To the Editor:

Having lived in Stockbridge for eighteen years, served on the ZBA, and been involved in Town activities for that time, I find this year’s contest for Town Moderator quite perplexing. Cries of the challenger “politicizing” the position ring hollow in light of the letters doing exactly that. Support of the candidate of one’s choice is the democratic way. To question the intentions and motivations of another candidate vying for a position is not. Debate, the posing of questions and alternative ideas are all healthy pursuits when running for an office in government. To attempt to diminish a candidate by questioning, even distorting any candidate’s motivation for running are disappointing responses. 

I ask my friends and neighbors in Stockbridge to take the high road. Listen to what the candidates themselves are saying. Please make the effort to research the platforms of both candidates, carefully consider what is being offered, and vote your conscience. Now that is “The Stockbridge Way”.

Bob Jones

To the Editor:

On April 14th, I wrote a letter to the Stockbridge Updates supporting Gary Johnston. My letter emphasized that Gary Johnston understands and lives by the apolitical nature of the role of the Town Moderator. As such, among other things, the Moderator should not be taking positions on financial matters and, moreover, should not be appointing members of the Finance Committee (FC) on the basis of their political views or ideas about how the Town should be run from a financial perspective (this is not to say that the members of the FC can’t have their own ideas but they should not be appointed by — and potential members should not be excluded by — the Moderator on account of those ideas). 

Michael Roisman wrote a response to my letter citing the political positions taken by the FC on the Residential Tax Exemption and other matters. Of course, the FC opines on and advises the Select Board on political matters. That’s their job. What Mr. Roisman has done is to conflate the role of the Town Moderator with the role of the FC. That’s incorrect.

This is my argument why Carole Owens, whose positions on various town financial matters are well publicized by her in Stockbridge Updates, The Berkshire Eagle, the Berkshire Edge, and her www.owensmoderator.com, would be better positioned as a Select Board member, not as Town Moderator. Carole has strong views. While admirable, they will taint appointments she would make to the FC. Gary Johnston understands the role and that is what has made him a successful Moderator for decades.

Ed Lane

To the Editor:

The appearance of political signs on lawns is a sure sign that it’s springtime in the Berkshires. April showers bring May flowers as well as the Annual Town Meeting and Town Election in Stockbridge and surrounding towns. Lawn signs appear that alert passersby that there’s an upcoming election. They increase name recognition for candidates and awareness of issues that are on the ballot or warrant. Lawn signs, political buttons, letters to the editor, postcards, tee shirts, hats are all part of protected political speech which is still permitted in our democracy under our First Amendment rights. The First Amendment grants freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Everyone has the right to display a political sign prior to an election. To call political signs pollution or suggest we should keep our opinions to ourselves denigrates our form of government and minimizes our rights. No one should be taking down other voters’ lawn signs. Signs come down after the election. Election Day is the finale when candidates and their supporters stand out in front of Town Hall with signs for their candidate and get to enjoy chatting with voters and other candidates. 

In contested races the candidates may have different views and political beliefs which is why it’s important for voters to be informed before voting. Stockbridge Democrats held a caucus in April to hear from candidates and voted on which ones to endorse. The words Democratic Caucus Nominee appear after their name on the ballot. 

Vote for Carole Owens for Moderator!

Stockbridge Democrats endorsed Carole Owens for Moderator. In her own words, Carole has published Stockbridge Updates to “inform without opinion or pressure and give the people of Stockbridge the facts they need to make informed decisions.” Along those lines, Carole publishes statements from the candidates for town offices including from herself and her opponent. Stockbridge Updates also publishes opinions from readers – clearly marked – even if Carole does not agree.

Contrasting Carole’s statements with Gary’s will shine a light on some of their differences and support Carole’s endorsement. 

Carole’s response to Why am I running?

“I love where I live, I love what we stand for, and I love our history. I have served on the Community Preservation Committee for many years because it funds open space, affordable housing, and historic preservation — the basic values that makes Stockbridge what it is. Moderator is an apolitical, historic position — I honor Town Meeting — the People’s Meeting — and the historic role of moderator. The pilgrims and the puritans held their first Town Meeting in Massachusetts, 1622!”

On the other hand, Gary’s statement in Stockbridge Updates raises some very important concerns. Voters may know who he is but may not be aware of his political beliefs and motivation. 

Gary states “I have turned away from lawn signs because I believe they diminish the beauty of our wonderful town, and after 46 years as moderator, the vast majority of voters know who I am and what I am running for. Additionally, one of the greatest aids to recently come about is the use of voting clickers that turn every vote into a secret ballot, protecting the privacy of every voter. Lawn signs are counterproductive to this effort. ” 

Wow! As chair of the Stockbridge Democratic Town Committee. I take protection of our First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and freedom of the press, including political speech, very seriously. No one should feel intimidated or have to worry about publicly supporting a candidate or issue whether it be by displaying a lawn sign, writing a letter to the editor, wearing a political button, tee shirt, hat or holding up a card to vote at Town Meeting.

Vote for Carole for Moderator!

Anita Schwerner, Chair Democratic Town Committee

To the Editor:

Stockbridge Moderator Election Thoughts

Regarding recent letters supporting current Stockbridge Moderator Gary Johnston in the upcoming election, I was struck by a couple of thoughts. The Finance Committee is not elected, but we have heard from their supporters, past and present Committee members, in the Eagle and elsewhere on behalf of Gary and in praise of the Committee.

The Moderator runs the Town Meeting and appoints the Finance Committee, an informed financial advisory body at the Town Meeting serving all participants. I believe that this is the original intended function of the Finance Committee, and its principle responsibility. For the senior members of the Finance Committee especially, the re-election of the current Moderator may be seen as critical by them if they wish to retain their appointed seats. Not political?

I believe Finance Committee members have expressed various political views to the Eagle and other media outlets over the years, ending letters by saying they are writing as private citizens. I would ask them and their supporters to extend the same courtesy to Gary’s challenger for Moderator, Carole Owens, as she publishes her Stockbridge Updates newsletter, in which she also speaks as a private citizen, assuring voters that she adheres to the same standard as the Finance Committee in this regard.

I write this as a private citizen who is okay with election lawn signs for all. 

Bruce Blair