Letter: Constitutional Crisis

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To the Editor:

In his inaugural speech, the president invoked America in the late 19th century when political corruption was rampant, Jim Crow laws were enacted, and disparities in income and wealth soared. Since then, the daily barrage of presidential edicts have ranged from absurdity, recklessness, vindictiveness and most concerning lawlessness. His words and actions have sown seeds of uncertainty, anxiety and fear. Presidential governance has become the politics of chaos in an attempt to grab power. MAGA/Republican legislators in the House and Senate feign their responsibilities. Blind loyalty to the president is their number one priority.

The Constitution is the law of the land, the bedrock of our democratic state. However imperfect, it aspires to secure, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all Americans. Beggaring belief, we are currently witnessing a constitutional coup intent on circumventing the legislative and judicial branches. Laws, regulations, norms and protocols are being violated. Americans of all ilk, various organizations, Democratic legislators and the federal courts are attempting to check this presidential overreach.

Authoritarianism is defined as a political system which rejects democracy, the separation of powers, civil liberties, and the rule of law. The most recent remarks by the president, vice president, the billionaire aide-de-camp, and his MAGA minions indicate an attempt to undermine our system of government. These actors mean to overrule judicial review by our federal courts and ultimately our Supreme Court.

What to do? At this time, our duty as citizens is to become informed and active. Millions of Americans are becoming aware of this constitutional crisis at hand. People are following, joining and contributing to pro-democracy organizations at the local, state, and national level. It is incumbent upon all Americans to raise our voices, protest and vote to ensure that this great experiment, American Democracy, survives.

Antonio Pagliarulo
Dalton, Mass. 

 

 

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Pittsfield to Study Speeding on Lenox Avenue

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city wants to ensure that upcoming construction doesn't turn Lenox Avenue into a bypass.

On Thursday, the Traffic Commission tabled Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren and Ward 7 Councilor Rhonda Serre's request to resolve excessive traffic and speeding on Lenox Avenue until after the city gathers speed data.

Serre explained that this is about the upcoming detour from the Bel Air Dam removal and a general increase in speed on the southern end of the street. Because it is split between Wards 1 and 7, she and Warren got together to request a review of the detours, signage, and traffic calming measures that will be enacted when traffic is disrupted for the project.

"On or about July 1, the detour will be put in place and we certainly hope that Lenox Ave is not used as a bypass," said project manager James McGrath, the city's parks and open space program manager. 

He reported that folks from the city and state are concerned about the street, "and there's only so much that signage can do, so we're going to look to monitor that."

Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, the $20 million dam removal will kick off soon and take up to 18 months. Around July 1, one lane of Wahconah Street will be shut down; northbound traffic will be able to pass down Wahconah Street, but southbound traffic will be diverted south on North Street and west on Pontoosuc Avenue.

Warren said constituents on the section of Lenox Avenue between Weller Avenue and Pontoosuc Avenue have reported speeding and fears of people being injured by vehicles, noting "With or without the Bel Air dam, there are problems."

"It's several people having problems with the traffic, so I was wondering if you guys could brainstorm what might be happening, what we can do temporarily to see if that'll do it," he said.

"Maybe do a speed study or something like that, and then maybe these speed 'calmings' will also impact."

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