Reader to Reader: We Got Mail

Dear Carole,

Thank you so much for the perfect timing on this [the SU reminder to attend Laurel Hill Day]. I hope you enjoyed the program, and I owe you a story!

Hilary [Deely is President of the Laurel Hill Association]

Dear Hilary and all the readers who wrote to thank SU,

As always, SU is happy to help.

Carole

Hi Carole,

In case this is something you would be willing to include in Stockbridge Updates, I wanted you to know that the vending machines at Town Hall are stocked by Riverbrook with the proceeds supporting jobs for residents. The vending machines were dormant during the quarantine, but we expect they'll be fully stocked and ready for service by Wednesday. The public is welcome to use the machines which offer snacks and beverages.

Sarah Gregory DelSignor
Marketing & Development Manager
Riverbrook Residence, Inc.

Dear Sarah,

Thank you for always keeping SU in the loop (the vending machines are now stocked).

Carole

Dear Carole,

I do not feel the report of the Planning Board hybrid meeting of August 3, is a fair summary of our meeting. Mr. Blair's letter was not discussed. This should not have been printed as part of the meeting. Most of the questions and points brought up in the letter have already been addressed in previous meetings. If SU wanted to print that letter, it could have been entered as a letter from Mr. Blair, a citizen, in another section of the SU, not as part of the Planning Board meeting.

Readers, go to the recording of the meeting on CTSB to hear the meeting yourselves or go to the Town Website for the real minutes of the meeting. I am a member of the Planning Board, but I am writing this as a concerned citizen of Stockbridge. I am not representing the Planning Board here.

Reporting the meetings of town boards is a service to all, provided they are accurate and unbiased.

Marie Raftery, Citizen

Dear Marie,

Thank you for your letter. If you read the last issue, you will note, it said, "The meeting is available on CTSB and is worth listening to. A summary does not do the members justice."

When you ask SU readers to go to CTSB, we are in agreement.

With respect to Bruce Blair's letter, we disagree. It is SU's job to inform our residents without bias. SU equally includes what you write and what Bruce Blair wrote. To inform without bias is also the job of our elected officials. When a resident takes the time to study an issue, write a letter, and submit it to a Town Board, it is polite and proper for that Board to read it into the record and respond.

Sadly, this is one of many times Planning Board (PB) has omitted to do so. PB Chair, former Vice Chair and now current Vice Chair repeatedly publicly state that they do not have to read into to record or respond to communications from voters or even from other PB members. To omit or block expression of opinions that do not agree with yours is the definition of bias. To serve the people as their representatives — just that, no less, and no more — is your job.

Thank you for sharing your opinion as a private citizen,

Carole

Dear Carole,

I've heard a few people remark that Stockbridge Updates is biased. At first, I did not believe them, since I noticed their tone smacked of sour grapes.

I gave it more thought, and I do believe, after all, that Updates is biased...

toward fairness, which takes a lot of courage;

toward giving accurate information when it would be far easier to repeat misinformation; toward covering all the details, not a select few, and

toward giving voice to everyone in Town, not just those who speak the loudest.

People all over town love Updates.

Thank you Updates!

Charlie Kenny

Dear Charlie,

Thank you for your support and your contribution to Stockbridge. Both are appreciated.

SU is a public service with a simple purpose: to inform the voters. With our contributors, letter writers, editors, the SU Editorial Board, and supporters like you, SU will keep on keeping on.

Carole

Laurel Hill Day crowd. Photo: Lionel Delevingne.