My day job is the CFO of Berkshire Waldorf High School, which recently acquired Old Town Hall and will be preserving the Police Station, prominently featured in the film, as a mini-museum. It's the honor of a lifetime to have been able to contribute to saving this iconic structure on Main Street and giving it a new lease on life. Entering my fifth year on the Stockbridge Select Board, I've had the pleasure of working on some other big, giant things:
- Saving the Old Growth Forest at Ice Glen and their ancient trees that predate the town's founding.
- Working with the Stockbridge-Munsee Band to return Mohicans to land stewardship after more than two centuries.
- Establishing a housing trust in Stockbridge to ensure we remain a well-rounded community.
Each accomplishment involved a strong team, on which I played a key role. That's the beauty of small towns and consensus government: you get to work with others to accomplish big giant things.
Look, a great deal of good government is the work-a-day tasks we need to get done, things like the paving and the potholes and the budgets and the bridges. Don't let that be all you do: government can be aspirational. Government can accomplish big, giant things. I know, having played a part in each of these efforts. We didn't just dream it. We did it.
1969: Arlo at Town Hall with Chief Obanheim.
2024: We saved Old Town Hall from demolition. It's currently being renovated.
Music Inn Reunion
Thanks to Dave Rothstein, the proprietor of Race Brook Lodge in Sheffield, for hosting yet another Music Inn Reunion this past Thursday. Below are some photos of the event, and some of the promotional materials from the 1960s. How amazing that legends like Bonnie Raitt, Louis Armstrong, Joan Baez, Count Basie, Pete Seeger, and many others used to play a quarter mile from my house.
Dave reminisced and added some context to the times, observing how intertwined the music scene of the time was with the anti-war effort.
In my time, I was the Editor-in-Chief of my college paper, The Boston College Heights. I remember writing the editorials calling for the end of the South African apartheid regime.
Today's young folks, as did their predecessors, are focused on ending armed conflict. Opposing war, standing for the oppressed, that is a noble exercise of free speech in a free society.
I would just urge a bit of caution. This world has a long history of genocide, including efforts in some of our lifetimes to exterminate the world's Jews. When I see banners on college campuses extolling the Hamas rallying cry, "from the river to the sea," which is a call to exterminate the Jewish state, to me that is no longer free speech. It is the advocacy for exactly the kind of genocide we fought a World War to stop.
Massachusetts has seen an alarming rise in antisemitism in the past few months and Berkshire County has not been spared. It bears some resemblance to what Austria and Germany experienced in the 1930s. At the end of this Passover season, I remind us all that we live in a pluralistic society. Let's remember to show acceptance for all, and zero tolerance for antisemitism.
Dave Rothstein and Nancy Fitzpatrick, last week and in the 1970s at Music Inn. That's me on the left of the main photo.
1960s Music Inn memorabilia.
The Virtue of a Lean Budget
Many of us live within a budget. Careful budgeting not only allows us to save for a rainy day. It also allows us to have a little left over for the things that are important to us that we might otherwise not be able to afford. That might be a daily coffee shop beverage that gets us out of the house or one or two concerts over a summer. It might be the unexpected car repair, the leaky roof, the kid's ski pass, or the myriad of life's other spontaneous wants and needs.
This is even truer for municipal budgets. If you can shave a few points off a tax rate, those savings help in two ways. First, it saves the homeowner, incluiding those of modest means, a little money to put towards their other expenses. Taxes aren't optional after all. Equally important, it allows for a little extra to fund initiatives that are vitally important but discretionary.
A few examples from my town come to mind. The monies we set aside to save the old growth forest at Ice Glen. The funding we've budgeted for a new farmer's market. The tripling of funding for local events underwritten by the Cultural Council. The increase by 25% of Library funding in this budget cycle. The equipment and time to keep all town board meetings on Zoom. I advocated for all of this while keeping the combined growth of the town's budget over the last three years to less than 7%, in contrast to the rate of inflation, which was around 17%.
I am of the opinion we could have done even better, but with a consensus government, you win some and lose some.
The state budget is $56 billion. Here's my point: I have the skills and resolve to identify and advocate for ways to make the state's budget leaner and, in doing so, create opportunities to invest in areas vital to the well-being of the Commonwealth and its residents.
Driving to a meeting with one of Mount Washington's Select Board members this past week. With a population of less than 200, it's the smallest town in the District. The high elevation often results in bigger snowstorms than other Berkshire towns. Let's come up with ways to support our roads and bridges while reducing the property tax burden.
The Value of Transparency
I spend a lot of time doing the work. I also spend a fair amount of time informing you of the work we are doing. I believe the best government is a transparent government. During COVID, we were required to conduct meetings on Zoom. No longer. I fought to ensure that we continue with Zoom meetings anyway. Stockbridge residents, non-resident taxpayers, and the local press still have the option to Zoom into any meeting of town government. You can watch any meeting after the fact if you want to stay informed of the decisions your government is making on your behalf.
As a town leader, I take the time to inform my constituents. This is the ninth newsletter I've written since I announced my candidacy to be your State Representative from the 3rd District. I write to inform you of my priorities should you elect me for this position. Here's my commitment to you: these will continue if you choose me in the September 3rd Democratic Primary and then elect me in November. I commit to giving you a front-row seat to the issues debated in Boston and how they impact you as a citizen of Massachusetts and a resident of the Berkshires. I will keep you informed so you can be part of the discussion and debate.
Liana Toscanini, founder of the Nonprofit Center for the Berkshires, at the Get on Board event at Shakespeare & Co in Lenox this past week. Did you know over 10,000 folks work at Berkshire nonprofits? One of my goals is to make it easier for nonprofits to afford to offer healthcare benefits to their employees.
Kudos to Lee for Taking on Monsanto
As early as 1937, Monsanto, the manufacturer of PCBs, knew of the dire risks to human health posed by this chemical. Nevertheless, they kept manufacturing them, and GE kept dumping them into the Housatonic for at least half a century longer.
At the end of the 20th century, GE moved its manufacturing of transformers to Mexico, South America, Turkey and India. There's a lot of literature online documenting the forever PCB pollution that is a hallmark of this company and that followed its activities globally. Same story, different decade. Profit over people knows no national boundaries.
I give the Lee Select Board credit for not only trying to hold GE accountable, and for taking the fight to Monsanto, the manufacturer of these awful chemicals. GE and Monsanto knew the risks. They knew the dire consequences. They made them and they dumped them anyway.
Companies pollute. People die.
Bat Mortality in Massachusetts
We used to have a great many bats in Massachusetts. These little critters helped control mosquito populations, eating thousands every night! But no more. Most have been wiped out by White-nose Syndrome, which first appeared in 2006.
Most, but not all. A small percentage of Massachusetts bats have proven immune to this new fungus. However, bats are nonetheless threatened with extinction by a number of factors, including habitat loss, climate change, and widespread pesticide use to control the very mosquitos they need to eat and survive.
Pesticide and herbicide use is especially pernicious and is another example of how big giant corporations that make these poisons rig the system against the rest of us and against our environment. We can't ban it locally if it's a legally approved substance. How about we change that, giving our towns' voters local control over their use in our communities? I give you another example: Round Up. The poison is still widely available, even though it is linked to lymphoma, a cancer I nearly died of 15 years ago. The poison has also been linked to the widespread collapse of beehives. Yes, bees, the little guys that pollinate most all of our fruits and vegetables.
We use way too much poison. As the good folks of Lee well recognize, taking on the entrenched interests of the multi-national polluter lobby may seem like the work of David vs. Goliath. Still, it's a fight worth fighting. These will be hard-fought battles. I'd be honored to help lead the charge on your behalf as your State Representative.
Meanwhile, I urge you to refrain from their use on your property.
Worth saving.
Monument Multi-Class Reunion: Save the Date!
From June 20-23, there are several events to celebrate the Class of 1984. All classes are welcome at the event on Saturday, June 22, from 11am-5pm at the VFW in Great Barrington. I hope to see you all there!
You can learn more at:
https://www.mmrhsclassof84.com
Atop Monument Mountain.
Harlem Road Trip
Does anyone want to take a road trip with me to the Inaugural Gene Norman Preservation Awards Gala in Harlem on the evening of May 23? One of the awardees is Donna Mussenden Van Der Zee. Donna is the widow of renowned photographer James Van Der Zee, a central figure during the Harlem Renaissance and beyond, who captured the essence of Harlem in his photography. I have had the pleasure of discussing a local project with Donna to celebrate James' work.
James grew up in Lenox in the Berkshires in the early 20th century. Donna is a dedicated steward of his vast archive, ensuring the preservation and accessibility of his iconic work. In 2021, Donna was pivotal in establishing the James Van Der Zee Archive at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. She actively participates in symposiums and exhibitions, sharing insights into Van Der Zee's life and artistic process.
Call or email me if you'd like to join me. Tickets can be purchased at:
https://www.saveharlemnow.org/events/inaugural-gene-norman-preservation-awards-gala
Photo: Donna Mussenden Van Der Zee, 1982. James Van Der Zee Archive, The Metropolitan Museum of Art; Gift of Donna Van Der Zee, 2021. Copyright © James Van Der Zee Archive, The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Last Thoughts: When a 94-Year-Old Stranger Came Knocking at My Door
A few years back… Sadie gave a sudden, sharp bark, a sure sign there was someone in the driveway. It turned out to be a 94-year-old woman named Helen Chang. She had road-tripped three hours from Long Island to my home, as she had lived in this house in the Berkshires in the mid-1950s!
I happily invited them in. We both shared many memories of the house where I grew up. She lived well before my earlier tenure. Sharp as a tack, she pointed out details that I'd long forgotten: The pantry's door was now gone, and the back door was repositioned to the opposite side. We both looked at the weird half-bathtub downstairs and laughed, remembering the need to squeeze in to get clean long ago!
She asked about Music Inn, a long-ago outdoor concert venue that opened in 1950 and closed in 1979, around the corner from Tanglewood. We shared our admiration for Stephanie Barber, its founder. It's gone, but the buildings are still there and are now part of the White Pines condo complex. We traded memories of Wheatleigh, the estate for which my house was once a gatehouse. We remembered how Wheatleigh Drive used to go through the front yard. She marveled at the number of "new" local houses, as this was the only one in the neighborhood back then.
I offered to take them on a Music Inn and Wheatleigh tour. We drove around and reminisced, and I waved them goodbye as they headed East on another adventure. I thanked Helen, who has since passed, for brightening my day and reminding me that we are temporary stewards of our extraordinary old homes.
I'm hovering behind Helen and her son Morgan.
Closing Request
Thank you so much for being part of this journey! If you're excited about our campaign and want to help, there are a few easy ways to get involved. You can share our message with your neighbors, volunteer with us, or donate — every little bit helps us reach more people.
Check out our website at patrickwhiteberkshires.com for more details on how to get involved or make a donation. Every action helps us to win.
Want to Learn More?
Please consider supporting my candidacy to represent you in the State House. To learn more, visit https://www.patrickwhiteberkshires.com
You can donate by clicking here:
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/patrick-3rd
Or you can mail a check to:
Patrick Thomas White Committee
81 Hawthorne Street
Lenox, MA 01240
I've reached about 25% of my fundraising goal. Thanks for any help you can provide. I am in it to win it and am running to effect real change. I'd love to have your support.
Warmly,
Patrick White
PS: You can find detailed positions on my campaign website:
https://www.patrickwhiteberkshires.com
Collecting signatures in Dalton.
Previous Notes
Week ending 4/19/2024
Housing - Trails - Internet - Healthcare - Singing Praise. read more
Week ending 4/12/2024
Dog Day Afternoons. read more
Week ending 4/5/2024
Remembering Searles Middle School. read more
Week ending 3/29/2024
It's all about the jobs. read more
Week ending 3/22/2024
Snow - Taxes - Childcare - Grants - School Play read more
Week ending 3/15/2024
Economic development, family farms, why just water? read more
Week ending 3/8/2024
Affordable housing, Climate Advisory Board, Multicultural Bridge, economic development, ROR filing. read more
Week ending 3/1/2024
West Stockbridge rent control brief, PCB radio interview, cancer and the river, reducing property taxes. read more
