2016 Annual Meeting featured Senator Ben Downing
Reflecting on ten years in public service
March 25, 2016, Great Barrington
2016 marks the 36th Anniversary of the founding of the
Community Land Trust in the Southern Berkshires and the first anniversary of its new parent organization, Berkshire Community Land Trust. To celebrate the occasion, Senator Ben Downing has been invited as the featured speaker to share his reflections on ten years of public service as he concludes his tenure representing the Berkshire region. The event will be held at Crissey Farm in Great Barrington on Friday, March 25th at 7:00 pm.
Community Land Trust in the Southern Berkshires manages 49 acres of community-owned land in Great Barrington and Egremont, leased to 23 homeowners, Indian Line Farm and a library. Berkshire Community Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing education programs on community stewardship and seeking donations of land for community use. The March 25th event will begin with a brief annual meeting and board member election. Following Senator Downing’s talk and Q&A, all are invited to join in a celebration (cake & coffee!) of the 30th anniversary of Forest Row, an 18 home neighborhood in Great Barrington, established by Community Land Trust in the Southern Berkshires in 1986.
Senator Downing announced on January 25th he would not seek re-election to a sixth term after a decade of public service. In his remaining time in office, he will continue to build on initiatives he has championed — energy, broadband Internet access, higher education and an expansion of transgender rights. As this favorite son of the Berkshires pivots from public to private life, at the ripe old age of 34, he has insights to share on the future of our government, our public policies, our economy, and our community.
