Letter: Saturday Rally: Diversity Makes Us Great

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To the Editor:

Several months ago, I was a North Adams teacher and a member of a school DEIJ committee. (Working for Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Justice.) I did not think this was radical work.

Yet here I am today, asking friends and neighbors to join us on Saturday, May 10, at the North Adams City Hall from 1:15-2:15 p.m. at a "Diversity MAKES America Great Rally." Because apparently, the idea that people of all races, abilities, orientation, gender identity — the idea that all people are endowed "with certain unalienable rights" is now up for debate.

Please stand with me to show that Berkshire County believes diversity really is what makes this nation great.

We need to say it is not OK for this administration to grab (apparently, only brown) people and fly them to, and abandon them in, foreign prisons. Without due process. Tell me my fears about what could happen to the people just grabbed in Great Barrington are not justified.

Words can be manipulated. But how this administration is twisting the word diversity defies belief. They started by erasing web pages that discussed veterans, anti-LGBTQ hate crimes, Head Start programs, women, people of color, and more. Then they began disappearing people. And now they are trying to erase ideas.

Mass MoCA was just notified that it has lost a grant to support Jeffrey Gibson's commission "Power Full Because We're Different." With a title like that, could their reason for objecting be any clearer?



The letter Mass MoCA received stated that the NEA is now focusing on "projects that reflect the nation's rich artistic heritage and creativity as prioritized by the President."

"As prioritized by the President."

This move is not about our honoring our nation's rich heritage, not about upholding the constitution or protecting the bill of rights. This is about catering to the president's singular agenda. Which he has made very clear in both actions and words.

Let's make clear with our own actions and words what we believe: The diversity makes America Great. Stronger. Better

Come Saturday, May 10, from 1:15-2:15 to stand with us. Let's fill all four corners by City Hall in North Adams! If you can't get here, check local listing for other local rallies. But stand up wherever you are.

Eileen Gloster
North Adams, Mass. 

 

 

 

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NAHA Board Accepts Director's Resignation, Unlocks Tenants Association Office

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Housing Authority Board of Commissioners officially accepted the resignation of Executive Director Jennifer Hohn and restored access to the Tenants Association office.

The board held a special meeting Thursday to vote to accept Hohn's resignation and determined that there are currently no plans to replace her.

"We didn't make any final determinations in terms of the executive session so we will schedule another meeting at another time," Chairwoman Leigh Uqdah said after returning from more than an hour session. "Day-to-day operations will continue to be managed as normal by staff."

Per their bylaws, board member Marie Harpin will continue to handle finances, and Uqdah will manage contracts.

Hohn stepped down on Oct. 8 after 24 years leading the agency. Her resignation followed rising tension between her and the NAHA Tenants Association, culminating in the scheduling of a formal grievance hearing between both parties.

The boiling point was the locking of the association's office this summer. Tenants alleged the lockout was retaliation for posting a video on social media depicting improperly functioning door alarms. Hohn claimed the office was locked for tenant safety and to stop the spread of misinformation.

Tenants Association President Corey Fortin asked if Hohn's security access had been removed. Uqdah confirmed her credentials were revoked the day she resigned, meaning she can no longer monitor security cameras remotely.

Jennifer Barbeau, a former city councilor who was liaison to the Housing Authority, asked when the board met to discuss Hohn's severance package. Uqdah stated that Hohn did not have one.

The board also accepted the resignation of Commissioner Richard Lavigne, though they will vote officially on the matter at their next meeting.

The open portion of the meeting was brief, with nearly an hour and a half spent in executive session. Before entering executive session, the board opened the floor to tenants.

"The tenants requested an opportunity to talk to the board," said Uqdah. "It has been quite a while, but we have decided to honor that."

Fortin, who posted the original video to social media, was the first to speak. He was clear in his request: unlock the office door.

"Let's cut straight to the chase tonight. The former resigned Director Jennifer Hohn ordered the office locked," he alleged. "She is gone. The lockout is a direct violation, and the board has a duty to end that tonight."

He cited federal and state laws that mandate the tenants association be provided with office space, including computer and network access.

"We are here with a direct administrative demand. We demand that the board vote tonight to unlock the doors," he said. "Do not let a resigned director's illegal action remain the board's ongoing liability. Open our door tonight, and let us get back to work."

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