Letter: Accessing Benefits From Recent Climate Legislation

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To the Editor:

The Berkshire chapter of Citizens' Climate Lobby and its partners are hosting a free public forum on the evening of Monday, April 3, that will highlight recently passed climate legislation and the opportunities available to local governments and their constituents.

The Berkshire chapter of Citizens' Climate Lobby and its partners are hosting a free public forum on the evening of Monday, April 3, 2023, at the Berkshire Innovation Center, at 45 Woodlawn Ave. in Pittsfield. The event is open to the community, and the reception with appetizers will begin at 5:30 p.m., and panelists will begin at 6:15 p.m.

The panelists are Massachusetts state Sen. Paul Mark, former Undersecretary of Energy and Climate Solutions Judy Chang, Executive Director of Green Energy Consumers Alliance Larry Chretien, and Congressman Richard Neal with a brief message.

The forum, sponsored by The Berkshire Eagle, Berkshire Innovation Center, Ener-g-Save, and Citizen's Climate Lobby, will highlight recently passed climate legislation and the opportunities available to local governments and their constituents. The panelists will explain the benefits of these new laws including job creation, access to immediate rebates, generous tax credits, and more, and will appeal to businesses and individuals alike. The event will be live-streamed on Pittsfield Community Television. Moderated questions from the audience will be posed to the panel.

"I am excited to join local leaders, community members, and climate activists to discuss state and federal legislation recently signed into law and how these new policies can benefit us in the Berkshires," declared Senator Paul Mark. "Climate change is one of the most important issues we face as a state and as a nation and how we respond to this challenge and work to proactively mitigate the negative consequences is going to impact all of us in a tangible way for years to come."

Uli Nagel of Lee, liaison to Congressman Richard Neal's office, shared her concern, "Lack of snow cover in the winter is hurting our local ski resorts, and the drought-like conditions in the summer are difficult for local farmers. Events like these help educate our community; these new laws can help to slow that trend."

Christine Kelly
Sheffield, Mass. 

 

 

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Companion Corner: Banner at Berkshire Humane Society

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — There's a cat at the Berkshire Humane Society that is looking to cuddle up to his new owner.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home.

Banner is a 10-year-old domestic shorthair who has been at the shelter for about a month.

Feline/small animal adoption counselor Alyssa Petell introduced us to him.

"He is a very sweet gentleman. He is 10 years old. He's a little bit shy at first, but once you get to know him, he is a lovely boy. He loves to be a lap cat. He's just a very lovely man," she said.

He is no stranger to the Humane Society as he was born there and sadly, after 10 years, he has returned because of losing his owner.

"So we've had him for about a month now. He was originally a kitten that came from us. He went through our foster program, and he did have to come back to us because his owner passed away."

He would need to go to a home without cats or dogs as he likes to be by himself and his owner.

"He's looking for a nice quiet home, maybe like a retirement home-type situation, like no young kids, just a nice quiet home for him to relax in with his people."

Banner is quite shy at first and you might find him hidden under a blanket. But once he comes out he has a loud purr and will cuddle up to you.

"He's just an absolute love when you get to know him, total lap cat. Loves to cuddle, loves chin scratches, we like to call him the turtle, because he does hide at first and under blankets and stuff like that, and he peeks his head out," said Petell. "But once you remove the blanket, he'll come over. He wants to snuggle. He's super, super affectionate. He's just very, very shy at first."

Banner is on a diet and will need to stay consistent on one in a new home as he is overweight.

"He does love treats. That is one thing about him is we kind of need to cut back on the treats a little bit," she said. "So he does need to go on the diet, because, as you can see, he is a little overweight. So in whatever home he goes to, he does have to get put on a diet, but he's doing good. He has lost some weight while you've been here too."

Again, Banner has a very loud purr when he is with you.

"I also want to mention that Banner here is an absolute purr machine. Once he's in your arms and he's cuddling with you. He is very loud, he loves to purr," she laughed.

Petell also mentioned to help brush his soft hair as it can be hard to groom as he is overweight.

He might also need dental work.

His adoption is discounted because he is a senior cat. 

You can visit Banner at the Berkshire Humane Society and read more about him on the website.

The Berkshire Humane Society is open Tuesday through Sunday. The adoption center is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

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