Sign-up and post on Iberkshires today.It's Free!
Already a member? Log In
45°  H- 66%
The Berkshires online guide to events, news and Berkshire County community information.           
Friday November 20, 2009
 Make us your homepage!
 

What's Playing


The Drury Drama Team presents "Dracula" on Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 19-21.

If you don't know who these guys are, just stay home.


'Pirate Radio': Good Movie Ahoy, Mateys
Movie schedules and times

Bazaars

Nov. 21

St. Stanislaus School benefit, 9 to 4 in Kolbe Hall, Adams. Bake sale, snack bar, games, Chinese auctions, money raffle, crafts, and pierogi.

Blackinton Union Church, 1373 Massachusetts Ave., North Adams; 10 to 2. Crafts table, bake sale, Chinese auction, the Christmas table, and kid's grab bag. Lunch $4, $2 kids.

First Congregational Church, North Adams, 9-2.

Nov. 28

Becket Federated Church
, Route 8, holiday bazaar from 9-3. Lunch, crafts, baked goods, holiday and other items. Information: Mary Peltier, Parish House, 413-623-5217.


Dec. 5

Holiday Fair at First Congregational Church, 25 Park Place, Lee, from 10 to 3; handcrafted items, raffles, children's shop, bake sale, cut Christmas trees and lunch from 11 to 1. Includes angel-themed goods from SERRV. Information, 413-243-1033 or www.ucc-lee.org.


Dec. 12-13

North Adams Country Club, crafts 9-4; food from That's a Wrap from 11-2. Information: Sheryl Morehouse at 413-822-3329.

Planning a bazaar this season? Submit information to info@iberkshires.com to have it listed here.

Sales Fliers

 
 

Daily Digest

Hooray for Vermont's Sanders and his battle against credit card companies.
How Much is Heating Oil this Week?
It's breaking $2.50 but still cheaper than gas.
Clarksburg Crime Watch Signs



We're trying out blogs to offer shorter, easy-to-find news. Let us know what you think.
Send press releases and announcements to info@iberkshires.com. Need to contact someone at iBerkshires? Here's how.
Mammography Dispute
The government's issued controversial new guidelines stating that women shouldn't get annual mammograms until age 50, rather than age 40.

iBerkshires will be meeting with local medical experts Monday. Have a question you'd like answered on this issue? Send it info@iberkshires.com with "mammogram" in the subject line.

Obituaries

Paul Sandler, 64
Robert J. Heideman, 73
Carol V. Vallieres, 75
More obituaries

Sports

Williams College Men's Basketball Season Outlook
2009 MIAA Girls Soccer - State Division 2

Final: Wahconah vs Cardinal Spellman
Date / Time: 11/21/2009; 3:30pm
Location: Foley Stadium, Worcester
MCLA Picked Last in Men's Preseason Coaches Poll

Media Partners

Berkshire News Network (WNAW;WUPE)
WJJW Charlie in the Morning

Election


Trying to remember who won what and why? All the information is right here.

 

 Search: 
 for    
Enter a long URL
to make tiny:


Related Stories

 
Printer Friendly Version
   Recommend this story to a friend

Patrick Slices Budget Again to Stem Deficit Growth

Staff reports
iBerkshires
04:41PM / Tuesday, April 14, 2009

BOSTON — With another budget gap growing larger by the day, Gov. Deval Patrick is hoping to fill the hole with 750 state positions and an influx of federal monies.

A grim Patrick laid out his plans on Tuesday to stem the latest deficit — a $156 million gap that could grow another $400 million by the end of the fiscal year in June.

A continuing and precipitous drop in state revenues because of the ongoing global financial crisis has forced the Patrick administration to cut $2.1 billion in spending since last October.

The cuts have caused trepidation in cities and towns across the state that are building budgets on tentative state aid numbers.

"The historic downturn is hitting state government especially hard, leaving us with tough choices among miserable options," said Patrick at a press conference at the State House on Tuesday. "We must take these painful but necessary steps today if we are going to position Massachusetts for recovery and long-term economic success."

To help close the immediate budget gap, Patrick said he will use a mixture of federal recovery funds, budget cuts and spending controls, mandatory staff furloughs, and the elimination of more than 750 additional state positions through layoffs, attrition, and stringent new hiring limits for state agencies. 

Additionally, he has tasked Administration and Finance Secretary Leslie Kirwan with beginning negotiations with state collective bargaining units over a full range of potential cost-cutting initiatives.
 
The plan includes using $128 million in federal recovery funds, $16 million in additional budget cuts and spending controls, and $12 million in savings from furloughs and work-force reductions.

Related Stories
Governor Offers Plan to Plug $1.4B Debt

Patrick Plans $128M in Local Aid Cuts
The governor said he is committed to working with the Legislature to solve the growing budget deficit.

The executive branch has already slashed 836 positions, said Patrick, and is on track by the end of this fiscal year to reach the approximately 1,000 positions announced last October.

The governor said the three- to five-day furloughs being imposed on managers will affect the state's top executives, too.

"The lieutenant governor and I will take five-day furloughs, as well," said Patrick.
Your Comments
Post Comment
No Comments


Top Stories...
New Moon Mania Hits Berkshire Mall
LANESBOROUGH - "The first 'Twilight' movie did very well so we were expecting good crowds not only...
The Independent Investor: Mutual Fund Fees: Why Should...
NORTH ADAMS - From the institutional investor's point of view; when you buy in bulk, no matter what...
St. Stan's Vigilkeepers Keep Spirit of Parish Going
ADAMS - "We're here indefinitely." — Laurin Zepka
New Moon Rises for North Adams, Pittsfield Theaters
NORTH ADAMS - That's good news for people looking for the first-run blockbusters that fuel the holiday...
Clarksburg Talks Burglary
CLARKSBURG - More than 30 residents packed into the Selectmen's meeting on Wednesday night to find out...


iBerkshires.com Text Ads
Wedding of your Dreams!
Select from our appealing dinner menu - up to three entrée choices. With salad, potato, & vegetable
www.iberkshires.com
iberkshires.com
www.iberkshires.com
Advertise on iBerkshires.com



Essentials
Berkshire Nightlife
Berkshire Photos
Berkshire Wallpaper
Class Reunion Page
Columnists
Dannyoart.com
Get Lunch Specials
Home & Garden
Movie Times
Obituaries
Randy Trabold
Weddings

Enter your email address below to receive our FREE iBerkshires.com Newsletter

| Home | A & E | Automotive | Business | Community News | Dining | Lodging & Travel |
| Real Estate | Schools | Sports & Outdoors | Berkshires Weather | Berkshires Map |
Advertise | Recommend This Page | Help
Contact Us | Privacy Policy| User Agreement
Execution Time: 1130 ms