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.

Dalton Will Warn Commercial Vehicles Off Orchard Road

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — Now the Orchard Road has been paved, the neighborhood is facing a new problem — commercial vehicles. 
 
The road, which is often used as a connector to Route 9, was plagued with potholes and flooding because of its undersized drainage pipes. This past summer, the Highway Department had it repaved and added sidewalks. 
 
Since then, the road has seen an increase in tractor trailers cutting through from Route 8 to Route 9, during which they have been using their Jake brake, resident Carrie Thomson wrote to the town. 
 
"This is happening all hours of the day and night. Prior to the road being done it was never a problem, I have lived here for over 10 years without an issue until now," she said in her email. 
 
A Jacobs Engine Brake uses a truck's diesel engine to slow down, thereby reducing reliance on brakes. The engine releases compressed air into the muffler, causing a loud sound "brrr" sound. 
 
Thomson proposed the town post signage saying "no Jake brake usage" on multiple spots along the road. 
 
She acknowledged that it may be difficult for the Police Department to enforce the signage because the incidents happen at random times throughout the day. 
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