If the state works in geologic time, as pundits sometimes say, in what time does the federal government work?
That question may be put to the test, as Amherst democrat and U.S. Rep. John W. Olver leads a charge to bring economic development to the Northern Tier. The Northern Tier, for those who missed it, is the 40 or so Western Massachusetts communities along Route 2 for whom time seems to have stood still, or perhaps passed right by. More than a few are in Berkshire County. The rest are within a short drive — Gardner, Athol, Erving, Millers Falls, Greenfield, Charlemont, etc. Check out the map.
Led by the stalwart Rep. Olver, with the help of a highly paid and competent consultant working with a federal grant, the Northern Tier now has a preliminary plan and a task force of sorts — not yet officially named a task force — that will attempt to put things right for these forsaken cities and towns. …In time.
Part of what takes time in all state and government planning efforts is that the locals get to have their say. And so they have, over the past year, in steering committees, in discussion groups and in a large conference in Greenfield last month. As always with large committees and groups, disagreements at that conference abounded. So did familiar rhetoric like “synergy†and “green power†and “resource management.†Discussions ensued over which institutions and communities would be the “lead†institutions and communities. Despite some disagreement, the Northern Tier idea coagulated a bit. The overall result was what one usually expects from large, vaguely unorganized groups: Planners will amass again in October for another go ’round.
Keeping in mind that future federal funding (and with it state funding) for any number of projects could suddenly appear for the Northern Tier if cohesive plans are developed (particularly when planners dream of a Massachusetts Democrat as president in November), the strategies thus far, in a nutshell, are these:
• Draw together eco-tourism, cultural attractions and educational institutions into “creative clusters†that will help make the region a destination — for tourists, artists and adventurers.
• Pursue alternative energy as an economic development tool, with Greenfield as a manufacturing hub and Wachusetts Community College and the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art as showplaces.
• Expand and improve small manufacturing businesses and health-care facilities throughout the region, providing more training for jobs in each.
Rep. Olver, who coined the Northern Tier term some 20 or so years ago in the Massachusetts Statehouse and has managed to wrest more than a few state and federal dollars for the region over time, should be commended for his commitment and his perseverance. He, the steering committees and the consultants have come up with a reasonable plan of action — although the omission of high-tech telecommunications from the effort is inexcusable.
Now, the devil, as the pundits say, is in the details. Let us hope that the eventual task force that will form does not go the way of previous task forces that tried to do anything in the Northern Tier, the Northern Berkshires or virtually anywhere in Western Massachusetts. Studies and preliminary plans by the score lie in forgotten piles of scrapped projects that time forgot. The region, if it is to become an identifiable and economically viable region, must unite, promote competitiveness — particularly with the Eastern Seaboard — engage South County, Albany and New York City in a clustering of arts, education and alternative energy, and move forward with purpose — swiftly.
That won’t be done in large committees. Ask the 22-member Greylock Glen Advisory Committee, late of Adams. That is why it is good to see the huge group that met in Greenfield dividing into smaller focus groups and trying to come up with more definitive plans. I wish them luck. I also fervently hope the idea to pursue solar power at Mass MoCA comes to fruition — it is a far more likely place for the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust to spend its millions than Brockton (where millions have been spent on a solar project in a city almost everyone tries to avoid) — or on more behemoth wind projects that will unite environmentalists and many business and local interests in opposition, to preserve our scenic beauty. Smaller, community wind projects are different, and other cities and towns should take the lead of Lenox in trying to create something economically feasible and environmentally palatable at the same time.
Rep. Olver and his band, which already totals more than 100, may well find gold in the Northern Tier. But the clock is already ticking. And time, as always, marches on.
Glenn Drohan has survived nearly one year as The Advocate’s editor.
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Air Quality Alert Issued for Berkshire County
Staff reports
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The state's on an air quality alert through midnight Thursday because of the smoke from wildfires in Canada.
Berkshire residents woke up to smoky, hazy skies and a red glowing sun on Wednesday morning, but with less oppressive heat.
The Department of Environmental Protection issued an air quality alert for elevated levels of fine particles (PM2.5). This refers to microscopic airborne particles measuring 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter — about 30 times smaller than a human hair. These particles come in many sizes and shapes and can be made up of hundreds of different chemicals.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says the size of these particles can cause serious health problems because they can get deep into your lungs and even into bloodstreams. Particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter pose the greatest risk to health.
The air quality statewide is expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups. These include people with heart or lung disease such as asthma, older adults, children, teenagers, and people who are active outdoors. People with either lung disease or heart disease are at greater risk from exposure to air pollution.
MassDEP advises people in sensitive groups to reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion, take more breaks, do less intense activities, follow asthma action plans, and keep quick relief medicine handy. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath.
EPA's air quality index rates levels from "good" at 0-50 and "very unhealthy" from 201 to 300. Residents of Williamstown can track the AQI through PurpleAir, which displays results from monitors in five sections of town.
Cassidy Flynn scattered five hits in a complete-game effort in the circle as Lenox upset top-seeded Hoosac Valley, 3-2, in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament. click for more
Brayden Durant struck out seven and walked one in a complete-game effort on the mound Saturday to pitch the Drury baseball team to a 6-0 win over Keefe Tech in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament at Joe Wolfe Field. click for more
Jason Codey struck out 13, walked two and allowed just an infield single as the Generals earned a 7-1 win over Wahconah to claim their third straight regional title. click for more
