Issue: September 2017
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Fear of empowerment — In a Vermont town, goal of ‘climate economy’ draws support, resistance
In a Vermont town, goal of ‘climate economy’ draws support, resistance Michelle Pekrol and some other residents of Pownal, Vt., have organized under the name SOS Pownal to oppose a new planning initiative aimed at helping the town better prepare for climate change. Joan K. Lentini photo By EVAN LAWRENCEContributing writer POWNAL, Vt. This read more
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A sanctuary for all seekers
Sufi retreat keeps spiritual focus in former Shaker buildings The Abode of the Message, a Sufi community and retreat center in New Lebanon, N.Y., was established in 1975 in a collection of 19th century buildings that were once part of the large local Shaker community. Susan Sabino photo By STACEY MORRISContributing writer NEW LEBANON, read more
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Trading old hazards for new? — Mystery shrouds chemicals that replaced PFOA
The Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics plant on McCaffrey Street in Hoosick Falls is blamed for contaminating the village’s drinking water wells with perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA. The chemical has been phased out of production, raising questions about what industries like Saint-Gobain are using in its place. Joan K. Lentini photo By TRACY FRISCHContributing writer HOOSICK FALLS, read more
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To age in place, it takes a village
Volunteer networks planned in Berkshire, Columbia counties Shirley and Howard Shapiro are working to establish a volunteer network in central Berkshire County, affiliated with the national Village to Village nonprofit group, to help seniors live independently. John Townes photo By JOHN TOWNESContributing writer LENOX, Mass. Two separate efforts are under way in Berkshire and read more
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Berkshire Museum pushes toward sale of artwork as resistance grows
Berkshire Museum pushes toward sale of artwork as resistance grows The Berkshire Museum has proposed shifting its focus more to science and natural history — and selling off 40 works of art from its collection to help bolster its endowment and pay for renovations. But art lovers are calling on the museum’s leaders to halt read more
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Smart growth, red herrings and a town’s climate plan
In the great cacophony of our democratic system, it’s hardly unusual to hear claims of backroom deals, hidden agendas and all sorts of shenanigans aimed at subverting the public good for private or political gain. Sometimes these claims even turn out to be true. But sometimes public servants with pure motives wind up being unfairly read more