Hi Carole,
Just wanted to mention that I just read your book, The Berkshires Coach Inns to Cottages, and loved it! I had no idea of all the books you’ve written. We’re so lucky to have you! Thanks so much for all you do!
Have a great day,
Ruth Haney (Riverbrook)
Dear Ruth,
Thank you for the kind words and also for the services you and your colleagues provide and the great “vibe” at Riverbrook. It is a beam of sunlight bathing our whole community.
Best Carole
Dear Updates:
As a member of the Stockbridge Memorial Day Parade Committee, which includes a number of our veterans, I would like to add a voice to those with concerns over the new Chamber of Commerce directional signs, especially the one in front of the Civil War Monument in the center of town. Our parade is a tribute to veterans past and present as well as a symbol of American town life and spirit. With good reason, our parade stops in front of the Civil War Monument for clergy to speak and a salute to be fired. The land on which the monument stands was always meant to be unobstructed in order to remind all Americans of the great sacrifices made by our veterans to preserve the nation.
As an individual resident, I would add that the intersection is probably the worst traffic feature in town. To expect that people would slow down or stop to read the sign and not impede traffic is very unlikely, and probably unsafe.
I would also add that whatever process or requirements were met by town officials in notifying residents about the new signs were inadequate. Without examining the notices given, I would just say that adhering to formal notice requirements is not a goal unto itself. If most people still did not find out what was happening until the signs were up, then we need better ways to inform residents. With all due respect to everyone, ensuring successful outreach on important matters needs particular handling.
Bruce Blair
Dear Readers,
Sad to say, I receive a version of this letter after every issue: “Dear Carole, I have very much appreciated receiving your Stockbridge Updates for many years now, but it looks like I stopped getting it as of last July. I just came to realize this and am writing to find out whether I can get back on your mailing list, as I have a home in Stockbridge. Many thanks for your help on the above request.”
There are a couple of possibilities for not receiving SU. One is your server decides Stockbridge Updates is spam. Look in your spam folder, or, if you can communicate with your server, enter the SU email address and click “always allow” you will have no more trouble. If you don’t know how to communicate with your server (and I sure don’t) then go to Vol. V No. 18 9/15/2024
and in the upper right — reenter your email and click submit. At the same time you can see all past issues including the one you just missed.
The second reason is too techie for me to understand, but it seems at some level the email lists for the Patrick White newsletter and Stockbridge Updates are intertwined. Again, I don’t understand why or how, but I do know if you unsubscribe from Patrick’s newsletter and/or campaign material, it will unsubscribe you from SU simultaneously. If that was not your intension, go to www.stockbridgeupdates.com
and reenter your email address.
We sure hope no one has any more trouble, and everyone receives and enjoys SU.
Carole Owens
To the Editor
This is why I am running as an unenrolled or independent candidate for the 3rd Berkshire District:
When Kevin proposed to me, I told him a qualified yes: I would marry him if he understood that I intended to run for Congress.
Well, that congressional campaign never happened, mostly due to intentions the Navy had for Kevin. Arriving in the Berkshires in 2001, Smitty Pignatelli was a political fixture. I focused my energies on community activism, local government, raising three daughters, and my area of expertise: affordable housing.
Over the years, I have changed party affiliation. I was raised in a Conservative Catholic household, and I was Republican in my early years, as were my parents. Since then, I have been registered as democrat, unenrolled and republican. I have switched parties over the years, exercising my constitutionally protected right, and to that, I answer to no one.
I last changed my voter registration in late 2023 to allow a vote in the primary of my choosing in the Presidential Primary on March 5th.
On March 6, I reenrolled as a democrat and pulled Democratic Party papers. In reading those papers, I immediately realized the deadline to declare party affiliation for the election had passed. Having learned I had no choice but to run as unenrolled, I embraced that reality and dedicated myself to representing all parties, not just one. (In fact, while the Statehouse might be composed largely of members of the two main political parties, in Berkshire County over 60% of voters are registered as unenrolled.) I realized my mistake, walked back into The City Clerk in Pittsfield and the Office of Political Campaign Finance assisted me in straightening out the paperwork: let the race begin.
I might have been clearer about the details of my early candidacy, but I never lied. I did in fact CHOOSE to run unenrolled. And I have ALWAYS intended to represent EVERYONE in the 3rd Berkshire District.
I will happily put up my experience and ability to get things done against my opponent’s.
My record of activism, advocacy, integrity and public service has never swayed. My middle-of-the-road progressivism with a dash of fiscal conservatism has served my constituents in Lenox quite well. And I will continue that service to all 18 towns of the Berkshire 3rd on Beacon Hill come January ‘25.
Mary Beth Mitts
Editor’s note: SU was delighted to hear from Mary Beth Mitts and looks forward to a letter or article from Leigh Davis. On the ballot in November, the voters from the 18 towns that make up the Berkshire3rd District will decide which will represent us in Boston.
