Vol. IV No. 8 4/15/2023
Reader to Reader
Dear Carole,
Carole, re your Editorial — just a side note to make sure you know this (if you don't already) — the ruling explicitly excluded Town Meeting, which is a legislative body, not an open public meeting. Only registered voters in the town have the legal right to speak, and only at the leave of the Moderator. Anyone who is unruly may be told by the Moderator to be silent, and if the person persists, the Moderator may order the Constable to confine the person for the duration of the Meeting.
"Part I ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT
Title VII CITIES, TOWNS AND DISTRICTS
Chapter 39 MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT
Section 17 POWERS OF MODERATOR; PRESERVATION OF ORDER
Section 17. No person shall address a town meeting without leave of the moderator, and all persons shall, at the request of the moderator, be silent.
If a person, after warning from the moderator, persists in disorderly behavior, the moderator may order him to withdraw from the meeting, and, if he does not withdraw, may order a constable or any other person to remove him and confine him in some convenient place until the meeting is adjourned."
Best, Michael F. Wilcox
Thank you, Michael,
I will print your letter in SU for everyone's information.
Again thanks, Carole
To the Editor:
A Man for All Seasons
I am writing in support of Mr. Patrick White to be re-elected to the Stockbridge Select Board.
Mr White is a neighbour. Over the years I have witnessed first hand Patrick's practical approach to solving problems. He is willing to listen, to consider all points of view, and to find creative solutions to intractable problems.
We first met at the Laurel Hill Association--an organization "dedicated to further the quality of life and the environment of Stockbridge." I think this phrase could serve as Patrick's mantra.
Patrick is always ready to help in uneasy times and I have been repeatedly impressed by his love and dedication to Stockbridge affairs, especially in his tireless pro-active attempts to mend the difference in conflicting opinions.
Mediation, imagination and selflessness are attributes that are hard to find and qualities that the Town needs in this day and age. Based on his past achievements, I will trust Mr White to be again at the helm of the ship.
Lionel Delevingne
To the Editor: Stockbridge Needs Roxanne as a Selectperson
I hope Stockbridge will vote decisively for Roxanne McCaffrey in the upcoming Town election.
Roxanne is the Selectperson the Town must have, if Stockbridge is to have cohesive, rational, and effective government for all its citizens. She will help restore dignity, respect and common purpose to our government. Her election will enable achievement of Town objectives, and without rancor, division, and intentional discrimination. We need the help.
Wayne Slosek is another voice of reason and anchor of civility and accomplishment on the Planning Board. He, like Roxanne, is a model of the Norman Rockwell responsible citizen who steps forward for his/her community. Wayne also deserves decisive support, and re-election. As above, Stockbridge and the Planning Board need him.
Brandi Page is also a strong candidate for the Assessors position. She has professional assessor experience in the Berkshires and was in the past an employee of the Stockbridge assessors' office where she was and remains highly regarded. She will be an asset for the Town.
Finally, please do NOT make the Finance Committee elective; that proposal will merely open the door (wide) to making that "watchdog" committee political. And, when no one runs for an open spot (as happens in Stockbridge) it will allow the Selectboard — which the Finance Committee is intended to advise and oversee on financial matters –to appoint its own watchdog! That is not good governance at all. Presently — and for decades—the Finance Committee has been appointed by the independent town moderator and such Committee has long and well-served Stockbridge in its intended role. The proposal is designed to undermine and radicalize — not improve — good governance. Please vote to defeat the proposal.
And, please elect Roxanne.
Respectfully,
Joseph H. Newberg — 42 years a second homeowner in Stockbridge, and still counting.
Hi Carole,
Having been a selectman in Stockbridge for 24 years (1974 - 1998 ), I know what the job requires :
a willingness to work hard,time to listen and communicate with constituents,the ability to evaluate best options and most importantly,a vision for the town based upon its historic values . Patrick White possesses and demonstrates all of them and has for the past 3 years.
A check of the number of meetings that Patrick attends weekly shows the time that he spends for the Town . He is well known for his quick responses to questions or complaints. He listens. Patrick is smart, verbal, and imaginative — all of which allows him to be a quick study of problems (housing, rentals, the Bowl... ) and their possible solutions . Not everyone agrees with him all of the time and they shouldn't, but he does make decisions.
Finally, Stockbridge is known and highly valued for its not physically changing. Open space, no stop light, resistance to roundabouts, no turnpike entrance/exit... are just a few examples of maintaining a commitment to the past. Patrick knows this ... I strongly urge Stockbridge voters to return him to the selectboard ... The town needs him.
JA Beacco, Jr.
Hi Carole,
I'm not sure if we've met in person but my name is Hannah Wilken and I'm Matt Boudreau's wife from Stockbridge! I'm emailing first, to thank you for all you do for Stockbridge with the weekly newsletter. I read it every week and especially love the photos.
Secondly, I'm working with a grassroots group to join the community and purchase the Triplex Cinema in GB as a nonprofit. If no action is taken the theater is set to close in early June. We've had press in the Eagle, Edge, and been included in the New Marlborough/Monterey town newsletter. I was wondering if this was something you would publish in the Stockbridge Update. I have a press release attached, our website below, and I am happy to pen something personally if that's what you want for the newsletter. I was born and raised in Stockbridge and know how important personal stories are.
Thank you so much for your time and I hope to talk soon!
Hannah Wilken
Vice President, Save the Triplex
savethetriplex.org
Hi Carole,
My letter for Stockbridge Updates regarding the Triplex is below. Thank you for including it!
Best, Lisa Newmann
SAVE THE TRIPLEX — To The Film-loving Community In The Berkshires:
As you may have heard, The Triplex movie theater in Great Barrington is set to close on June 1st if a buyer cannot be found. There is currently an out-of-town, for-profit company interested in purchasing the Triplex. But this week, as you've been reading in local publications, a group of concerned Berkshire County residents gathered to form a non-profit organization to purchase the Triplex. Their non-profit status is expected to be confirmed this week.
The idea of a non-profit cinema was decided after over 45 local residents came together to vote on whether to help raise money for the outside company, or begin its own non-profit entity to purchase and run the theatre and its many community offerings.
There are currently three other area movie theaters that have been successfully operating as non-profit entities: Millerton's The Moviehouse; Chatham's Crandell Theatre and Williamstown's Images Cinema.
The Triplex would be in good company. As a member of the Berkshire International Film Festival (BIFF) Advisory Board, I know the importance of storytelling through the medium of film, and the cultural richness a movie theatre brings to a town. Our area needs a permanent, stable venue for movie lovers. And it's imperative that the BIFF, a world renown film festival, has a home for its annual international event in Great Barrington and year-round programming. In its 17th year, The BIFF is an essential Berkshire cultural entity that educates, entertains, and cultivates important conversations in our community.
As my BIFF colleagues have recently stated in numerous local publications, we feel strongly about this effort. We cannot let the Triplex go dark. savethetriplex@gmail.com Thank you for your help!
Lisa Newmann
To the Editor:
Housing on Aquidneck Island is very costly today. The island is a tourist area. In 2017 the creation of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) went into effect allowing owner-occupied single-family homes the right to build an ADU. The ADUs allow families to stay in close proximity to each other and are cost effective for keeping locals in their homes.
Michael Arsenault
Editor's Note: Arsenault visited the Berkshires in April, read about the discussion on Accessory Dwelling Units in Stockbridge, and wanted to comment from his experience.
