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.

Air and Water Quality Testing Planned for Pittsfield High

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The district will test air and water quality at Pittsfield High School as it prepares to request funding for "in need but not dire" renovations. 

The School Committee last week received a report card on Pittsfield High School's physical condition, which was described as "poor" and in need of restoration to its original character. 

The 1931 building's quality reflects the materials used at that time, and those strong bones were noted during the conversation. 

"Yes, the school is in really poor condition and needs to be addressed, but I also think that we don't need to push an alarm, panic button, and create panic of whether or not certain things are there," Mayor Peter Marchetti said. 

"… To me, if this was a doom and gloom, 'Oh my God, get the kids out,' it would be a lot more strongly worded."

He and Superintendent Latifah Phillips toured PHS the previous week and heard concerns about air and water quality. Testing will be done before school is back in session; there was some air quality testing done two years ago. 

The city is pursuing a statement of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority, a quasi-independent government agency, to cover up to 80 percent of the cost for renovations. The Pittsfield Public Schools submitted statements of interest for five schools since 2007, and only two have been accepted: Taconic High School in 2009 and the proposed Crosby/Conte elementary build in 2024. 

Marchetti believes PHS saw the "fastest statement of interest in the history of the City of Pittsfield." Without state funding, he said it will take 50 years to fix the issues. 

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