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.

Wahconah Grandstand Demo Beginning Monday

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Wahconah Park grandstand will begin to come down next week. 

During the Parks Commission meeting on Tuesday, it was reported that demolition will begin on April 27.  The over-quarter-century-old structure was deemed unsafe in 2022, and planners have determined that starting from square one is the best option; a $15 million rebuild is on the table.

"All permits are in place for the grandstand demo. The demo work will actively take place beginning April 27," Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath wrote in a memo to the commission. 

Conceptual plans have been delivered, he reported, and cost estimates have come back favorably. 

"That I know has been a challenge with the cost estimates," Chair Simon Muil commented after reading the memo. "So that's great."

Earlier this month, Pittsfield held a "Farewell to the Grandstand" event to celebrate its past and look forward to the future. 

It included a round of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," hot dogs, and stories about the ballpark.  Artifacts from the ballpark were displayed in cases outside of the grandstand for the event, along with banners depicting the park's history and a roped-off area for community members to see the structure one last time. 

The Parks Commission also OKed several warm-weather events for kids and adults in the coming months. 

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