Letter: Leigh Davis Is the Right Candidate

To the Editor:

There is not wrong choice in the upcoming election. Absolutely no one steps into a local or state election who does not genuinely want to make a difference. I firmly believe that all candidates running have our best interests at heart, regardless of party or platform.

That being said, there is a RIGHT choice, and that choice can only be Leigh Davis.

Leigh understands small towns and small business alike. Leigh Davis was on the other end of the very first phone call I received after the announcement of the closure of the Division Street bridge, pledging her support and resources to help keep Taft Farms from closing. From the moment of that phone call and throughout the next several years, all the way through the COVID epidemic, Leigh was a constant voice of support to help our small business survive, and I know I am not alone.

I am a lifelong member of Great Barrington and Housatonic. I consider everyone a neighbor and always have. I remember growing up when our well would run dry in the summer, running a hose from the neighbor’s house next door to get us by until the next rain. Which is why when my neighbors in Housatonic needed some water, we stepped in to offer our well.

Leigh has been, and continues to be, the only candidate running who has tried to make this situation better, even touring our farm and artesian well (which has been labeled as a possible future town water source). She is eager to take up that fight at the state level to help bring safe clean water to our neighborhood.

Over the years and her time on the Select Board, Leigh has sought out the opinions of community members and community leaders to address issues like housing, addiction and recovery, and employment levels. Rather than simply stating her opinions, she seeks out voices to be heard and genuinely listens to them before making a decision.

Now, when people disagree, and a decision has to be made, someone will always be left unhappy and the unhappy are always the loudest. But making a decision and taking a stand are what I want in a candidate, in a leader. And those qualities in Leigh are why Leigh is the right choice in this election.

Paul Kenneth Tawczynski
Great Barrington, Mass. 

Butternut Fire Expands to Sheffield, Covering 1,100 Acres

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
03:56PM / Wednesday, November 20, 2024

The fire expanded during to the night to cover more than 1,100 acres. 

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Butternut Fire has expanded tenfold, now covering almost 1,100 acres of forest and spreading to Sheffield.

Just before noon on Wednesday, the town reported that the wildfire near Brush Hill Road off East Mountain had unexpected growth overnight. It spread over 100 acres on Tuesday and on Wednesday, was estimated to cover slightly less than 1,100 acres.

The town remains in a state of emergency, as declared by the Select Board on Tuesday, but first responders assure that Great Barrington is not in danger.

Around 2 p.m., the Great Barrington Fire Department reported via Facebook that "significant fire" was extinguished by using a Blackhawk helicopter to drop 600 gallons of water. Water is now being pulled from Three Mile Pond in Sheffield.

The blaze is being referred to as the Butternut Fire due to its proximity to Ski Butternut, which has confirmed there is no damage to the ski area.

"At this time the fire is more than a quarter of a mile from the nearest structures and there are not any immediate threats to the public. There have NOT been any evacuation orders at this time. We have strategically placed structural fire crews in the areas where there is the POTENTIAL for us to operate in a protection mode to protect homes and property," the town's press release reads.

"In the event of a need for an evacuation order, residents will be notified through Code RED along with in-person door-to-door notifications of the affected area — an information post will be shared on how to sign up if you are already not signed up."

The fire was first reported Monday evening and by 9 p.m., firefighters were pulled from the mountain because of the hazardous conditions. On Tuesday morning, neighboring departments were called in to help contain the blaze.