U.S. Sen. Markey To Headline Rally in Pittsfield

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — U.S. Senator Ed Markey will headline the "No Kings in America! Rally for Democracy" at 2:30 p.m. on Sun., March 9, at the Colonial Theatre. 
 
The event is sponsored by a Four Freedoms Coalition led by Berkshire Democratic Brigades and the Rural Freedom Network in conjunction with Greylock Together (North County), Left Field (South County), Berkshire Indivisible, Progressive Democrats of America, and the NAACP.
 
"Americans take our Constitution and the rule of law for granted," said Berkshire Democratic Brigades chair Jim Mahon.  "We rarely think about what life would be like if instead of laws, we had to live according to the will of one man, but here we are.  All Americans need to pay attention and defend the Constitution before it is too late."
 
The event is free and open to the public, but there are no more seats available. 
 
Sherwood Guernsey, co-founder of Berkshire Democratic Brigades and President of the Rural Freedom Network added:
 
"Our country was founded to get rid of a king," said Guernsey.  "Millions of Americans have died to protect our democracy.  Now, it is our turn to stand up against the man-who-would-be-king:  We will not back down."  
 
Shirley Edgerton, a member of the Executive Committee of the Berkshire County Branch of the NAACP, noted that in 1967 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. asked:"Where do we go from here?"  
 
"Today, I repeat Dr. King's question," said Edgerton, "Where DO we go from here, as the leader in the White House attempts to return us to legalized inequities and injustices?"  The answer, she said, is simple: "We unite, organize, educate, and demand those representing the people unleash their voices, stand for right, and use all means necessary to save our democracy."

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Pittsfield Eyes OPM for Crosby/Conte, Seeks Funds for PHS

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city plans to hire an owner's project manager for the Crosby/Conte proposal this week and pursue additional school construction funds from the MSBA. 

The School Building Needs Commission last week voted to move forward with a statement of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority seeking funds to renovate Pittsfield High School.

Interim Superintendent Latifah Philips reported that the MSBA's core program statement of interest filing period is open until April 17, if the commission would like to consider it for renovations to PHS.  According to MSBA's website, the core program is intended for new construction, addition, and/or renovation projects. 

Members recognized that it is a tight schedule to put together an SOI, but agreed it is best to try. 

Pittsfield is seeking up to 80 percent reimbursement from the MSBA to rebuild and consolidate John C. Crosby Elementary and Silvio O. Conte Community School on the Crosby property.  

The MSBA has invited the district to a feasibility study phase, and a selection committee is working to bring forward applicants for an owner's project manager. This hired consultant oversees a construction or design project in the owner's interest. 

Owner's project manager proposals were due on Feb. 18, and Pittsfield received nine proposals. Last Monday, the OPM search committee finalized three selections for public interviews, which were to be held on Friday at City Hall; the selection package is due to the MSBA by March 11. 

During last week's School Committee meeting, Phillips said the district is on track to submit for consideration on April 6.  

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