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 Voters to Decide Moveable ADUs at Special Town Meeting

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — It's time for voters to decide if they want to permit mobile accessory dwelling units in town and a special town meeting has been set to do just that. 
 
For more than two years, Amy Turnbull has been advocating to amend the town's current bylaws to allow mobile tiny homes but has met obstacles delaying the effort.  
 
On Monday, June 29, at 7 p.m., voters will convene at Wahconah Regional High School to decide on the topic, and four other items centered around funding for the Clean Air Committee and the town's Department of Public Works roof repair project. 
 
Turnbull initially presented this item at the annual town meeting but it was "tabled" so a public hearing could be held. 
 
Like many meetings before, this hearing resulted in little movement as the Planning Board decided to neither support or oppose the proposed bylaw.  
 
During the signing of the warrant, Select Board member John Boyle expressed his hesitation about placing this item on a special town meeting warrant, citing historically low attendance at such meetings.
 
"It's very important and going to be a very controversial thing … Important issues should be at an annual town meeting," he said. 
 
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