Letter: Abortion Is Health Care

Letter to the Editor07:00PM / Wednesday, July 20, 2022Print Story | Email Story

To the Editor:

Seventy percent of Americans support safe and legal abortions. Abortion is health care, and is a basic human right that has been protected by Roe for the past 50 years. Yet this right has been rescinded by six radical, ultraconservative Supreme Court judges, three of whom were appointed by a president who failed to win the popular vote.

Maybe that 70 percent got too complacent and took this right for granted. But the lesson is learned: No constitutional right is safe any longer. Many of us are outraged by the court's decision that does not even allow for abortion in cases of rape or incest.

But if we want our rights restored, outrage alone is not enough. We must do all we can to mobilize the vote for pro-choice Democratic candidates this November and in November of 2024 to keep Democrats in control of Congress and ensure that abortion rights are protected. If Republicans take back Congress in November, we face the dire prospect that they will enact a federal ban on abortion, criminalizing the procedure nationwide, and that other reproductive rights, such as access to contraception and the right to marry whom we choose, will be under attack.

In the meantime, if you want to join the fight, visit the Berkshire Brigades Facebook page.

Louise Farkas
Pittsfield, Mass.

Farkas is a member of the Berkshire Brigades steering committee.

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Lanesborough Officials Begin Budget Deliberations

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
11:35AM / Monday, March 09, 2026

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Select Board and Finance Committee last week began a detailed look at the needs for the fiscal 2027 budget from the Police, Fire and Library departments.

Both the Police and Fire departments will be asking for capital funds toward replacement vehicles.

Chair Deborah Maynard laid out the format and cautioned the participants that it was going to "be a civil meeting."

"There's not going to be any yelling or talking out of turn, but we certainly would recommend and be glad to hear questions from the audience as we discuss these department budgets," she said.

There have been recent complaints about angry comments and yelling at some town board meetings.

Police Chief Rob Derksen presented a budget increase of $277,717, around 4 percent, but noted that police salaries are currently in negotiations. He separated his budget from the Baker Hill Road District, which is currently under discussion to be dissolved. The draft said the department had a 44 percent increase, but that was combined with the Baker Hill Road District.

Derksen said the department is running under budget and that compared to the national average spending on local law enforcement of $407 per capita annually, Lanesborough spends around $313. He also said the average operating budget is 10 to 15 percent of the municipal budget and that the department is operating at almost 7 percent.

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