Town meeting should reject Article 41 because sexual orientation, color of skin, health and wellness, gender, environmental issues and changes in the meaning of English words (including the word rainbow) are not well-represented by a flag in any community.
Work in the community to make the American flag ensure inclusivity, support, a sense of belonging, respect for others and acceptance among human beings who have the right to live with dignity.
If this flag is added to the three now recognized we could ask: Where does it end? The American flag represents the hope we all have for our community.
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Williamstown Fire District Honors Notsley at Annual Meeting
By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — As the town's fire district embarks on a new era, Tuesday it said thank you to a veteran leader who helped make that era possible.
At the annual district meeting, the Prudential Committee recognized more than six decades of service by John Notsley, who decided not to run for another term on the elected body.
Notsley started as a firefighter in the Fire Department in 1963, following in his father's footsteps.
Notsley called the department and the Gale Hose Company his "second home" throughout the 63 years that followed.
"When I was 6 years old, I met my first fire chief, Tom Welch, who I'm sure no one here remembers," Notsley said. "Followed by Edward H. McGowan, Gordon Noble, Edward M. McGowan, Craig Pedercini and our current chief, Jeffrey [Dias].
"My commitment to the district gave me 13 years as clerk, 42 years on the Prudential Committee and 62 years on the Gale Hose Company, the volunteer arm of the department."
For years, Notsley, Ed McGowan and Ed Briggs served as a three-person committee to help manage the department, and in 2006, they began looking at how to replace the Fire Department's aging and cramped home on Water Street. The three eventually expanded the body to five members and, this year, Notsley saw a 20-year project come to fruition with the completion of a new fire station on Main Street.
The eighth annual Spirit of Caring Awards included the Steve Green Spirit of Community Award, the Spirit of the Future Award and the Al Nelson Spirit of Caring Award. A fourth award was the Workplace Campaign of the Year, presented to Greylock Federal Credit Union.
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Jason Codey struck out 13, walked two and allowed just an infield single as the Generals earned a 7-1 win over Wahconah to claim their third straight regional title. click for more
Gracelyn Wright struck out eight, and Genevieve Lagess went 3-for-5 with four runs batted in as the Hurricanes beat Monson, 17-3, to claim their first Western Mass title in four years. click for more