Brief thoughts on some of the events making news from around Franklin County and the North Quabbin area:
Winning a national contest has to be something like winning a multimillion-dollar lottery. Sure, you get a ticket, but you don’t every really expect to win. We can imagine more than a few happy Tyler Memorial Library patrons in Charlemont who were surprised to see that their own nominee, Andrea Bernard, was one of the 10 picked for the American Librarian Association’s “I Love My Librarian Award” for 2016. According to the association’s website, “more than 1,100 library patrons submitted detailed stories regarding how their librarian had an impact on their communities and lives. 2016 recipients were selected for their dedicated public service and the valuable role they play in our nation’s communities in transforming lives through education.” Bernard, the library director since 2013, seems to fit the criteria for the award, given how she has been working to modernize the library and make it a valuable resource for all in town. Congratulations.
We can’t say that we were surprised to learn that Mohawk Regional Trail School District Superintendent Michael Buoniconti was a finalist for the superintendent’s position with the North Attleboro Public Schools. First, the nature of the profession that people don’t stay forever, no matter how much they like the job they’re in given financial considerations and professional challenges. And although Buoniconti has been with Mohawk for 11 years, he’s been a finalist for five other jobs during that time. But we can’t help but think that issues regarding sinking enrollment, rising costs and budgetary concerns comes into play as well. That has to make greener pastures more attractive. But we’ll say this for Buoniconti: He continues to try to find ways to improve the financial outlook for the district while making sure the schools continue to provide their students with the best possible education.
A tip of the hat to Adam Hinds, the state senator-elect who’ll be representing a district that covers parts of Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties. Ahead of actually taking office, Hinds is scheduling meetings in various locations in the district to hear from constituents about their concerns and what they want from their Legislature. “I want to be inclusive right from the start,” said the Democrat in a recent Recorder story. “Now more than ever we need local communications and community engagement.” If this is going to be his approach as a state lawmaker, Hinds is off to a good start.
Orange and Greenfield are making efforts that leaders of the two towns hope will modernize their libraries for the 21st century. Both towns hope to win state grants to subsidize the projects and are looking at other ways to shrink how much local taxpayers will be asked to contribute.
Greenfield’s library trustees, for example, are studying how much might be raised through private donations with a possible goal of $3 million over five years. They hope for a new building with almost twice the floor space.
Orange has similar hopes but plans for an addition only, one that would provide for a new lobby and a community room accommodating 75 to 100 people, a circulation workroom, two bathrooms, fiction and non-fiction book stacks and a room for young adults.
We hope both projects get the backing they need at both the local and state levels.
In the spirit of Christmas, we will be charitable in our choice of words to express our disappointment with whoever felt compelled to damage the Nativity scene on the Greenfield Town Common last week. We doubt this was any sort of bigotry or hate crime by a non-Christian, but simply vandalism by someone who, sadly, has nothing better to do, nor a better way to amuse themselves. Maybe the mindless, pointless act will strengthen the resolve of those Christians in the community who appreciate the effort of the Keep Christ in Christmas Committee.