Nominations Sought For Fall Neighborlies

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Northern Berkshire Community Coalition is accepting nominations for the Fall Neighborlies, a community recognition award night. The Neighborlies will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 24, at 5 p.m. at the Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue, located at 53 Lois St.
 
The nbCC's Northern Berkshire Neighbors welcomes residents to consider people of all ages who performed acts of kindness or made a positive difference in their lives, in their neighborhoods or in their community. Anyone may nominate individuals or groups in one or more of the following categories: neighborly acts, young people taking the lead, business/agency support, or groups pulling together on a project.
 
You may nominate a person or group through the nbCC website. Applications can also be picked up and mailed to the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition Office at 61 Main St., Suite 218, North Adams, MA, 01247. Nominations can also be called in to 413-663-7588 or emailed to arodgers@nbccoalition.org. Send the name(s), address and phone and email of those nominated and those making the nomination, indication of the category and a brief description of the reason. 
 
Each nominee will receive an invitation to the event, where Mayor Richard Alcombright and Coalition staff will present certificates of appreciation. This is a great way to thank individuals who help make a positive difference and honor the ordinary acts of kindness and cooperation that happen every day in our communities. Nominations will be accepted through Octo. 15. 
 
For more information, call the Coalition at 413-663-7588.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Cost, Access to NBCTC High Among Concerns North Berkshire Residents

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

Adams Select Chair Christine Hoyt, NBCTC Executive Director David Fabiano and William Solomon, the attorney representing the four communities, talk after the session. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Public access channels should be supported and made more available to the public — and not be subject to a charge.
 
More than three dozen community members in-person and online attended the public hearing  Wednesday on public access and service from Spectrum/Charter Communications. The session at City Hall was held for residents in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg and North Adams to express their concerns to Spectrum ahead of another 10-year contract that starts in October.
 
Listening via Zoom but not speaking was Jennifer Young, director state government affairs at Charter.
 
One speaker after another conveyed how critical local access television is to the community and emphasized the need for affordable and reliable services, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly. 
 
"I don't know if everybody else feels the same way but they have a monopoly," said Clarksburg resident David Emery. "They control everything we do because there's nobody else to go to. You're stuck with with them."
 
Public access television, like the 30-year-old Northern Berkshire Community Television, is funded by cable television companies through franchise fees, member fees, grants and contributions.
 
Spectrum is the only cable provider in the region and while residents can shift to satellite providers or streaming, Northern Berkshire Community Television is not available on those alternatives and they may not be easy for some to navigate. For instance, the Spectrum app is available on smart televisions but it doesn't include PEG, the public, educational and governmental channels provided by NBCTC. 
 
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