To the editor:
In response to the article "Two former trustees rap decisions by Berkshire Museum board," I question why this is newsworthy? I would also suggest that it is time for The Berkshire Eagle to use its forums to unite the community rather than continue to divide it over an issue that has already been litigated.
I have co-chaired the last three wine galas for the Berkshire Museum. I am a second-home owner but prefer to characterize myself as a supporter of the Berkshires rather than where I reside. The bi-annual wine galas are the major fundraising events for the museum and have been successful in raising increasing dollars for the museum year after year. I totally reject the claim that ideas to promote the museum to second-home owners were unwelcome and never pursued. As a co-chair , I invited many of my second-home owner friends to attend events and get involved in the museum. They in turn invited their friends and supportive networks have been built. I also invited other committee members and supporters to do the same. We were not in a position to reject ideas about fundraising, and all ideas were encouraged and welcomed.
I reject the implication that an overall better approach to fundraising would have solve d the museum' s financial problem. Competing iconic Berkshire organizations and the local demographic which the museum serves are the major fundraising challenges faced by the museum. Donations by second-home owners are not bridging the proven deficit gap.
I also think that board members having different opinions is not newsworthy. It is expected. In my opinion, a well-functioning board should reflect many points of view that lead eventually to consensus and decision-making. Disagreement is healthy. Ex-board members looking to be relevant now is not beneficial to anyone. In terms of newsworthy reporting, I had the pleasure of attending the new exhibit of c ommunity a rtists , Art of the Hills, Saturday June 2. I was very happy to see over 400 people perusing the exhibit and lining up to vote for their favorite local artist . The crowd was young, old, local, second-home owners and tourists. Why isn't a crowded museum showing works from local artists newsworthy? Where was The Eagle? As I left the museum I was quite proud of the showing and community the museum serves.
I think this issue had it's day in court. It is time to move on and embrace the needs and wants of the community. Here's to the future of the Berkshire Museum and a strengthened Pittsfield and Berkshire community.
Peter Gordon,
Richmond
Boston