Reader to Reader

To the Editor:

There are now over 130 people who have signed the December open letter and requested updates on how to show up against book banning in the Berkshires — thank you! We are heading into a very busy and important week — please read on for actions you can take to help our students be free to read and learn.

Attend Town Meetings
If the Selectboard has a full agenda that does not include the book ban issue, it can be brought up during the Citizen Speak section of the meeting.
Attend in person or via Zoom.
If you choose to speak at the meeting, please feel free to use talking points/questions below. Another great jumping off point for comments and questions is the recent editorial in the Eagle, as well as the ACLU/GLAD letter

Talking points at meetings:

This episode is part of a nationwide attempt to circumvent educators and school administrators with complaints to law enforcement about the content of books.

Q: What is the Selectboard's position on the GBPD's power to override School Committee processes for curricular review, with or without a warrant?

The Selectboard should make clear through its statements, policies, and actions that book banning and identity-based attacks implemented through book bans will not be tolerated.

Q: What steps is the Selectboard taking to instruct staff and inform the public that law enforcement should not have been involved and that it will not happen again?
Q: What steps will the Selectboard take to ensure that police investigations are not used as a means of targeting and harassing members of legally protected groups?

The community deserves transparency about the decisions that were made in this situation.

Q: Will the Selectboard conduct a full and transparent review or hearing about this incident open to public comment?

Spread the word about Berkshires Against Book Banning, and for more information go to www.berkshiresagainstbookbanning.com/contact.

Carole,

How about an update on the status of the Cat and Dog fountain and the stone watering trough...... the fountain seems to be an unknown entity. The trough is new news but would be interesting to know what's up with that project. Thanks, The Updates is good stuff.

Jonathan Gray

Dear Jonathan,

We agree! So in the September 2023 issue, SU reported: All parts of the Cat and Dog fountain are repaired except for the cat and dog. They will be fully restored soon. Patrick White asked if there was a plan for restoration of the grounds surrounding the fountain. He pointed out that that is the entrance to Town and an important feature of Main Street. He hoped Tom Farley and other local landscape designers would be asked to make suggestions as well as townsfolk. White also thanked Kate Fletcher, Bob Jones, Carl Sprague for their years of work. Town Administrator reported that the Horse trough would be finished this spring.

In the December 2023 issue, SU reported: Trough and Cat and Dog Fountain, fixtures on Main Street, will be repaired and returned by spring. Paving will resume in spring and the new crosswalks will be repainted in spring.

Thank you for reading SU and for being in touch.

Carole

To the Editor:

Article XXVII of the Town Bylaws, approved at a town meeting, established the Stockbridge Bowl Stewardship Commission. It described its membership and responsibilities, "The Stockbridge Bowl Stewardship Commission shall act as an advisory group to the Stockbridge Board of Selectmen to preserve and protect the Stockbridge Bowl (Lake Mahkeenac), its watershed and ecosystem by utilizing unified, scientific information collected by the SBSC."

I hope that the select board and town administrator will prioritize the importance of the town's responsibility for the stewardship of the lake and reorganize the commission so that it can continue its important work. We're already about 30 years behind.

Anita Schwerner

Photo: Lionel Delevingne.