The Berkshire Edge On-Air - Wednesday May 1, 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. What is it lately with principals of Monument Mountain Regional High School. With less than a year under his belt the current principal, Doug Wine, has announced he’s resigning:
https://theberkshireedge.com/monument-principal-doug-wine-resigns/

2. Massachusetts State Police arrest at Great Barrington police officer, Daniel Bartini, for operating under the influence on the Mass Pike. It’s the second time Bartini has been so nabbed… and it seems that Great Barrington Police have a bit of a problem with officers drinking too much:
https://theberkshireedge.com/state-police-nab-defiant-great-barrington-cop-for-oui-on-mass-pike/

3.  Who knows, but we could in the not-too-distant future take the train to Connecticut — and back. The state of Massachusetts is spending $20 million to upgrade the Housatonic Railroad track and roadbed from Pittsfield to the Connecticut line in Canaan (where the HRR has its headquarters). This means new heavy duty welded rail and new ties. Columnist Carole Owens waxes sentimental over the possibility.
https://theberkshireedge.com/connections-33/
4.  It’s town meeting time in the Berkshires… and Great Barrington’s is Monday, May 6. Among the issues is an attempt to repeal the single-use plastic water bottle ban adopted last year, and there’s a lively raise for two positions that will be vacant on the Selectboard:
https://theberkshireedge.com/for-many-great-barrington-voters-a-tough-decision-for-selectboard-awaits/

5. We’ve started a weekly video series produced by the Railroad Street Youth Project entitled “Talking with Teens.’ It’s a video interview, and text … and the first was how to talk with teenagers about substance abuse:
https://theberkshireedge.com/talking-with-teens-a-video-series/

6.  It looks as if the conversion of the former Searles Middle School on Bridge Street in the heart of Great Barrington into an upscale hotel, with spa and pool, is still on track, despite rumors that its developers were under financial stress. This particular property has a long and problematic history:
https://theberkshireedge.com/rumors-of-downtown-hotel-projects-death-greatly-exaggerated/