Bashevkin Receives Commissioners Leadership Award

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Al Bashevkin, executive director of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, was presented with the 2015 Commissioners Leadership Award at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s annual Ounce of Prevention Conference held April 7 in Worcester.  

The Commissioner's Leadership Award recognizes exceptional leadership in promoting healthier and more equitable communities and in convening partners to advance this work. It acknowledges and celebrates the extraordinary work of an individual in convening multiple partners to work together for healthier communities. Bashevkin has demonstrated long-term commitment towards improvement of community health and through this award, is recognized for his nearly three decade leadership of the coalition and commitment to improving the quality of life of those in northern Berkshire County.

In presenting the award, Department of Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel said Bashevkin has led efforts to bring and retain many resources to Berkshire County.

"The many programs Al has introduced and sustained are diverse and far reaching across the community," she said. "He has demonstrated long term commitment to community and to improving health, and through this award he is recognized for nearly three decades of leadership of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition and his dedication toward improving the health of those in Northern Berkshire County."

Cost, Access to NBCTC High Among Concerns North Berkshire Residents

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
06:15PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

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.