentional effort by our hometown newspaper to advance a political agenda while ignoring real community heroes. Eagle editors have demonstrated irresponsible behavior and a lack of leadership and judgment by propagating a targeted narrative.

Get the focus where it belongs.

Respectfully,

Roger Gibboni
Lanesborough, Mass. 

 

 

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Letter: Pittsfield Court Injustices Against Seniors

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

The Foundation: A Lifetime of Integrity

For over 45 years, I have been a fixture of the Berkshire community. As a professional house painter, I helped maintain the homes of this county; as a self-taught artist and photographer, I contributed to its culture. In the 1970s, my work was exhibited at the Berkshire Museum, where I earned multiple ribbons for my photography.

The Shattered Sanctuary

My retirement in a Section 8-assisted apartment was meant to be my creative peak. For six years, I lived in peace and maintained a friendship with my landlord. That changed in July 2024, when a new tenant and her adult son moved into the unit directly above mine. The son, who had recently completed a four-year prison sentence for robbery, was under house arrest for months.

The noise from above became unbearable, making my creative work and daily life impossible. These neighbors show a complete lack of consideration for others and disregard the basic ethical standards necessary to live harmoniously within a community.

The Weaponization of the Law

Left with no protection from the landlord or the Housing Authority, I was forced to defend my living space. This tension allowed the plaintiffs to weaponize the legal system. The plaintiff’s son successfully petitioned for a restraining order against me. To prevent the order from being dismissed in late December, he fabricated a new allegation: He claimed I was "following him" in my vehicle.

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