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GreylockNews.COM

. . . . . . . . . . . . News, notes and ideas for Williamstown and the Greylock region

What they�re saying: The community reacts to GreylockNews.COM

POSTED: Friday, April 21, 2005, 8:35 a.m.

By Bill Densmore

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bill Densmore [mailto:[email protected]]
> Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2005 11:57 PM
> To: Bill's List
> Subject: ANNOUNCING: GreylockNews.COM -- post your news, read our news
>
> Friends:

> > Many of you have received very occasional emails from me about local topics, politics and public policy. While almost all of you have told me > you enjoy receiving these emails, I worry about "wearing out the welcome" and beginning to fall into the category of "spam." >

> The solution, I think, is to start an experiment in "citizen journalism" for the town and region. Please go to:
>
> http://www.greylocknews.com/
>
> . . . and have a look. There's a post -- with some real news -- about Town Manager Peter Fohlin's talk to the chamber yesterday.
>
> But more important, you can post your comments to what Fohlin said. And, if you have news you would like posted to "GreylockNews.COM", just email [email protected] and I'll put it up, credited to you.
>
> Now instead of having your mailbox stuffed with stuff you might not be interested in, just drop by GreylockNews.COM every now and then to see what's cookin'. But don't just be passive -- post your reactions, or send fresh news or announcements to [email protected].
>
> Keeping the pot stirring . . .
>
> -- bill densmore

On Thu, 14 Apr 2005, Mary Natalizia replied:

> Greetings Bill-
> What a great idea! Thanks for taking the time to make it happen.
> Mary Natalizia
> Plum Gallery

Bill replies:

Remember to post to it!

-- bill

On Thu, 14 Apr 2005 Jack Merselis ([email protected]) wrote:

> Bill - Great idea. Good stuff from Peter. Will news items appear from time-to-time as things happen, or is there an opportunity to do > scheduled (weekly?) updates/revisions so as to create a kind of online local version of the Advocate or Streetmail that citizens could read > regularly once a week? Posting of local events? Links to other web sites?
Advertising support?
Many thanks.

Jack Merselis

Jack:

Thanks for asking!

Mostly the answer is I'm not sure. It's a function of how much the community is willing and able to contribute. I think the first step is for citizens to get used to "posting" information to [email protected] and responding to (and adding to) posts on the website with additional context and facts. I am going to try to take a few minutes many days to add something.

As for advertising: I'd rather think of it as "sponsors" and I'm giving that some thought but don't want to rush into it. Many implications of going that route.

-- bill

Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2005 00:19:25 -0400
From: David Scribner <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: ANNOUNCING: GreylockNews.COM -- post your news, read our news

Bill -- I like your citizen journalism! Great job!.

-- David Scribner

On Thu, 14 Apr 2005, David D. Sussman 99 wrote:
<[email protected]>

> Bill,
>
> I wanted to write in from Venezuela where I am now doing a short-term 2 month stint with UNHCR and say that I do > enjoy the messages I get on this email list. I may not read everything, but it helps keep me updated on that town > I love -- and, as you write, there is much for us to keep active about!
>
> Thanks,
>
> David

Bill replies:

David:

Why don't you send a post to the GreylockNews blog talking about what you are doing in Venezuela and what people there think of the United States? I traveled there in 1971 when I had just graduated from high school. I will never forget the stark transition from the moutainside slums of Caracas to the gated-community of El Hatillo where my host family lived. The gap between rich and poor was so great. Thirty-four years later, I see that starting to happen in the United States.

-- bill

On Thu, 14 Apr 2005, Deb Burns wrote:

> Great idea! Clean and accessible. On my screen the type's a little small (I have to peer closely at it to read it) yet there are very wide margins. But it's very inviting.
>
Deb:

Don't forget to post things! I will start a "thread" under arts and you can add to it whenever you have stuff.

-- bill

On Thu, 14 Apr 2005, 1896house wrote:

> Congratulations Bill! Another great idea! What a terrific way to get in depth local news without having to wait and without having the guilt pangs of the "delete" button! Thanks!
> Denise
>                               1896 House Country Inn & Motels
>                            Route 7 Williamstown, MA 01267
>             Reservations 1-888-999-1896 Local 1-413-458-1896
>       <http://www.1896house.com/> E-mail: [email protected]
>
Bill replies:

Denise:

It will only work if the community contributes!

On Thu, 14 Apr 2005, Tom Costley wrote:

> Bill,
>
> I think it's great... the best local news coverage I have ever seen... thanks,
>
> Tom

Bill replies:

Thanks, Tom!
>

Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2005 13:31:21 EDT
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: ANNOUNCING: GreylockNews.COM -- post your news, read our news

great idea!~ thanks for taking this on....I'll think of some exciting news ... I know Conor's Run is coming in September but too early to post it yet.

Bernadette Archibald

From: Jean & Sean Cowhig <[email protected]>
Thanks, Bill......Great idea!! Jean and Sean Cowhig

On Sat, 16 Apr 2005, Carole Castonguay wrote:

> Hi,
> I'm a parent from Lanesboro. "GreylockNews.COM" sounds like a site for the whole high school community. It's important for Lanesboro residents to know what's happening in Williamstown because we need to know what may impact our school, our children and their friends. It's also important for the same reason that Williamstown (and Hancock) residents know what is happening in Lanesboro. Additionally it is a good idea to include reactions from the whole high-school community on issues concerning the high school to insure that when support is needed it comes from everywhere. Could this "forum" also be used to tie together our communities? Right now we really have NO CONNECTION.
>
> Carole Castonguay, Lanesborough

Bill Densmore replies:

Carole:

GreylockNews.COM is a community meeting place. We envision it reflecting the communities around Mount Greylock (the mountain), which certainly includes the feeder communities to Mount Greylock (the high school).

With this post, we have started a topic area -- "Lanesborough." I encourage you to ask town and school officials in Lanesborough to post news and information for all GreylockNews.COM readers to follow.

-- bill densmore

FROM CAROLYN UMLAUF:

Bill,
This method of news seems like a wonderful way to keep community together and informed on a whole range of things. Thank you for this pertinent idea. Carolyn

Posted by: carolyn umlauf | April 15, 2005 02:44 PM

FROM MARGE CHAMBERLAIN:

Bill: This is great! Since, as word has it, Linda Carman will no longer be writing about our local news in the Advocate, this site provides an alternative to accepting local news only through the Transcript or the Eagle. . . and its interactive! I'm all in favor! Thanks for putting this together!

Posted by: marge chamberlain | April 19, 2005 08:58 AM

Posted by Bill Densmore on April 14, 2005 at 09:18 AM in About this website | Permalink

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Comments

BILL ---- Great Newspaper.. You have done a wonderful service for this
town... thank you for this! I was told only today about the site.. great
information! Thank you from us all.
Do you allow any advertisements about products.. such as Herbalife.. I am an
Herbalife distributor... fantastic products.. let me know. thank you again.

Beth Johnson
888-448-9810
[email protected]
www.Wealthier-Lifestyle.net
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Posted by: Beth Johnson | April 22, 2005 08:28 AM