Northern Berkshire YMCA Raises Fun — And Funds

By Rebecca DravisiBerkshires staff
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North Adams second-grader Emma Dupuis bowls during the family fun afternoon Saturday at Greylock Bowl and Golf.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Sometimes the best way to raise funds is to drop the "ds."

That was the theory anyway behind the Northern Berkshire YMCA's "fun"-raising events Saturday at Greylock Bowl and Golf. From 2 to 4 p.m., families were invited to come bowl, have a hot dog lunch and play corn hole for a modest donation to the YMCA.

A dozen families took advantage of the indoor family fun on a chilly late winter day, and Northern Berkshire YMCA Executive Director Justin Ihne was happy to see that.

"This has been great," Ihne said as he prepared to round up the kids, ranging in age from toddlers to older elementary school students, for a corn hole tournament. "It's something we'll look forward to building upon each year."

The evening event was a little more about adding the "ds" back onto "fun": an adult bowling tournament for which nine teams of four had signed up at $50 a ticket. Ihne said that, as well as the silent auction for four Red Sox tickets, will help the YMCA reach its annual campaign goal of $60,000. As of Saturday, the YMCA was 80 percent to that goal.

"We're hoping to finish strong in the next few weeks," he said.

Ihne said he was hoping the bowlers themselves would finish strong. Even though everyone who participated in the adult bowling event had a chance to win $1,000, there was no official "winner" of the tournament. The prize, he said, is just the ability to boast about winning the first-ever YMCA bowling tournament.

"Bragging rights are important," he laughed.


Tags: bowling,   fundraiser,   YMCA,   

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Williamstown Charter Review Panel OKs Fix to Address 'Separation of Powers' Concern

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Charter Review Committee on Wednesday voted unanimously to endorse an amended version of the compliance provision it drafted to be added to the Town Charter.
 
The committee accepted language designed to meet concerns raised by the Planning Board about separation of powers under the charter.
 
The committee's original compliance language — Article 32 on the annual town meeting warrant — would have made the Select Board responsible for determining a remedy if any other town board or committee violated the charter.
 
The Planning Board objected to that notion, pointing out that it would give one elected body in town some authority over another.
 
On Wednesday, Charter Review Committee co-Chairs Andrew Hogeland and Jeffrey Johnson, both members of the Select Board, brought their colleagues amended language that, in essence, gives authority to enforce charter compliance by a board to its appointing authority.
 
For example, the Select Board would have authority to determine a remedy if, say, the Community Preservation Committee somehow violated the charter. And the voters, who elect the Planning Board, would have ultimate say if that body violates the charter.
 
In reality, the charter says very little about what town boards and committees — other than the Select Board — can or cannot do, and the powers of bodies like the Planning Board are regulated by state law.
 
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