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.

Pittsfield City Council Accepts Airport Funds, Honors Late PHS Teacher

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council last Tuesday accepted a $2.4 million federal grant for a new taxiway at the Pittsfield Municipal Airport, a project that will only require 2.5 percent support from Pittsfield. 

"This is a great deal for the city of Pittsfield, and our airport has come a long way in a very short time," Ward 7 Councilor Katherine Moody said. 

Councilors accepted $2,394,570 from the Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration, and approved an order to borrow $2,520,600 for the construction of Taxiway A at the airport.

Moody was referring to the fact that 95 percent, or $2,394,570, is covered by the FAA.  The remaining costs are split between Massachusetts and Pittsfield; 2.5 percent each. 

That brings the city's contribution to a little more than $63,000. 

The project will reconstruct, mark, light, and sign the new taxiway, which will also require pavement removal, excavation, pavement construction, installation of electrical and drainage infrastructure, pavement markings, seeding, and more. 

Bidding was recently completed at $2,150,490.65 and, combined with engineering services and administrative costs, the project totaled $2,520,600. 

At the beginning of the meeting, Councilor at Large Kathy Amuso paid tribute to a longtime friend of hers and many others, Colleen Quinn, who died on May 20 at the age of 69 after a brief battle with cancer.

Amuso described the loss of the longtime Pittsfield High School art teacher as devastating to the community. 

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