Letter: Gammell Would Be Asset on Council

To the Editor:

We write today to express our support for Keifer Gammell, North Adams City Council candidate.

After graduating from MCLA in 2011, Keifer quickly found ways to be involved in North Adams. He was always eager to help out with any task no matter how big or small. His unique skill set and community involvement is impressive especially for someone who is only 28 years old.

One instance that stands out to us was two single day music events in 2012 called "MyGlo." Keifer and another MCLA alumnus, Jon Del Sordo, approached us to collaborate on the event. My Glo, held at The Range, brought in community members, MCLA students and even some tourism. The event would not have happened without his understanding of
collaboration and time management.

Keifer is equipped with knowledge and connections at MCLA, Mass MoCA, The North Adams Chamber and the North Adams Farmers market. These connections along with his commitment to his community would make Keifer Gammell a tremendous asset to the North Adams City Council.

Karen and David Bond
North Adams, Mass.

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.