ENTERTAINMENT / HEALTH

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Jane Swift's Official Gubernatorial Portrait Unveiled At NA Library

The North Adams Public Library the place where Jane Swift's official gubernatorial portrait is unveiled and also the home of some 10 boxes of documents chronicling her political career.

The documents include letters from Presidents George H-W Bush, George W Bush and the Duke of York...but Swift says some of her favorites were cards she received when her girls were born.

Those documents can be viewed by researchers and the general public, by appointment Swift, a North Adams native, won an election for State Senator in 1990 and eventually became the first female Governor of Massachusetts. Stacey Rainey, her former chief of staff, says Swift was a role model for many young women in the Berkshires.

North Adams Mayor John Barrett says the painting gives Swift the distinguished look she deserves. He says it's an honor for the city and the library to have her archives stored there.

As for the portrait, Swift says she loves it...and her confidence in artist Sarah Belchetz-Swenson of Williamsburg was well-placed. The portrait will be unveiled today in Boston, where it'll hang next to those of other past governors at the statehouse

Massachusetts Delegation Call On Bush To Expand Disaster Declaration In State

U-S Congressman John Olver and the rest of the Massachusetts delegation on Capitol Hill calling on the President to expand the disaster declaration outside of Bristol County.

Olver says recent rains and flooding have wreaked havoc on communities large and small all across Massachusetts, not just in Taunton, where the Whittenton Pond Dam is in poor condition.

Compared with Hurricanes Rita and Katrina, the damage in western Mass is relatively minor, but Olver says the impact is just as real for families that have been displaced or lost their homes. With damage to roads and bridges totaling well into the millions, Olver says small towns need emergency aid, which is why an expanded emergency declaration is needed.

If the President does expand the emergency declaration, the damage in Berkshire County must total at least 6 million dollars in order to qualify for federal disaster aid.

Springfield Roman Catholic Diocese To Reorganize

Officials at the Springfield Roman Catholic Diocese are doing a head count as part of plans to reconfigure the diocese.

Diocese spokesman Mark Dupont says the count began during the weekend of October 16th and will wind up on the final weekend of this month. The purpose of taking attendance is to determine which churches can be closed or merged.

A demographic study is also underway...which reportedly shows the number of Catholics in the Springfield diocese is dropping. In 1984 there were about 350 thousand, but by 2004, that number had fallen to around 241 thousand.

State Ed Board Recommending Approval Of 36-Year Financing For Bart

The Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School in Adams is operating on a five-year charter, but is seeking state approval to pay off a 6 million dollar loan over 36 years.

The BArT Charter Public School's state license to operate at One Commercial Place in Adams expires in June 2009, but that charter can be renewed unless the school is failing financially or academically. The BArT Foundation recently announced plans to buy the building...now school officials are asking the state's permission to pay off the necessary loan over a 36-year period.

If repayment terms exceed five years, charter schools in Massachusetts need state approval first. The state board of ed meets Tuesday - State Education Commissioner David Driscoll is recommending approval of the 36-year financing for BArT.

Adams Man Sentenced To Jail For Drunken Driving Conviction

Northern Berkshire District Court Judge Michael Ripps sends an Adams man to jail for at least a year and slaps over 22 hundred dollars in fines and fees on him after he was convicted of 4th offense drunken driving.

42-year-old Mark Rickert of Bellevue Ave was charged with a 4th offense O-U-I, operating with a suspended license and registration, uninsured motor vehicle and failure to wear a seat belt following a May 16th stop in Adams. He was sentenced Friday to 2-and-a-half years in jail, one year direct. The judge also imposed a total of 22 hundred 25 dollars in fines and other fees.

After serving jail time, Rickert will be on probation until October 2007, on the condition he remains drug and alcohol free.

Berkshire County Residents Asked To Help Neighbors Pay For Fuel

All of Berkshire County is being asked to support an effort to help those in need pay their heating bills this winter [so as to avoid making people "choose between eatin' and heatin'."]

North Adams Mayor John Barrett [borrowing a line from former Congressman Silvio Conte] announced the effort this morning, the goal of which is to collect at least 100 thousand dollars from residents and the local business community. Monies donated would go into an emergency fund set up by the Berkshire Community Action Council. That fund would be tapped once federal fuel assistance monies get used up, which B-C-A-C officials say could happen before the end of 2005.

Barrett says rising costs of utilities and heating bills will make this an especially difficult winter for the working poor.

Events to benefit the county-wide fundraising drive are being scheduled by local churches and other organizations.

B-C-A-C is still awaiting word from the state and federal government on this year's benefit levels for the fuel assistance program, paid for mostly through federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program monies.

In addition to the 56 hundred Berkshire County families that received fuel assistance last winter, B-C-A-C is expecting at least a thousand new enrollees this year. More information is available 24 hours a day by calling 866-216-6100.

Survey Finds Gas Prices Down 13 Cents To Pre-Hurricane Level

Gasoline prices have returned to pre-Hurricane Katrina levels in Massachusetts.

The latest weekly survey by Triple A of southern New England finds self-serve regular averaging two dollars, 57 cents a gallon in the Bay State.

That's down 13 cents from a week ago and 23 cents in the past two weeks.

When Katrina struck in late August, the average price for self-serve regular in Massachusetts was two dollars, 61 cents a gallon. It quickly rose to record levels before moderating as Gulf Coast refinery operations began to recover.

Gas prices locally are running slightly below the current national average of two dollars, 66 cents a gallon for self-serve regular. Thursday, September 15, 2005

Constitutional Amendment On Same Sex Marriage Defeated

The constitutional amendment on same sex marriage defeated on Beacon Hill Wednesday apparently pleased no one.

The amendment to ban gay marriage, but allow civil unions in Massachusetts passed 105-92 last year, but was rejected Wednesday by a margin of 157-39. In order to go to a statewide referendum, it needed to pass a second straight vote of the legislature.

State Representative Denis Guyer of Dalton voted no, saying the constitution should grant rights, not deny them. Guyer says there are more important issues in state government right now.

State Representative Dan Bosley says there has been a same sex marriage law on the books for months now...and so far there haven't been any problems.

State Attorney General Tom Reilly recently certified a new petition that aims to ban both gay marriage and civil unions. If that petition gains legislative approval in two straight sessions, the earliest it could go to the voters would be 2008.

Becket Resident Accused Of Murder Held On Bail

A former Becket resident accused in the slaying of a Pittsfield man is being held on one million dollars bail.

23-year-old Damien Lamb was in Berkshire Superior Court yesterday. He HAD been held WITHOUT bail since his arrest in July for the alleged killing of 21-year-old Brandon LaBonte.

Prosecutors allege Lamb lured LaBonte to a house in Becket on February 16th, beat him with a shovel, stomped on him, and strangled him with a rope -- because of a 150-dollar debt. Investigators believe his body was buried in a remote section of the town of Peru, but it has never been found.

Lamb and others also face charges in connection with an alleged assault on LaBonte ten days before his disappearance.

Public Hearing To Be Held In Adams On Removal Of Tree 22 Maple Trees

Electric utility National Grid says it wants to remove at least 22 maple trees on Valley Street in Adams that is says are the cause of frequent power outages caused by problems with area transmission lines.

A National Grid spokeswoman says the maples will be replaced by a smaller species of tree that will not interfere with the lines.

A public hearing on the issue has been scheduled for October 3rd.

Over Two Dozen Clarksburg Residents Voice Opposition To Nude Dancing At Restaurant

Concerns including the need for increased police presence and issues of morality all raised by a group of Clarksburg residents opposed to allowing nude entertainment in the town.

Over two dozen packed into town hall for Wednesday's meeting of the selectmen, who are being asked to modify an existing entertainment license to allow full nudity. That application from Mountain View Restaurant owner Mike Milazzo, who says he watched the proceedings on public access T-V, but declined to comment.

Bob Norcross of Conti Drive says the town's reputation has already been damaged, with all the recent media attention.

The town of Clarksburg has nothing on the books legally that restricts entertainment -- but the selectmen, as licensing authority, can attach conditions to a entertainment license.

A public hearing on Milazzo's application will be held Wednesday, October 26th. From then, the selectmen will have 45 days to render a decision on the matter.

Pittsfield Man Arrested For Threatening Adams Woman With Knife

A Pittsfield man is in jail for allegedly threatening an Adams woman with what police describe as a large knife.

37-year-old Pietro DiTomasso was arraigned in Northern Berkshire District Court yesterday on a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon.

He was arrested Wednesday morning on Howland Avenue in Adams after police responded to a 9-1-1 call from that location. Officers allege DiTomasso appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, drugs or both. Police report finding a large knife, then placing DiTomasso under arrest.

DiTomasso pleaded not guilty and is being held on one thousand dollars cash or surety bail.

Berkshire United Way Announces campaign Goal For 2005

The Berkshire United Way has announced their 2005 campaign goal -- hoping to raise 3.1 million dollars during the campaign which had its official kickoff this week.

Campaign co-chairs Carolyn Burns and David Phelps announced that early Pacesetter campaigns have raised 24 percent of the goal already, or about 743 thousand dollars.

In addition to kicking off the campaign, The United Way announced that it's donating 15 thousand dollars to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. The Salvation Army and American Red Cross Disaster Relief Funds will each receive 5 thousand...The United Way Hurricane Katrina Response Fund will get the other 5 thousand.

Berkshire Dance Theatre Plans Move In Adams

Berkshire Dance Theatre planning to move it’s Adams studio from Commercial Street to the former Notre Dame School building.

B-D-T Executive Director Eileen Clark tells i-berkshires-dot-com the move would give them a great opportunity to expand their dance program.

The town's Zoning Board of Appeals will need to approve a special permit, allowing the school to offer dance and fitness classes.

A public hearing will be held September 27th at Town Hall.

I-berkshires.com reports Berkshire Dance Theater's current lease at 34 Commercial Street expires at the end of September and has not been renewed. Clark tells the website that if a permit were approved on the 27th, they would be able to open the new space by October 1st. Friday, May 20, 2005

Saturday, June 25, 2005

Lawmakers Approve Compromise Version Of $24 Billion Budget Plan

With the fiscal year quickly winding down, lawmakers have approved a final 24 billion dollar spending plan.

The final document, a compromise between separate versions of the budget approved by the House and Senate, now heads to Governor Mitt Romney.

The Republican governor has ten days to make any vetoes.

The spending plan covers the 2006 fiscal year beginning July First.

A spokeswoman for Romney says the office will begin studying the document.

Democrats hold overwhelming majorities in both chambers and can easily override most Romney vetoes. State Representative Dan Bosley says Berkshire County fared well, with a number of high-priority items included in the 24 billion dollar spending plan.

Among the items of local interest a 250 thousand dollar item to finance the start up of the Berkshire wireless learning initiative, aimed at putting laptop computers in the hands of every middle school student in North Adams and Pittsfield.

Other monies include a one-time 500 thousand dollar grant for North Adams Regional hospital to help pay costs of providing free care...also there’s 300 thousand for the Mohawk Theater project in North Adams

These and other items will have to be okayed by the governor before they will be funded, but Bosley feels that the votes are there to sustain a veto should one occur.

Legislative leaders say they successfully curtailed efforts to load down the budget with non-budget amendments.

The budget approved last year had more than 400 of the so-called "outside sections" compared to just 38 in the new budget.

Demolition Of Photech Mill Williamstown Set For August

What’s been an eyesore in the town of Williamstown for the past 16 years will finally be demolished in early August.

Officials with the Environmental Protection Agency tell the Berkshire Eagle the agency is planning to spend up to 880 thousand dollars for demolition of the Photech Mill on Cole Avenue.

Photech Imaging Systems abandoned its manufacturing operations there in 1989. The building’s condition has worsened ever since...culminating in a roof collapse in August 2003.

The Eagle quotes E-P-A officials as saying there’s a potential for asbestos to be released in the air upon demolition, and that they will work with the demolition contractor to avoid having any contamination seep into the nearby Hoosic River.

Vermont State Police Investigate Stamford Burglaries

Vermont State Police are investigating a string of recent burglaries in the town of Stamford.

Troopers say a person or persons broke into and damaged five cabins on Klondike Road, County Road and Schenk Road sometime between 4 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m. Wednesday of this week.

Police have not identified any suspects at this time, but they’re asking for the public’s help in the investigation.

Anyone who may have seen any suspicious vehicles in that area of Stamford Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning is asked to call state police at 802-442-7057.

Bart Charter School May Hold Lottery

With applications for fall 2005 still coming in, the Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School may need to conduct a lottery at the end of this month.

BaRT Charter Public School officials reported an enrollment projection of 176 for next year, as BaRT expands from grades 6 and 9 to having grades 6, 7, 9 and 10. There have been a number of deadlines to apply throughout the spring, the last one coming on May 20th. For those that applied since then, a lottery may need to be held June 30th. BaRT Executive Director Julia Bowen explains...

An open house is being held on Saturday at One Commercial Place in Adams. As for the proposed purchase and expansion of that building, Bowen says no decisions have been made by the board of trustees.

Standard And Poor’s Rating Service Drops Northern Berkshire Healthcare Rating

Just a few weeks after the Fitch Rating service dropped it’s bond rating on Northern Berkshire healthcare, the more well-known Standard and Poor’s Rating service has followed suit, dropping the company from “B-B” to “BB Minus”.

The rating agencies note operating losses from the first two quarters of 2005, on top of the 1.7 million dollar loss posted by the health care provider in 2004.

N-B-H president and C-E-O John Cronin says the ratings change is small and will have no effect on the 20 million dollar expansion and renovation project at the hospital.

The CARE Campaign, raising money for that effort, is now above the 10 million dollar mark with a goal of 12 million.

Officials Believe A Bear Killed Family Dog In Stockbridge

Authorities in Stockbridge believe a bear attacked and killed a family dog in the Interlaken neighborhood.

The Wheeler family's German shepherd-Lab mix was found dead in their yard late Wednesday afternoon. Stockbridge Police Chief Richard Wilcox said the wounds were consistent with those that a bear would inflict.

The state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife office in Pittsfield calls it the first serious bear attack of the season, and said it appeared to involve a single bear.

Wilcox said the main outbreak of bear visits typically takes place after the influx of summer visitors in early July.

Mother Nature Set To Turn On The Heat Pump

Dust off the air conditioner -- you're going to need it this weekend.

Just days after the official start of summer, a wave of hot and humid weather is about to settle over the area.

Forecasters say the mercury will soar into the upper 90's tomorrow across much of the state with high humidity.

The National Weather Service says a bit of relief slides in on Sunday, with highs only in the mid-80's.

And if you picked next week for vacation -- it looks like the warm weather will continue.

Bennington Area Teachers Union Reach Agreement

The Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union and the teachers' union have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract.

The new three-year contract would cover 350 teachers.

Teachers will vote next week on whether to ratify the contract.

The agreement comes after more than a year and a half of negotiations.

Massachusetts Homes Sales Drop, But Prices Still Rise

Signs of a slowdown in the Massachusetts real estate market as sales of single-family homes plunged in May.

The Massachusetts Association of Realtors is reporting an eleven-point-one percent drop from a year ago in May sales of single family homes. Last month was the second month-in-a-row to see a decline.

Some real-estate agents are blaming a cool and rainy spring for the slowdown. But economists say demographic shifts are at work as baby boomers sell high priced suburban homes for profit.

The median price for a home was 359-thousand dollars. That's up six-point-two-percent from a year ago, when the median sale price was 339-thousand dollars.

Condos were selling last month for a median price of 279-thousand dollars.

Romney Names New State Highway Commissioner Governor Romney has named a 16-year transportation veteran as the state's new highway commissioner. Luisa Paiewonsky is currently the assistant secretary of the Executive Office of Transportation. She takes over for John Cogliano who was appointed state transportation secretary last month. Paiewonsky says one of her top jobs will be to survey all the state's transportation needs, from crumbling bridges to aging and clogged highways, and then decide which problems to tackle first. Romney has said that in a post-Big Dig world, the state needs to start improving the rest of the state's highway infrastructure.

Fast Lane Might Be Getting Slower

Drivers with Fast Lane transponders may be facing slower rides.

cted by dead batteries in the machines that signal toll booths.

The toll is automatically taken out of drivers' accounts, allowing cars to pass through without stopping.

The batteries last about five years.

The Boston Globe says drivers could soon have trouble because most bought their transponders soon after the Fast Lane program started in 1998.

The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority hasn't decided whether customers will have to pay for the replacements. Each device costs about 24 dollars. There are more than seven-hundred-thousand Fast Lane transponders on the road.

FDA Panel Rejects Artificial Heart

Government scientists have narrowly rejected the first fully implantable artificial heart, saying they are unsure if a few extra months of life outweighed the serious side effects.

The AbioCor artificial heart has been tested in only 14 patients. Two died immediately. The rest survived only about five months.

Many patients had severe strokes that compromised their final days.

But one patient lived 17 months until the mechanical heart wore out. His family and one other told advisers to the Food and Drug Administration that the heart provided priceless extra time.

Yet the advisers wanted more testing to figure out just which dying patients should be offered a chance to try the heart.

The panel deadlocked on whether to recommend sale of the device, and voted 7-to-6 that the probable benefit did not outweigh the risks.

The device is made by Abiomed of Danvers.

Thursday, June 23, 2005

Clarksburg Selectmen Meet

No paving work was done last year, but this year officials in the town of Clarksburg are assessing conditions of all town roads as they determine which roads to repair and when.

The Board of Selectmen approved an engineering study by the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. Select Board Chair Deb LeFave says the study will help rank the priority of road projects, which is important when working with limited funds.

The cost of the engineering study will be 750 dollars, or 50 dollars a mile for the 15 miles of town roads, paved and unpaved.

LeFave says the study should be done by the end of the month, and the hope is to begin road work this summer.

In other business Wednesday, Clarksburg selectmen signed a new 10-year sewer agreement with the city of North Adams.

MFT Seeks To Unionize State’s Charter Schools

The Massachusetts Federation of Teachers is seeking to unionize the state’s 2 thousand charter school teachers...but what about those at Berkshire County’s only charter school?

Charlie Toomajian says he doesn’t know of any movement by teachers at the Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School to unionize, but admits he and the other trustees might not be the first to know if they were. Toomajian stresses that in and of themselves, unions are not good or bad...saying he hopes the environment at BaRT is such that teachers wouldn’t feel the need to organize.

The Mass Federation of Teachers is offering associate membership to teachers at the state’s 56 charter schools in hopes of full unionization in the future.

Savoy Automated Weather Station Helping Forecasters

Temperature and precipitation readings from a new automated weather station in Savoy already helping forecasters predict weather warnings in the Berkshires and Eastern New York.

Steve Pertgen from the National Weather Service in Albany says the new station at Savoy Elementary School produces readings every 5 minutes on precipitation and temperature, and that data is then transmitted once an hour.

If you go to weather-dot-gov, click our area on the map, then on the “hydrology” link, Pertgen says you can get information from the Savoy station each day.

The station was originally planned to provide wind speed data as well, but Pertgen says whether or not the anemometer and wind tower will be constructed is unclear due to budget problems.

North Adams 3rd Graders Reading Improves On Latest M-CAS Tests

More 3rd graders in the North Adams public school district making proficiency in reading in the latest round of M-CAS tests.

Public school superintendent Jim Montepare reports that reading M-CAS scores among 3rd graders at all 3 elementary schools have improved in the past 2 years. Proficiency rates from the most recent tests are as follows: Brayton Elementary 57 percent, 11 percent higher than 2003 levels... Greylock School 58 percent, a 6 percent gain...and the highest rate was at Sullivan School, where 69 percent of 3rd graders made proficiency, compared with a 46 percent rate 2 years ago.

Montepare says all schools are showing considerable progress in reading, and he credits the hard work of students and teachers, along with initiatives recently put in place by the district.

Olver Opposes Constitutional Amendment To Outlaw Flag Burning

U-S Congressman John Olver votes against a proposed constitutional amendment to outlaw flag burning.

The measure passed the House Wednesday by a vote of 286-130, more than the two-thirds necessary to send it to the Senate.

Four of the 10 Democrats representing Massachusetts voted FOR the measure...Stephen Lynch, Jim McGovern, Richard Neal and William Delahunt. Olver was joined by Michael Capuano, Barney Frank, Ed Markey, John Tierney and Martin Meehan in opposition.

Capuano says he opposes attempts to infringe on constitutional rights to free speech...McGovern says he promised veterans to vote to protect the flag when he ran for office.

The U-S Supreme Court ruled in 1989 that flag burning does constitute a form of protected free speech. Since then, the House has passed the proposed constitutional amendment 7 times.

Gillis Leaving Berkshire Hills For Carve

Berkshire Hills Regional School District administrator Matthew Gillis is leaving next month to take a comparable position with the larger Carver public school system in eastern Massachusetts.

The 31-year-old Gillis will run the business administration side of the Carver school system, which has about 21-hundred pupils -- about 50 percent more than Berkshire Hills.

Gillis was hired by Berkshire Hills in December 2001. He has been involved in overall school budget planning and the financial aspects of the district's 30 million dollars, two-school construction project, which is near completion.

Gillis said the Berkshire Hills School Committee will name a replacement for him sometime in late July.

Romney Releasing Progress Report

Amid speculation about his political future, Governor Romney is releasing what he calls a "Progress Report to the People of Massachusetts."

A brochure financed by his political committee lists one-hundred promises Romney says he made during the campaign for governor in 2002 and whether those commitments have been met.

Among his accomplishments, Romney cites balancing the state budget by closing a three billion dollar spending gap, implementing tuition-free college scholarships for the state's top students and preserving the parental consent law on abortion.

The Republican governor says his attempts to rollback the income tax and merge the Mass Turnpike with Mass Highway were both blocked by the Democrat-controlled Legislature.

Despite being vastly outnumbered by Democrats on Beacon Hill, Romney says he's "pleasantly surprised" with his accomplishments.

Romney: Wife's Health Is Primary Factor As He Weighs Future

Governor Romney says his wife's health would be the primary factor in any future political decisions.

The governor acknowledged for the first time this week that he's considering a presidential run.

In an interview with The Associated Press today, Romney says any reversal in his wife's good health "would almost certainly mean getting out of public office."

Ann Romney has multiple sclerosis and is currently in good health.

But when the governor was asked what factors would go into his decision about whether to run for re-election next year or seek the presidency, he cited her health as a top factor.

Earlier this week, Governor Romney said it was a "fair characterization" to say he's testing the national waters.

Romney's first term for governor ends in 2006.

State RMV Unveils Plate In Memory Of Cancer Victims

The Registry of Motor Vehicles has unveiled a special license plate aimed at raising money for breast cancer research.

The design includes a pink ribbon and the words "Cure Breast Cancer."

All the money raised from the plate will go to the Tufts-New England Medical Center's Inflammatory Breast Cancer Institute.

But it could be a while before you see the plates on the road.

The R-M-V says three-thousand people need to apply for one before they start making them. So far, just under 300 people have signed up.

The cost is 40-dollars.

VERMONT STATE NEWS

Senate Democrats Urge Bush To Consult With Them On Supreme Court Pick

Vermont's two U-S senators have joined a group of Senate Democrats urging President Bush to consult with them on a possible Supreme Court nomination.

The letter, signed by 43 of 44 Democrats and independent Senator Jim Jeffords, called bipartisan cooperation "the best path to a fair and reasoned confirmation process."

Patrick Leahy also signed the letter. He is the senior Democrat on the Judiciary Committee.

Feds Seize Equipment From Unlicensed Radio Station

The federal government has seized the broadcasting equipment of the unlicensed radio free Brattleboro.

Wednesday’s raid was the second time in two years the 10-watt community radio station has been shut down by the Federal Communications Commission.

Station co-founder Larry Bloch says the federal government is acting like a vigilante.

Earlier this year, attorneys for the F-C-C said they were considering seizing the station's equipment.

The F-C-C has been trying to shut down radio free Brattleboro since it was reported in 2003 that the station's signal interfered with the signal of a Massachusetts public radio station.

Nuclear Plant Files For Dry Cask Storage

Vermont Yankee officials have filed an application with the Public Service Board for permission to install dry cask storage at the Vernon plant.

The filing came Wednesday -- one day after Governor Jim Douglas signed into law a bill that gave Entergy Nuclear the authority to ask for Public Service Board approval to store spent nuclear waste in dry casks.

According to a spokesman for Vermont Yankee, the application does not specify the number of casks, but the proposed design will ultimately fit 36 of the steel and concrete containers.

The company intends to initially purchase six casks, which will allow the plant to run until 2011.

NEW YORK STATE NEWS

Hudson River Dredging Delayed Again

Federal environmental officials have again delayed the start date for dredging the upper Hudson River to remove sediments contaminated with P-C-Bs.

This time around, the Environmental Protection Agency says its pushing back the dredging date because of the complexity of the project, which is now slated to start in 2007 instead of next year.

It's the second time the start date for the 500 million-dollar project has been delayed. Dredging of a 40-mile stretch of the river north of Albany was originally supposed to begin this summer.

The E-P-A ordered the dredging of sediment downriver from General Electric plants at Fort Edward and Hudson Falls, where the company dumped P-C-Bs into the river for decades.

The government and G-E have been in protracted negotiations for years over details of the massive project. If there's no agreement between the government and G-E, the E-P-A can order the company to dredge the river.

Report: Bruno Co-Signed Son's Loan, Money Went To Senate Leader

The most powerful Republican in the state Legislature co-signed a 50-thousand-dollar loan for his son, a former district attorney-turned-high-powered lobbyist who then used the money to pay off a loan from his father.

That's according to a report in today's Albany Times Union.

The newspaper reports that former Rensselaer County D-A Ken Bruno received an unsecured personal loan from an Albany-area bank a year ago this month and used the funds to pay off a loan given to him by his father two year earlier. Joe Bruno's office says that loan was for a new home the son was building.

At the time he paid off the loan from his father, the younger Bruno was going through a messy divorce and the elder Bruno had been subpoenaed to testify as part of those court proceedings.

Joe Bruno declined to talk to the newspaper about the transaction. He says his son's personal life shouldn't be subjected to public disclosure because he's now a private citizen.

Wednesday, June 22, 2005

Adams Town Meeting Members Pass 12.1 Million Dollar Budget

Town meeting members in Adams spent about three hours Tuesday night eventually passing a 12.1 million dollar budget for fiscal year 2006.

But one of the more emotional issues discussed was a warrant article submitted by voter petition to put an item on next year’s ballot to ask the people whether the positions of Treasurer Collector, Town Assessor and Town Clerk should be appointed instead of elected.

The article was supported by the finance committee - several citizens spoke in favor, others opposed. Discussion ended as town Clerk Paul Hutchinson rose and spoke against the move.

In the end all three parts to the question were soundly defeated in a voice vote.

On the topic of the school budget -- Starr Baker made a plea on behalf of the retirees, saying their health insurance costs were eating a big hole into their retirement income.

In the end the article passed 72-32, and Baker thanked the 31 other people that stood with him in opposition.

Next year’s town budget in Adams raises residential property taxes 35 cents and the commercial tax rate by about 40 cents per thousand dollars of assessed value.

United Way Priorities: Youth Development Improving Family Economics

The two priorities set forth by the United Way for some 500 to 750 thousand dollars in multi-year commitments deal with youth development and improving family economics, but those priorities are subject to change based on community feedback.

United Way Executive Director Bob Barton says many issues affecting kids stem from issues at home, which is why he’d like to see grant proposals that address parents...even though the broader category is “youth development.”

An informational session on the competitive grants process being held Thursday at 9 a.m. at the United Way offices on Main Street in North Adams.

COTY Youth Center Gears –Up For KUB

Kids Upward Bound -- that’s the name of an adventure-based program run in July and August by the COTY Youth Center in North Adams, and it’s also the objective.

KUB Academy helps underachieving students in grades 1 through 4 develop skills in math and reading.

Sister Eunice Tassone from the COTY Youth Center says the methods used are a bit different than in school. Tassone says that as a teacher, she never liked being constrained by the walls of a classroom.

To register, parents must fill out some pre-registration forms or be referred to KUB Academy by their school or teacher. For more information, call 663-3313.

Former Anti-Gay Marriage Leader Leaves Massachusetts

The man who led last year's attempt to ban gay marriage in Massachusetts has left the state for a new job.

Ron Crews spearheaded the Massachusetts Family Institute's attempt to pass a constitutional amendment that would overturn a Supreme Judicial Court ruling legalizing same-sex unions.

Crews tells the MetroWest Daily News that he moved from Ashland to Kentucky earlier this month where he's serving as a military chaplain with the Army Reserves.

Crews is a 26-year member of the military and ordained Evangelical Presbyterian minister.

He ran unsuccessfully for Congress last year against incumbent James McGovern in the state's third congressional district.

While Crews says he's still concerned about the gay marriage issue, he's turning his focus to ministering soldiers and their families.

Big Dig Administrators Choose Cheapest Repair Option

Transportation officials have picked the cheapest of three plans to repair a leak in the Big Dig.

It sprung nine months ago, dumping thousands of gallons of water into the I-93 tunnel.

The preferred repair proposal will cost less than one million dollars.

According to The Boston Globe, it involves fastening a concrete-encased steel plate over the leaky area.

The plan must first be approved by federal administrators.

State Senator Steven Baddour, co-chairman of the Legislature's Joint Committee on Transportation, is expressing doubt about the plan and wants the Turnpike Authority to explain its choice.

Other plans were recommended by independent engineering consultants, one of whom has since been fired by the state.

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Berkshire Unemployment Rates Down

The Berkshire unemployment rates are down in all parts of the county, according to the latest figures from the Division of Unemployment Assistance.

The lowest figures came from the Southern part of the county with slightly higher figures in Central and North County.

In North Adams, the rate for May 2005 was 4.8 percent, compared to 5.5 a year ago. The rate for April 2005, was 5.1%. In Pittsfield, the rate for May 2005 was 4.1 percent, down from 4.5 percent in May of 2004, and also down from 4.3 percent in April of 2005.

In South Berkshire, where the May 2005 rate was 2.9% in May of 2005, 3.6 in May of 2004, and 3.3 percent in April of 2005.

Linnea Walsh, spokesperson for The Division of Unemployment Assistance says she is happy with the figures.

Walsh says she looks forward to the figures for June being even better.

Massachusetts Nurses Association Files suit Against NAR

The Massachusetts Nurses Association is filing suit against North Adams Regional Hospital, alleging that an arbitrator’s ruling regarding staffing levels has not been adhered to.

Arbitrator Michael Stutz sided with nurses in late February, ordering the hospital to cease and desist from admitting more patients than nurses can safely care for.

Hospital officials said then, and still say today, that the ruling addressed staffing levels in 2002, but that the problem has since been remedied.

The M-N-A filed a lawsuit in U-S District Court in Springfield today, seeking judicial enforcement of Stutz’s ruling.

The lawsuit alleges numerous breaches between March 2nd and June 1st occurring in various departments.

Spokesman Paul Hopkins says hospital officials have not yet reviewed the complaint, and therefore cannot comment on specific allegations.

However, he says the hospital continues to place the utmost importance on safe patient care.

MGRH Teachers Will Begin Limited Job Action In Septembe

Beginning in September, teachers at Mount Greylock Regional High School will not take on additional courses, nor will there be any teacher assistant opportunities for students.

These are part of the limited job action authorized by members of the Mount Greylock Educators Association, which will enter its second straight school year without a new contract.

The union plans to escalate the job action each time a new school quarter begins without a ratified contract...President Rose Marie Pelletier says the union will reassess negotiations every few months. The union’s last 3-year deal expired last August.

School Committee chairman Bob Petricca says the pledge to negotiate over the summer still stands, saying he’s disappointed this action has been taken before the start of the school year.

Developers Will Pay For Green Mountain Track Sewer Study

The company planning to redevelop the Green Mountain Park property in Pownal, Vermont will also pay to study the effects of its proposal on the town’s ongoing sewer upgrade.

Progress Partners, Limited of Shaftsbury will reimburse the town for the 6 thousand dollar engineering study.

The company is also planning to unveil its comprehensive master plan for the 144-acre property on June 30th.

Bennington County Industrial Corporation executive director Peter Odierna, says residential, office park, specialty retail and entertainment uses are still in the conceptual plans, as they have been from the outset. He says on such a unique piece of land, the B-C-I-C supports the idea of mixed-use development.

Responding to a specific question, Odierna said “it appears unlikely that big box retail development will be a part of this redevelopment effort.”

Florida Voters Approve Prop 21/2 Override In Advance Of Town Meeting

Florida’s annual town meeting is coming up this Friday...and Monday, voters approved a proposition 2-and-a-half override of 200 thousand dollars.

Town clerk Lisa Brown reports 139 Florida residents approved the override while 110 voted against.

The proposed fiscal year 2006 budget going to town meeting totals 2.2 million dollars in spending. If passed as presented, Florida’s property tax rate would rise from 11 dollars, 65 cents to 13 dollars, 29 cents per thousand dollars of assessed value.

Florida’s annual town meeting is this Friday, 7 p.m. at the Senior Center.

Still No Leads In Disappearance Of Savoy Man

A 21 year old Savoy man, who had been living in Pittsfield, has been missing since February, and Pittsfield Police reportedly have no leads.

Brandon LaBonte’s parents Barbara and Robert say the last time they saw their son was February 8th, when he showed up at his father’s work place. The last time anyone reported seeing LaBonte was February 16th, when he went to work at a local contruction company, but never returned to pick up his paycheck.

Brandon LaBonte is described as 5 foot ten inches tall, weighing 160 pounds with light brown hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information on his whereabouts can call Pittsfield police at 448-9700.

Court Orders Pittsfield Man To Pay Dealer For Cars

A 41 year old Pittsfield man has been ordered to pay over 24 thousand dollars after sufficient facts were found, but his case was continued without a guilty finding until December on the condition he make the payments.

Court documents indicate John LaRochelle of Pittsfield bought three cars from Bedard Brothers in Cheshire in April 2004. The three checks used to pay for the vehicles were returned. In May of last year, LaRochelle signed a document admitting that he owed the money, but according to the court records no payments were made.

LaRochelle appeared Monday in Northern Berkshire District Court and was ordered to pay 10 thousand dollars immediately, and the other 14 thousand 45 dollars by September.

Richmond Inn Sells For $870,000

The Inn at Richmond sold for one million 870-thousand dollars over the weekend.

The 229-year-old historic lodging and equestrian center went to the highest bidder during an auction staged by J-P King Company of Alabama.Spokesman Carl Carter says Carl Dunham, Junior from New Milford, Connecticut was the winner among nine bidders and he plans to keep running the Inn but lease out the horse facility.

Carter says the auction shows upscale real estate remains hot property in the Northeast.

Carter says the current owners, Dan and Jerri Buehler are very pleased with the outcome as the auction also drew 100 on-lookers.

Panel Probing The Bypassing Of Southern Berkshire Regional Schools

The new Monterey Education Committee is trying to find out why families are bypassing the Southern Berkshire Regional schools for other options.

Monterey Selectmen Chairman Jonathan Sylbert says only 42 children out of 108 attend Southern Berkshire schools -- while the remaining 33 attended private or parochial schools, out-of-state schools or are home-schooled.

Sylbert noted that it is a 40-minute bus ride from Monterey to the main school campus in Sheffield, while the new Berkshire Hills schools are just nine minutes away.

Meanwhile, both Berkshire Hills and Southern Berkshire have seen declines in student populations in recent years, reflecting a national trend toward smaller families.

Educator Who Coined Phrase "Charter Schools" Dead At 82

An educator associated with the phrase "charter schools," died earlier this month at a Springfield hospital.

Ray Budde was 82.

He suffered respiratory failure complicated by several previous illnesses.

The term charter school applies to public schools that operate independently of a city of town's school board.

Budde came up with the term in a 1988 government-financed report, "Education by Charter."

Although some attribute the origin of the charter school idea to the late Albert Shanker, who once headed the American Federation of Teachers, the National Charter Clearinghouse says either man could be viewed as the creator of the term.

Budde taught at the University of Massachusetts Graduate School of Education from 1966 to 1973.

He also led the Blackstone Valley Educational Collaborative for twelve years and lived in Attleboro.

Romney Acknowledges Possible Run For President

Governor Romney is publicly acknowledging for the first time that he's considering a run for president.

After speaking at a news conference in Boston this morning about health care, Romney was pressed about his reported presidential aspirations.

Romney says it's a quote "fair characterization" to say he's testing the national waters.

But Romney says he still plans to wait until the fall to make a decision about whether to run for the White House. He also stressed that he "loves his job" as governor.

Speculation has been growing about Romney's future as he heads to fundraising trips out of state. The most recent was to Orange County, California last week.

Romney is a former venture capitalist who headed the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. He won the governor's race later that year.

Romney's first term ends in 2006.

Romney Rolls Out New Details Of Health Care Re

Governor Romney is rolling out a key part of his health care reform proposal.

He unveiled details of the "Safety Net" plan this morning during a health care conference at the J-F-K Library in Boston.

The proposal would cover the roughly 150-thousand people in the state who make too much money to qualify for Medicaid, but can't afford private insurance.

People in "Safety Net" would pay on a sliding scale, with the state making up the difference. If their income goes up, they could switch to another plan, called Commonwealth Care.

Romney's plan would also require individuals to have health insurance. Those who don't could have their tax returns withheld and their wages garnished.

John McDonough, executive director of the nonprofit group Health Care for All, criticizes the plan, saying it's short on details.

Howard Dean Takes Aim At Governor Romney In Visit To Mass.

Democratic National Committee chairman and former presidential candidate Howard Dean takes aim at Governor Romney.

Dean spoke to about 300 Democrats at a fund-raiser in Boston tonight. The former Vermont governor says Romney -- a Republican -- has changed his position two or three times on fundamental issues, including abortion.

Romney is seen as testing the waters for a possible 2008 presidential run.

Dean's comments were immediately denounced by state G-O-P executive director Tim O'Brien as "evil rhetoric."

O'Brien says Romney has done lots of good for Massachusetts.

every state in the run-up to the 2008 presidential election.

Democratic Chairman Answers Cheney's Comment About Mother

Democratic Party Chairman and former Vermont Governor Howard Dean says he doesn't care if Dick Cheney likes his mother or not.

Dean's comment to fellow Democrats in Boston follows a recent comment from the vice president that maybe Dean's mother loves him, but he doubts anyone else does.

Dean gave his standard pep talk in Boston, urging that Democrats fight for a bigger share of the electoral pie in states that have been trending Republican in recent years.

Cheney also told Fox News that Dean had never won anything.

Dean was elected governor of Vermont five times, lieutenant governor three times, previously served in the Vermont House and most recently was elected Democratic chairman.

Hearing On The State's Agriculture Preservation Program

Criticism was voiced Monday about the latest changes to the state agriculture preservation restriction program.

The farmland protection program requires municipalities to file an extensive application when applying for many kinds of state aid. And the state generally expects communities to pay 20 percent of the purchase price. Deerfield Selectwoman Carolyn Shores Ness said that for the smallest towns, which usually have the largest proportion of farmland, this is becoming impossible.

Others said the problem for farmland protection programs is that municipalities are ranked heavily on how well they are doing in increasing housing stock and transportation options. Many small communities don't have housing development and transportation plans.

The comments were made at a hearing of the state legislature's Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture held yesterday in the Sunderland Public Library.

Hundreds Tested For TB A Week After Surgical Resident's Diagnosis

Hundreds of patients and workers from four hospitals who may have had contact with a surgical resident with an infectious strain of tuberculosis have been tested for possible exposure.

But hundreds more have yet to be tested.

The woman worked at Boston Medical Center, the V-A Boston Health Care System hospital in West Roxbury, Brockton Hospital and Cape Cod Hospital.

The hospitals last week sent notices to more than 37-hundred patients and workers.

A spokeswoman for Boston Medical Center says the facility had tested 83 of 890 patients and 311 of 750 employees who were notified of their possible exposure.

Cape Cod Hospital has tested at least 30 of 258 patients and 20 of 200 employees.

Public health officials say the possibility of patients becoming ill is remote.

Correction Department Searches MCI-Cedar Junction

A tactical response team is searching the state prison in Walpole.

It comes just days after a similar sweep of M-C-I Concord for makeshift weapons and illegal drugs.

Tuesday morning's search at M-C-I Cedar Junction involves 100 members of the Tactical Response Team.

Officials from the Department of Correction say there were two separate inmate fights last week that involved the use of makeshift weapons.

D-O-C Commissioner Kathleen Dennehy says they wanted to take "strong, decisive action" in response to the altercation.

In addition to the search, all internal routine activities and inmate visits at the Walpole prison have been suspended. AG Accused Of Slowing Payments To Wrongly Convicted Felons

Ten former prisoners are blaming Attorney General Tom Reilly for blocking compensation payments they're owed for being wrongly convicted.

The ex-convicts have filed claims under a law that provides a maximum of 500-thousand dollars for erroneous convictions.

The law went into effect last year and sets up a system for wrongly convicted felons to seek compensation at civil trials.

Attorney Robert Feldman represents two men who filed claims.

He says in some cases, the former prisoners lost 20 years of their lives and were released from prison with no financial resources. Feldman says the state is trying to slow down the payments.

But a spokesman for Reilly defends the A-G's handling of the claims.

Corey Welford calls the cases "sensitive" and says they need to make sure all the former prisoners actually qualify for the compensation.

VERMONT STATE NEWS

Another Agency Lowers CVPS' Crediting Rating

Another major agency has lowered the credit rating of Central Vermont Public Service Corporation.

Fitch Ratings says it lowered C-V-P-S' senior secured debt from a rating of triple-B-plus to triple-B. That means the debt is still at investment grade.

Fitch did lower its senior secured debt rating from triple-B-minus to double-BB-plus, which is below investment grade.

The company says it lowered the ratings because of an April rate case.

The Vermont Public Service Board denied Central Vermont's request for a rate increase and ordered it to refund customers.

Standard and Poor's earlier this month also lowered C-V-P-S' credit rating.

Governor Signs Law To Help Firefighters

Governor James Douglas has signed a bill that would financially protect firefighters who suffer heart attacks in the line of duty.

The law ensures that professional firefighters receive workers' compensation - or their families receive death benefits should they die.

Until now, firefighters who suffered a heart attack, stroke or other heart-related illness while answering an emergency were forced to prove their illness was job related if insurance companies contested their claim.

The new law, which takes effect immediately, gives firefighters the benefit of the doubt.

The measure was prompted by the 2002 death of Whiting Fire Chief Clarence Birchmore, who suffered a heart attack while responding to a car accident.

Monday, June 20, 2005

Boston And North Adams Babe Ruth League Teams To Meet

The cities of Boston and North Adams renewing acquaintances again this weekend - on the baseball diamond, that is!!

A team of Babe Ruth Leaguers from Boston will be in town to take on a local team at Joe Wolfe Field this Saturday and Sunday, admission is free both days. Saturday night’s events start with a ceremony at 6:30, first pitch is at 7:00. Sunday morning there’s a game at 11:00.

LaFesta Baseball Exchange Chairman George Canales says there’ll be a World Series atmosphere.

North Adams Mayor John Barrett will greet the Boston team when they arrive...and Boston Mayor Tom Menino will be on hand when the North Adams team heads out to Beantown in early August.

North Adams holds a 24-18 series lead in the longest-running baseball exchange program on the east coast, now in its 15th year.

Many Issues Confront Adams Town Meeting Members

Adams Town meeting members will consider using 1.4 million dollars in free cash in fiscal year 2006...930 thousand to offset a tax increase and 470 thousand to bolster the stabilization fund.

Assuming both are approved, Town Administrator Bill Ketchum says the stabilization fund will be able to cover existing debt service through fiscal year 2008...and about a million dollars in free cash will remain. Even with free cash being used, residential taxes are slated to rise 35 cents per thousand of assessed value...the commercial tax rate would go up 40 cents per thousand.

Town spending would total 12.1 million dollars in the proposed budget...up 730 thousand dollars from last year. Some major increases include a 12.5 percent hike in health insurance premiums and almost a 200 percent rise in debt service costs.

Adams’ annual town meeting takes place 7:00 tomorrow night at the middle school.

NB United Way To Award Half Million Dollars In Grants

About a half million dollars in grants will be awarded later this year by the Northern Berkshire United Way...and stage one of the two-stage process begins this week.

Executive Director Bob Barton says grants will likely be over a 3-to-5-year period, ranging between 100 and 150 thousand dollars a year.

The United Way will first seek input on its priorities...family economics and youth development...the latter involves helping kids perform both in and out of school.

A Q-and-A session will be held Thursday at the United Way’s Main Street offices in North Adams.

There, community members and various organizations can help shape priorities for the grant awards...which will eventually be made this fall.

Adelphia's Founder John Rigas And Son Face Sentencin

Adelphia Communications founder John Rigas and his son face sentencing today.

The two were found guilty almost a year ago of stealing millions of dollars from the cable company and deceiving investors by hiding its crushing debt.

John and Timothy Rigas could get up to 30 years in prison each on their bank fraud convictions alone. They were also convicted of securities fraud and conspiracy.

The sentencings are set for later today at a federal courthouse in Manhattan. They come just three days after another major white-collar conviction. A state court jury found former Tyco International C-E-O Dennis Kozlowski and former Tyco C-F-O Mark Swartz guilty of looting that company of 600) million dollars.

Gas Prices Up Again In Massachusetts

Gas prices are up in Massachusetts for the third week in a row.

Triple-A of Southern New England's weekly survey finds the average price of self-serve regular unleaded gas at two-dollars-and-15-cents a gallon.

That's up three cents from last week and six cents in the last three weeks.

The average price at this time last year was two-dollars-and-five cents a gallon.

Triple A says increasing crude oil prices are driving the recent spike in prices at the pump.

Romney Hoping To Rake In Cash For GOP At Boston Fundraiser

How much money would you pay for four tickets to a Red Sox game and lunch and photos with several Republican governors?

How about 50-thousand dollars?

That's the pricetag for a G-O-P fundraiser next month in Boston hosted by Governor Romney as part of the New England Governors Forum.

According to the Boston Globe, money raised from the day of activities will likely be used to finance Republican gubernatorial campaigns around the country.

If you're not willing to pay 50-grand -- two or three tickets can be purchased from anywhere between five-thousand and 25-thousand dollars.

But according to the Globe, that doesn't get you photos with the governors.

Romney is currently the vice-chairman of the Republican Governors Association.

Kennedy: Romney's Viability As National Candidate Remains To Be Seen

Senator Edward Kennedy has questions about whether Governor Mitt Romney -- who's considering a run for president in 2008 -- has what it takes to run for the Republican nomination.

In an interview with the Boston Herald, Kennedy, a Democrat, says a key question is whether Romney has the vision and ability to mobilize Republicans and the country as a national leader.

He says the presidential race is a quote "fast track" -- and that it remains to be seen how Romney would handle it.

As for Democrats, Kennedy says he'd support Senator John Kerry. He says if Kerry runs again, he would benefit from the experience of his unsuccessful 2004 run.

But Kennedy also praised New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton -- another potential Democratic challenger -- and said she has shown the ability to work with Republicans in the Senate.

Violent Incidents Involving Teenage Girls On The Increase

Youth agencies and advocates for teenagers are pointing to a growing trend in juvenile crime -- an increasing number of girls involved in fights and violence.

The number of girls in Department of Youth Services custody has increased to 442 as of May first -- up from 169 in January of 1995.

And as of April 30th, 54 percent of the girls in D-Y-S custody awaiting trial were facing charges for violent crime. That's up from 47 percent in 2002.

D-Y-S has created a position to coordinate services for teenage girls in custody and improved psychiatric services for young women. And Roxbury Youthworks, a community organization that helps teenagers in Boston, has opened a drop-in center for girls.

O'Malley Wants To End Tension On Church Closings, Turn To Other Issues

Boston Archbishop Sean O'Malley wants to move quickly with the next decisions on parish closings so he can turn his attention to other issues facing the church.

O'Malley tells The Boston Globe that he thinks it's best to try and end the tension related to the closings and focus on the pastoral mission of the church.

The archbishop faces several decisions -- including whether to ask police to remove protesters from closed churches that the archdiocese believes should not be reopened.

O'Malley's advisers reportedly say the archbishop needs to make tough decisions soon because the year-long controversy over parish