Letter: Alcombright, Teamwork Will Move City Forward

To the Editor:

As we approach the November election, I have taken time to reflect on my four years as a city councilor and the future of the city I was born in and have lived in much of my life.

I entered the council as someone who never much cared for politics. I realized I had a lot to learn and tried to listen and observe my fellow councilors. I come from a sports and recreation background where the concept of teamwork is important. My experience with fellow councilor John Barrett III was not attractive. He argued about everything, always insisted on having the last word, and refused to be a part of any committee unless he was on the finance committee. Ultimately he brought very little to the table.

I don't see opposition for opposition sake and relentless negativity as a very attractive quality in a leader. Through collaboration and teamwork our city is changing for the better. Last week I volunteered at the Fresh Grass festival and was struck by the number of people I spoke with from all over the world who had nothing but good things to say about North Adams. They disagree with John Barrett that North Adams is in decline.

Nancy Bullett is a North Adams city councilor. She is running for re-election

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.