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 Board Continues Delay on Mobile Tiny Home Bylaw

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — For nearly two years, Amy Turnbull has been trying to amend the current Accessory Dwelling Units bylaws to include mobile tiny homes. 
 
A movable tiny home is defined as a unit under 400 square feet that meets all of someone's daily needs, including sanitation, cooking, and other facilities, and which is also mobile.
 
The item has been on the Planning Board's agenda for nearly every meeting. However, every time it comes up, the board tables it citing too many unanswered questions that need to be addressed first. 
 
"It's been two years. It's ridiculous how long you guys have sat on this. It's unacceptable in a housing crisis to go so long," Turnbull said during a heated Planning Board meeting in December after they voted to table the item again. 
 
During the meeting she read from the town's Housing Needs Assessment which demonstrates how a little more than a quarter of the town's population are seniors, which is projected to increase to a third in 10 years. 
 
"The vast majority of this age cohort are homeowners. A common trend seen throughout Berkshire County is seniors who want to "age in place" but due to physical limitations cannot maintain their homes, so they are forced to relocate," she read. 
 
"Most homes in Dalton are three bedrooms, which is beyond the needs of most seniors. And,
there are no current rental options available for seniors who may want to relocate to a smaller, more manageable home. The financial burdens of homeownership have risen, denying such owners the likely ability to have financial security, especially if a senior has limited income based primarily on Social Security." 
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