The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.
Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.
This week we talk about:
1. Great Barrington forging ahead with incorporating the W.E.B. Du Bois legacy into the fabric of town life. The Selectboard has appointed a panel to oversee and plan celebrations of the Du Bois legacy… it’s the 150th anniversary this year of his birth — with annual events, and eventually a statue of Du Bois at the Mason Library:
2. On Monday, 80 students at Monument Mountain Regional High School walked out of classes to congregate on the high school lawn, in protest over the candidacy of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh — and in sympathy with the women who have alleged that he abused them.
3, On this coming Saturday, a walk to prevent youth suicide will be held in Great Barrington — the Out of Darkness Berkshire County Walk. The Berkshires have the highest rate of suicide among 15-19 year olds in the state.
4. In Pittsfield there was a so-called housing summit, to survey the future and challenges of the Berkshire housing market. The upshot: a looming crisis in affordable housing is looming:
5. The contest for the next Berkshire County District Attorney heats up… we’ve had numerous letters about the consequence of the Democratic primary (there were no Republican candidates) which was won by attorney Andrea Harrington. However, the designated DA, Paul Caccaviello, — designated, that is, by former DA David Capeless when he aburptly resigned several months ago and named his assistant Caccaviello acting DA in order to assure his election. Caccaviello is now conducting a write-in campaign. So it’s quite a dust-up….
6. Finally, a historical note: We’ve had two columns by Carole Owens about how the Wild West came to the streets of Pittsfield in days of yore, with the appearances of Wild Bill Hickok and Buffalo Bill Cody… at one such extravaganza, organized by one Cebra Quackenbush, two lions escaped and had to be hunted down:
