The Berkshire Edge On-Air - January 23, 2019

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, as did other communities across the nation, celebrated the birthday of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday… and for Great Barrington, if had the added significance of projects to restore the legacy of African-American life in the Berkshires: the restoration of the AME Zion Clinton Church, and the recognition of author and philosopher and founder of the NAACP W.E.B. Du Bois:
https://theberkshireedge.com/in-great-barrington-interfaith-community-celebrates-martin-luther-king-jr-s-dream/
Quite a legacy for a little town in Western Massachusetts.

2.  Opening the Weedgates, a five-part series examining the implications of the opening of retail marijuana shops in the Berkshires and across Massachusetts:
https://theberkshireedge.com/opening-the-weedgates-part-v-how-pot-stores-got-their-names/

3.  On the political front, columnist Alan Chartock — yes, THE Alan Chartock, weighs in about what he terms “legal bribery” in the NY State Legislature; meanwhile, columnist Carole Owens has an amusing commentary about the breathless anticipation of impeachment of President Trump  — which she likes to the Beckett play, Waiting for Godot … of course, Godot doesn’t show up.
https://theberkshireedge.com/alan-chartock-2/
https://theberkshireedge.com/connections-21/

4. Meanwhile, back to reality, of sorts: The adoption of a ban on single-use plastic water bottles in Great Barrington has turned into a real brouhaha. The Selectboard seems to be backing away from enforcement of the bylaw.
https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barrington-selectboard-backs-away-from-enforcement-of-plastic-water-bottle-ban/
At the same time, the Berkshire Women’s Action Group is demanding the selectboard fulfill the will of the people:
https://theberkshireedge.com/the-single-use-plastic-water-bottle-ban-and-gb-on-tap-a-progress-report/

This is analogous to the debate about plastic waste that is being held throughout the country.

5.  Meanwhile, ICE agents took into custody an Albanian immigrant as he was walking to work on Great Barrington’s Main Street. It caused quite a furor:
https://theberkshireedge.com/breach-alleged-of-town-trust-policy-after-ice-arrest-of-migrant/