Our Berkshire Beacon debate and the raising of the bell

The more I go to the Lenox Library, the more I think how fortunate this community is in having a public library geared to its citizens and a place for its tourist to come and relax with a book, a periodical or take advantage of its WiFi.

That said, The Berkshire Beacon is putting on a debate next Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m.in the library between State Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, D-Lenox, and Lee Scott Laugenour from the Green Party.

This is an opportunity to get to know the candidates for the 4th District and share in the debate with people from the legislative district.

Library Executive Director Sharon Hawkes has granted us permission to do what many communities do across America: To hold an independent gathering sponsored by the local newspaper to inform our readers prior to election day.

Kameron Z. Spaulding, editorial assistant, will be the moderator, along with a panel consisting of Bera B. Dunau, writer for The Beacon, Selectman Edward P. Lane and Monument Mountain High School Principal Marianne Young, former Lenox school superintendent.

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There is one more piece of business to be dealt with, in the acknowledgement that the outside of the library is getting a new coat of paint.When completed, it will sparkle!

That is: The traditional bell needs to be re-set in the tower. (See story on Page  )

The Beacon has thought of many ways that $2,000 can be raised from looking inward to its own position in the community to suggesting to our fellow patrons to the community-at-large. This is a community bell.

The historic bell should have a community imprint because it belongs to everyone.

That said, The Beacon is offering space on a special page to acknowledge those people from the community and those businesses who donate $100 to lifting the bell to its rightful height  to signal to the community-at-large you believe in the sound of learning, and this library  in its own way is a community asset to behold.

This building has served as a courthouse, a library for our high school children, a library for the community and also as a library and meeting place for our tourists.

This is a real gem! I personally felt the warmth of its being a true treasure that needs our support, our commitment and collectively to use this place as a fundamental retreat for enriching our own lives with a combination of books and technology.

Hopefully with a sound of the gavel, freedom of speech will help us elect our next state representative, along with freedom of the press, and it will herald in new memberships for the library with the sound of the historic bell ringing from this day forth.

Posted by George C. Jordan III on October 25, 2012. Filed under Editorials,Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry