The Berkshire Edge On-Air - Wednesday March 11, 2020

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.

1. The decision by the EPA Region 1 to remove PCBs from the Housatonic River valley, but transport them to a waste disposal site in Lee has angered those who have campaigned for a restored, contamination-free river:

2. The Great Barrington Board of Selectmen, facing some criticism from some environmentalists opposed to the Rest of River Settlement, have proposed to schedule a town meeting to vote on whether the town should be a party to the agreement:
https://theberkshireedge.com/selectboard-to-allow-citizens-to-weigh-in-at-town-meeting-on-controversial-ge-epa-settlement/

3.  In West Stockbridge the Board of Selectmen have fired the town’s fire chief Peter Skorput on accusations of conflicts of interest:
https://theberkshireedge.com/west-stockbridge-fire-chief-forced-out-in-wake-of-ethics-violations-and-departmental-dysfunction/

4.  And of course what news lineup would be complete without a mention of the coronavirus. The latest public report is that there are 5 cases in the Berkshires.
But one way of dealing with a public health crisis is to be edgy:
a. Sarah Wright is a nurse, and a writer — she accuses Gov. Baker of being slow to react to the potential pandemic, and of letting the state become unprepared for such an epidemic:
https://theberkshireedge.com/sarah-wright-international-emergency-day/
b.  Columnist Carole Owens reminds us of past pandemics, and how difficult it seems to be to come to grips with the presence of an epidemic:
https://theberkshireedge.com/connections-78/
c.  Our business columnist Allen Harris considers the effect of the coronavirus epidemic has on the economy:
https://theberkshireedge.com/capital-ideas-observe-and-react/

5.  Our writer Hannah Van Sickle writes of a philanthropic-minded group of women who are raising money for underprivileged women and girls:
https://theberkshireedge.com/philanthropic-group-brings-women-together-to-raise-money-for-underprivileged-women-and-girls/

6.  Finally, marijuana sales are an equal opportunity market. The latest shop in Great Barrington is women-owned:
https://theberkshireedge.com/woman-owned-cannabis-boutique-on-main-street-set-for-spring-opening/