Marchers hold signs for Christa Steele-Knudslien who was murdered in North Adams last January. Her husband was charged in her murder. See more photos from the event here.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Hundreds walked, and some stumbled, down North Street in high heels during the Walk a Mile In Her Shoes march to raise money and spread awareness of gender violence.
Elizabeth Freeman Center Executive Director Janis Broderick welcomed all the walkers who came out during the event at Third Thursday, including elected officials, business leaders, residents from throughout the county and all those who demand change.
"I want to welcome you to the eighth annual march to stop rape, sexual assault, and gender violence and you all are looking so good," she said.
Money raised for the march goes to support the Elizabeth Freeman Center and Broderick said they had already surpassed last year's amount of $70,000 without counting donations received on Thursday.
The nonprofit center provides counseling, shelter, and legal advocacy for victims of domestic and sexual violence. It has offices in Pittsfield, North Adams, and Great Barrington and can be reached 24/7 by calling toll-free at 1-866-401-2425.
Some people marched individually while others marched in groups.
Broderick said Berkshire County is not free from rape, sexual assault, and gender violence and noted that there have been six domestic violence murders in the last four years. She added that last year alone, the center helped 2,600 people from throughout the county.
"Still we know that we are only scratching the surface … and these are community atrocities that need and deserve a community response," she said. "We are creating a movement right here in the Berkshires."
Broderick noted that there is still much work to be done and said this is obvious by just turning on the news.
"Those horrifying excuses for rape that are said: 'boys will be boys,' 'uncontrollable male passion.' They are tired, they are old, and they don't work anymore," she said. "We are better than that."
Before the march started, Broderick said if awareness continues to grow and people continue to fight against sexual assault, rape and sexual harassment, the future will be a better one.
"We take collective action through partnership, so our response together is faster and better," she said. "We walk tonight because we want change. We walk tonight for a better today and a brighter and safer future for our children."
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Pittsfield Officials: Unlimited Trash Not Sustainable, Toters Offer Cost-Savings
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Unlimited trash pickup is not sustainable and will lead to higher taxes, city officials say.
Mayor Peter Marchetti began public outreach on Monday on the proposed five-year contract with Casella Waste Management for solid waste and recyclables. Older residents packed into the Ralph J. Froio Senior Center for the first of three community meetings.
On the table is a move to automated pickup utilizing 48-gallon toters, which would be at no cost to residents unless they require additional toters and would save the city $80,000 per year.
The goal is to execute a contract by July 1, the start of the fiscal year.
"Trash collection is not free. You're already paying for it as part of your taxes that you pay. In this administration, in this proposal there is no 'I'm looking to create a trash tax,''' Marchetti said, explaining that trash pickup for fiscal year 2025 is around $5.1 million and has doubled since he first served on the council in 2002.
"So we need to find a way to stem the cost of trash."
Some of the seniors praised the new plan while others had concerns, asking questions like "What is going to happen to the trash cans we have now?" "What if I live in rural Pittsfield and have a long driveway?" and "What happens if my toter is stolen?"
"I've lived in a lot of other places and know this is a big innovation that is taking place over the last 20,30 years," one resident said. "It's worked in most places. It's much better than throwing bags of garbage on the side of the road."
Berkshire Hills County Club is seeking a variance on its pool permit to allow for cost savings on staff members starting next year, including fewer lifeguards. click for more
Voters approved all but one of the 22 articles on the warrant at the annual town meeting on Monday night at Wahconah Regional High School. click for more