Editorial

Editorial: Cause for Celebration

My father told me, “Have the party the night before, then, win or lose, you don’t miss a party.”

My father had a good attitude toward life and provided clever words to live by. I follow them, including, never miss the opportunity for a party. 

On May 21, win or lose, there is a party at my house for all those who supported me. It’s a chance to do two important things: say thank you for the “kitchen cabinet” meetings they sat through, the signs they placed, the letters they wrote, and the contributions they made. I am deeply grateful. It is a chance to toast the winner. If Gary wins, we will toast Gary. If I win, we will toast me. 

I don’t think this race is about me or Gary, and certainly not about who sits on the Finance Committee. This race is about Stockbridge.

The village is facing challenges. Some think to do so with the same-old-same-old is just fine. Others think that may not meet the need. 

Some people think appointments to FC have been fair. Others feel snubbed and their offer of serving on FC ignored or rebuffed.

Some think the Finance Committee, an appointed committee, should advise the elected Select Board and tell Town Meeting how to vote. Others think the job of the Finance Committee is to give accurate information to Town Meeting so the voters fully understand the articles and have the knowledge they need to vote their will.

Those are the differing views in this election. I respect everyone’s right to their opinions. My hope is that we vote in the best interest of Stockbridge. We are a little village with limited resources facing a big and changing world. Let’s do our best for Stockbridge.

Please…

Read the attached Warrant. 

Be prepared for our Town Meeting on May 20. It is your meeting; vote for the bylaws you wish to follow and the expenditures you wish to pay — no more and no less.

Vote on May 21. 

Then…

Congratulate the winners whether they are your candidate or not. Thank both winners and losers for their willingness to serve Stockbridge.

by Carole Owens , Executive Editor

News

Town Meeting Warrant

Town Meeting May 20 Warrant attached — click here

News

Town Elections May 21 — Offices for Election:

3 Year Term

• Moderator
• Select Board
• Board of Assessors
• Board of Health
• Sewer & Water Commissioner
• Parks & Recreation
• Tree Warden *

* If the article to appoint rather than elect our tree warden fails at Town Meeting — the following day, you can write in a candidate of your choice. The 2 that originally offered to run and collected their signatures were: Lisa Bozzuto and Hugh Page

5 Year Term

• Planning Board
• Housing Authority

Candidates who have taken out and returned papers:

• Chuck Cardillo: Select Board Member
• Lisa Sauer: Select Board Member
• Eric Egan: Planning Board
• Gary Johnston: Moderator
• Carole Owens: Moderator
• Katie Szwyd: Parks and Recreation
• Nick Fredsall Parks & Recreation
• Anne Rabinowitz: Housing Authority
• Don Schneyer: Water and Sewer
• Dr. Charles Kenny: Board of Health
• Gary Pitney: Board of Assessors

News

SU FYI

Stockbridge Cemetery: Volunteers for Headstone Cleaning

Please join us for the first stone cleaning day of 2024 on Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 10AM to 3PM, weather permitting. Stay for all or only part of the day! 

The public (including children aged 12 and up) is invited to come and participate. No experience is necessary. Instructions will be given on site, and supplies will be provided. Bring your own work attire and gloves are recommended.

No sign-up is necessary, however emailing your intention to participate and the time you might be there to ccurrie@stockbridge-ma.gov would be helpful to ensure we have enough supplies.

Let’s meet at the Stockbridge Cemetery Main Street entrance. 

Thank you in advance for helping preserve Stockbridge history! 

Sincerely,

Candace Currie
Vice-Chair Stockbridge Cemetery Commission

Laurel Hill Association Launches Environmental Essay Competition for Stockbridge Students

Students in the 8th, 9th, and 10th grades attending W.E.B. Du Bois, Monument Mountain, Berkshire Country Day, and Waldorf schools, as well as Stockbridge homeschoolers, are invited to participate. They are encouraged to write a 900-word maximum essay addressing the question: “What do you think are the biggest challenges to the environment? If you were in charge, how would you meet these challenges?”

The winner of the competition will be awarded a prize of $250., with an honorable mention prize of $100. Winning essays will also have the opportunity to be published in local news outlets, providing a platform for students to share their perspectives and ideas with the broader community.

The deadline for essay submissions is June 30th. Complete competition details and submission guidelines can be found at laurelhillassociation.org/essay.

The Laurel Hill Association is committed to fostering environmental awareness and civic engagement among students in Stockbridge Schools. Through initiatives like this essay competition, the association aims to empower young minds to explore environmental challenges and propose innovative solutions for a sustainable future.

Founded in 1853, Laurel Hill Association of Stockbridge, Massachusetts, is the oldest village improvement society in the United States. Our mission is to improve the quality of life and of the environment in the town of Stockbridge. Some of our activities include maintaining trails and properties for the public to enjoy, planting trees and flowers to beautify the town, and cooperating with the town and other organizations for community welfare.

For more information about the Laurel Hill Association and its initiatives, please visit laurelhillassociation.org.

www.laurelhillassociation.org/essay

Julie Love Edmunds

Faithful Friends

Community Dog Day at Norman Rockwell Museum May 19 at 11:00AM – 3:00PM

Perspective

From the Desk of Town Administrator Michael Canales — On the Ballot question: to elect or appoint?

I am writing to provide a balanced perspective on Article 15, a significant proposal set for deliberation at the upcoming Town Meeting on Monday, May 20th, and for vote on Tuesday, May 21st. This proposal seeks to transition the role of Town Clerk from an elected position to one appointed by the Select Board.

The Town Clerk plays a crucial role within the administrative structure of Stockbridge. Traditionally, the Town Clerk has been elected—a practice that reflects our commitment to democratic principles and ensures direct accountability to the electorate. This method is believed to safeguard the Clerk’s independence from the Select Board, thus preventing potential conflicts of interest and preserving the integrity of the position.

On the other hand, the changing dynamics of modern governance and the need for administrative efficiency present a compelling argument for appointing the Town Clerk. Such a change would align Stockbridge with contemporary administrative practices that prioritize professional qualifications and strategic integration over popular election. An appointed Town Clerk would be selected through a rigorous process focused on specific competencies and professional experience, crucial for managing the complexities of the role.

While the election process allows for democratization of the selection, it also carries the risk of electing an individual who may lack the necessary technical skills or experience. Additionally, an appointed Town Clerk could facilitate structured succession planning and adapt more readily to the rapidly evolving demands of municipal administration.

It is essential, however, to acknowledge that transitioning to an appointed position could diminish the direct influence Stockbridge residents currently exercise over this selection. Such a move might lead to perceptions of reduced transparency and a greater susceptibility to internal politics.

The tradition of electing the Town Clerk has undoubtedly served Stockbridge well. However, the potential benefits of appointing a qualified professional—particularly in terms of administrative efficiency, professional management, and strategic alignment with municipal goals—warrant careful consideration.

As we approach the Town Meeting, I encourage all residents of Stockbridge to thoughtfully consider the merits and drawbacks of both options. Regardless of the outcome, our current Town Clerk, Terri Iemolini who supports having the position appointed, will continue to serve the Town of Stockbridge, ensuring continuity, knowledge and stability.

This decision will shape the future of town governance, and it is vital that it reflects the informed will of the community.

Editor’s note: Appointed positions are open to folks who do not live in Stockbridge. Elected positions are open to Stockbridge residents only. Two positions are on the Warrant to switch from elected to appointed positions — Tree Warden and Clerk.

Conversations

SU Interview: Naomi Spatz 

Naomi Spatz shares her love of Stockbridge.

The Last Word

Reader to Reader

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

Photography

Happy Spring!

Thanks to all our photographers.