>>> SUMMING UP STORIES WE ARE CONNECTING WITH YOU TONIGHT.

CONNECTING WITH YOU TONIGHT.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE >> IT IS IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE IN A MOSTLY WHITE TOWN TO SEE IN A MOSTLY WHITE TOWN TO SEE THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE OF COLOR THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE OF COLOR AMONGST THEM HIDING IN THE AMONGST THEM HIDING IN THE CRACKS AND TO SEE THEIR WORK.

CRACKS AND TO SEE THEIR WORK.

>> FORMER STATE SENATOR BEN >> FORMER STATE SENATOR BEN DOWNING AND HIS GUBERNATORIAL DOWNING AND HIS GUBERNATORIAL RUN.

RUN.

>> THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS >> THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS SHOWING UP, LISTENING, SHOWING SHOWING UP, LISTENING, SHOWING CONCRETE PLANS FOR HOW WE WILL CONCRETE PLANS FOR HOW WE WILL ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES FACING ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES FACING FAMILIES AND THEIR DAY-TO-DAY FAMILIES AND THEIR DAY-TO-DAY LIVES.

LIVES.

>>> AND THE TOWN OF GREAT >>> AND THE TOWN OF GREAT BARRINGTON WORKS TO MAKE IT BARRINGTON WORKS TO MAKE IT EASIER TO GET FROM HERE TO EASIER TO GET FROM HERE TO THERE.

THERE.

>> I DON'T THINK WE THOUGHT >> I DON'T THINK WE THOUGHT ABOUT HOW DANGEROUS IT REALLY ABOUT HOW DANGEROUS IT REALLY WAS THEN, BUT TIMES HAVE WAS THEN, BUT TIMES HAVE CHANGED.

CHANGED.

THERE'S DEFINITELY A LOT MORE THERE'S DEFINITELY A LOT MORE FAMILIES THAT ARE UTILIZING FAMILIES THAT ARE UTILIZING THAT PORTION OF SEVEN, AND THAT PORTION OF SEVEN, AND IT'S OBVIOUSLY SCARY.

IT'S OBVIOUSLY SCARY.

>> DETAILS ON THOSE STORIES >> DETAILS ON THOSE STORIES AND MORE UP NEXT ON CONNECTING AND MORE UP NEXT ON CONNECTING POINT.

POINT.

>> SUPPORT FOR CONNECTING >> SUPPORT FOR CONNECTING POINT IS PROVIDED BY OUR POINT IS PROVIDED BY OUR CONTRIBUTING VIEWERS.

CONTRIBUTING VIEWERS.

>> GOOD EVENING, AND THANKS >> GOOD EVENING, AND THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR CONNECTING FOR JOINING US FOR CONNECTING POINT.

POINT.

I AM ZYDALIS BAUER.

FAMED I AM ZYDALIS BAUER.

FAMED CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST AND CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST AND WRITER JAMES BALDWIN WROTE IN H WRITER JAMES BALDWIN WROTE IN H ESSAY "THE CREATIVE PROCESS" TH ESSAY "THE CREATIVE PROCESS" TH QUOTE "A SOCIETY MUST ASSUME TH QUOTE "A SOCIETY MUST ASSUME TH IT IS STABLE, BUT THE ARTIST MU IT IS STABLE, BUT THE ARTIST MU KNOW, AND HE MUST LET US KNOW, KNOW, AND HE MUST LET US KNOW, THERE IS NOTHING STABLE UNDER THERE IS NOTHING STABLE UNDER HEAVEN."

USING THESE WORDS AS A HEAVEN."

USING THESE WORDS AS A FOCAL POINT NORTHAMPTON'S OXBOW FOCAL POINT NORTHAMPTON'S OXBOW GALLERY HELD AN EXHIBITION RECE GALLERY HELD AN EXHIBITION RECE ENTITLED "NOTHING STABLE UNDER" ENTITLED "NOTHING STABLE UNDER" IT'S A SHOWCASE OF IT'S A SHOWCASE OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY ARTWORK BY MULTIDISCIPLINARY ARTWORK BY BLACK ARTISTS FROM FOUR BLACK ARTISTS FROM FOUR STATES, AND PRODUCER DAVE STATES, AND PRODUCER DAVE FRASER VISITED THE GALLERY FRASER VISITED THE GALLERY RECENTLY TO BRING US THIS STORY RECENTLY TO BRING US THIS STORY SEGMENT 2 INTRO EVERY FRIDAY NI SEGMENT 2 INTRO EVERY FRIDAY NI >> NOTHING STABLE UNDER HEAVEN >> NOTHING STABLE UNDER HEAVEN IS THE TITLE TAKEN FROM AN IS THE TITLE TAKEN FROM AN ESSAY BY JAMES BALDWIN IN ESSAY BY JAMES BALDWIN IN WHICH HE CLAIMS THE ROLE OF SOCIETY TO REVEAL ITS INHERENT REVEAL ITS INHERENT INSTABILITY.

INSTABILITY.

ARTIST WORKING IN MULTIMEDIA, ARTIST WORKING IN MULTIMEDIA, SPECIALIZING IN DRAWING, SPECIALIZING IN DRAWING, DANCE, MIXED-MEDIA, AND DANCE, MIXED-MEDIA, AND PHOTOGRAPHY.

PHOTOGRAPHY.

>> IN THIS PIECE, I CALL ORDER >> IN THIS PIECE, I CALL ORDER AND DISORDER.

AND DISORDER.

I RELATE THAT TO MY LIFE AND I RELATE THAT TO MY LIFE AND MAYBE A LOT OF US CAN RELATE MAYBE A LOT OF US CAN RELATE TO THAT IN OUR LIVES DURING TO THAT IN OUR LIVES DURING THIS TIME OF COVID OF HAVING A THIS TIME OF COVID OF HAVING A LOT OF DISORDER BUT STILL LOT OF DISORDER BUT STILL HAVING I GUESS I WILL CALL IT HAVING I GUESS I WILL CALL IT OURSELVES COLLECTED TO THE OURSELVES COLLECTED TO THE POINT OF STILL FUNCTIONING.

POINT OF STILL FUNCTIONING.

>> SELECTING SEVERAL PIECES OF >> SELECTING SEVERAL PIECES OF WORK FROM HIS COLLECTION, ALL WORK FROM HIS COLLECTION, ALL OF WHICH HE SAYS IS AN ATTEMPT OF WHICH HE SAYS IS AN ATTEMPT AT CHALLENGING CULTURAL NORMS AT CHALLENGING CULTURAL NORMS AND REDRAFTING RACIAL AND REDRAFTING RACIAL AUTHORITIES WHILE DRAWING AUTHORITIES WHILE DRAWING REFERENCES FROM DREAMS, REFERENCES FROM DREAMS, CURRENT EVENTS, HISTORY, AND CURRENT EVENTS, HISTORY, AND HONORING THE EARTH AND HONORING THE EARTH AND INDIGENOUS ANCESTRIES.

INDIGENOUS ANCESTRIES.

>> SO I WAS PULLING OUT A LOT >> SO I WAS PULLING OUT A LOT OF OLDER WORK AND DRAWINGS AND OF OLDER WORK AND DRAWINGS AND THINGS THAT I HADN'T THOUGHT THINGS THAT I HADN'T THOUGHT ABOUT FOUR YEARS AND STARTED ABOUT FOUR YEARS AND STARTED TO LOOK AT THEM AGAIN AND KIND TO LOOK AT THEM AGAIN AND KIND OF ADD LITTLE TOUCHES TO THEM, OF ADD LITTLE TOUCHES TO THEM, SO THAT WAS A LOT OF FUN.

SO THAT WAS A LOT OF FUN.

>> ON A RECENT SATURDAY, THE >> ON A RECENT SATURDAY, THE GALLERY HOSTED AN OPEN HOUSE GALLERY HOSTED AN OPEN HOUSE TO LET THE PUBLIC MEET THE TO LET THE PUBLIC MEET THE ARTISTS.

ARTISTS.

PEOPLE GATHERED OUTSIDE TAKING PEOPLE GATHERED OUTSIDE TAKING TURNS ENTERING THE SPACE, TURNS ENTERING THE SPACE, TRYING TO ADHERE TO COVERT TRYING TO ADHERE TO COVERT RESTRICTIONS.

RESTRICTIONS.

INSIDE, EMILY ROMAN TALKED INSIDE, EMILY ROMAN TALKED ABOUT HER SELF-PORTRAIT THAT ABOUT HER SELF-PORTRAIT THAT REFLECTS THE INTERSECTION OF REFLECTS THE INTERSECTION OF HER CHILDHOOD MEMORIES GROWING HER CHILDHOOD MEMORIES GROWING UP IN PUERTO RICO AND HER UP IN PUERTO RICO AND HER DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE.

DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE.

>> I CREATE MOSTLY FOR MYSELF, >> I CREATE MOSTLY FOR MYSELF, AND MY PEOPLE.

AND MY PEOPLE.

MY PEOPLE, I WANT MY PEOPLE TO MY PEOPLE, I WANT MY PEOPLE TO CONNECT WITH IT.

CONNECT WITH IT.

I WANT THEM TO LOOK AT IT AND I WANT THEM TO LOOK AT IT AND GO, THAT GIVES ME VIBES OF GO, THAT GIVES ME VIBES OF THIS OR I WANT TO GO TO THE THIS OR I WANT TO GO TO THE BEACH OR I WANT TO GO TO BEACH OR I WANT TO GO TO STRAIGHT HERE.

STRAIGHT HERE.

I WANT THAT FEELING FROM I WANT THAT FEELING FROM THEM.

THEM.

>> IN THE CENTER OF THE >> IN THE CENTER OF THE GALLERY SITS TO PIECES BY JOHN GALLERY SITS TO PIECES BY JOHN HUGHES.

HUGHES.

HE WAS HAS STUDIED MUSIC, HE WAS HAS STUDIED MUSIC, SONG, AND DANCE OF WEST AFRICA SONG, AND DANCE OF WEST AFRICA FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS.

FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS.

HE ADMITS HE IS UNCOMFORTABLE HE ADMITS HE IS UNCOMFORTABLE LABELING HIS WORK AS BLACK LABELING HIS WORK AS BLACK ART.

ART.

>> I GUESS I AM OF TWO MINDS >> I GUESS I AM OF TWO MINDS ABOUT THE SHOW.

ABOUT THE SHOW.

ONE IS IT IS IMPORTANT TO ONE IS IT IS IMPORTANT TO CREATE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR CREATE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR WHO HAVE PEOPLE OF COLOR WHO HAVE GENERALLY SPEAKING BEEN GENERALLY SPEAKING BEEN DISENFRANCHISED TO HAVE FORM, DISENFRANCHISED TO HAVE FORM, AND IT IS IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE AND IT IS IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE IN A MOSTLY WHITE TOWN TO SEE IN A MOSTLY WHITE TOWN TO SEE THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE OF COLOR THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE OF COLOR AMONGST THEM HIDING IN THE AMONGST THEM HIDING IN THE CRACKS AND TO SEE THEIR WORK.

CRACKS AND TO SEE THEIR WORK.

>> THE AGE RANGE OF THE >> THE AGE RANGE OF THE ARTISTS INVOLVED SPAN EIGHT ARTISTS INVOLVED SPAN EIGHT DECADES.

DECADES.

ARTIST BOBBY BROWN IS A ARTIST BOBBY BROWN IS A RETIRED KINDERGARTEN TEACHER RETIRED KINDERGARTEN TEACHER FROM CAMBRIDGE.

FROM CAMBRIDGE.

>> OBSERVING THE KIDS, THE >> OBSERVING THE KIDS, THE YOUNG FIVE AND SIX-YEAR-OLDS YOUNG FIVE AND SIX-YEAR-OLDS DO NOT HAVE A PLAN.

DO NOT HAVE A PLAN.

THEY JUST MESS AROUND WITH THEY JUST MESS AROUND WITH STUFF AND THEN SOMETIMES THEY STUFF AND THEN SOMETIMES THEY SEE SOMETHING THEY LIKE, AND SEE SOMETHING THEY LIKE, AND SO I THOUGHT, WELL, I CAN DO SO I THOUGHT, WELL, I CAN DO THAT.

THAT.

>> ONE ARTIST NOT PRESENT WAS >> ONE ARTIST NOT PRESENT WAS BEATRICE MITCHELL, WHOSE POEM BEATRICE MITCHELL, WHOSE POEM ENTITLED ROTE LEARNING WAS ENTITLED ROTE LEARNING WAS ACCOMPANIED BY IMAGES CREATED ACCOMPANIED BY IMAGES CREATED BY GREENFIELD ARTIST GLORIA BY GREENFIELD ARTIST GLORIA MATLOCK.

MATLOCK.

>> I, BASICALLY, PUT THE >> I, BASICALLY, PUT THE PICTURES WITH THE PROBLEM, BUT PICTURES WITH THE PROBLEM, BUT I WANTED TO DO IT IN A WAY I WANTED TO DO IT IN A WAY THAT THERE WAS SOME COLOR TO THAT THERE WAS SOME COLOR TO IT.

IT.

I LOVE COLORS, AND I JUST I LOVE COLORS, AND I JUST WANTED IT SO PEOPLE COULD LOOK WANTED IT SO PEOPLE COULD LOOK AT THE PICTURE AND BE AT THE PICTURE AND BE ATTRACTED TO THE PICTURES AND ATTRACTED TO THE PICTURES AND THEN ALONG WITH THE PROBLEM.

THEN ALONG WITH THE PROBLEM.

>> THE EXHIBIT RUNS THROUGH APRh >> THE EXHIBIT RUNS THROUGH APRh AT THE OXBOW GALLERY IN AT THE OXBOW GALLERY IN NORTHAMPTON.

NORTHAMPTON.

>> LIVING IN A PLACE LIKE >> LIVING IN A PLACE LIKE THIS, I FEEL LIKE THERE IS A THIS, I FEEL LIKE THERE IS A LOT OF EUROPEAN REPRESENTATION LOT OF EUROPEAN REPRESENTATION OF ARTWORK.

OF ARTWORK.

TO HAVE SUCH GIFTED ARTISTS TO HAVE SUCH GIFTED ARTISTS HERE BEING REPRESENTED IS A HERE BEING REPRESENTED IS A REAL SOURCE OF CHANGE TO SHOW REAL SOURCE OF CHANGE TO SHOW ARTISTS THAT THEY CAN MAKE IT, ARTISTS THAT THEY CAN MAKE IT, THAT BLACK ARTISTS CAN CREATE THAT BLACK ARTISTS CAN CREATE AND THAT IT IS A VIABLE SOURCE AND THAT IT IS A VIABLE SOURCE OF LIVING AND BEING TO BE AN OF LIVING AND BEING TO BE AN ARTIST.

ARTIST.

>> EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT, WE >> EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT, WE CONNECT THE PEOPLE, PLACES, CONNECT THE PEOPLE, PLACES, AND IDEA THAT MATTER MOST TO AND IDEA THAT MATTER MOST TO WESTERN NEW ENGLAND, BUT IT WESTERN NEW ENGLAND, BUT IT DOESN'T STOP THERE.

DOESN'T STOP THERE.

YOU CAN FIND US ONLINE ANYTIME YOU CAN FIND US ONLINE ANYTIME FOR EXCLUSIVE FEATURES AND FOR EXCLUSIVE FEATURES AND CONTENT.

CONTENT.

IN OUR DIGITAL EXTRA THIS IN OUR DIGITAL EXTRA THIS WEEK, WE HEAR FROM TO BUSINESS WEEK, WE HEAR FROM TO BUSINESS OWNERS ON MAIN STREET IN WEST OWNERS ON MAIN STREET IN WEST SPRINGFIELD ABOUT WHERE THEY SPRINGFIELD ABOUT WHERE THEY CAME FROM, WHERE THEY ARE, AND CAME FROM, WHERE THEY ARE, AND WHERE THEY ARE GOING AS THEY WHERE THEY ARE GOING AS THEY PURSUE THE FABLED AMERICAN PURSUE THE FABLED AMERICAN DREAM.

DREAM.

>> WE DIDN'T MEET EACH OTHER >> WE DIDN'T MEET EACH OTHER BACK HOME, LIKE IRAQI, SYRIAN, BACK HOME, LIKE IRAQI, SYRIAN, EGYPTIAN.

EGYPTIAN.

WE NEVER MET EACH OTHER WE NEVER MET EACH OTHER THERE.

THERE.

WHEN WE CAME HERE, WE MET EACH WHEN WE CAME HERE, WE MET EACH OTHER.

OTHER.

WE BECAME A FAMILY.

WE BECAME A FAMILY.

WE BECAME OUR OWN NATION IN A WE BECAME OUR OWN NATION IN A BIG NATION.

BIG NATION.

>> DON'T MISS THIS DIGITAL >> DON'T MISS THIS DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE AVAILABLE ONLINE EXCLUSIVE AVAILABLE ONLINE RIGHT NOW AT RIGHT NOW AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

>>> THE 2022 MASSACHUSETTS >>> THE 2022 MASSACHUSETTS GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION MAY BE GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION MAY BE A YEAR AND A HALF AWAY, BUT A YEAR AND A HALF AWAY, BUT ALREADY THE FIRST CANDIDATE ALREADY THE FIRST CANDIDATE HAS THROWN HIS HAT INTO THE HAS THROWN HIS HAT INTO THE RING, AND IT IS A NAME THAT RING, AND IT IS A NAME THAT MAY BE FAMILIAR TO THE MAY BE FAMILIAR TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE REGION.

RESIDENTS OF THE REGION.

FORMER STATE SENATOR BEN FORMER STATE SENATOR BEN DOWNING, WHO GREW UP IN DOWNING, WHO GREW UP IN PITTSFIELD AND REPRESENTED THE PITTSFIELD AND REPRESENTED THE BROOKSHIRE HAMPSHIRE, BROOKSHIRE HAMPSHIRE, FRANKLIN, AND HAMPTON DISTRICT FRANKLIN, AND HAMPTON DISTRICT FROM 2007-2017, ANNOUNCED HIS FROM 2007-2017, ANNOUNCED HIS CANDIDACY FOR GOVERNOR IN CANDIDACY FOR GOVERNOR IN FEBRUARY.

FEBRUARY.

WE RECENTLY SPOKE WITH DOWNING WE RECENTLY SPOKE WITH DOWNING WHO LIVES IN EAST BOSTON AND WHO LIVES IN EAST BOSTON AND WORKS FOR A RENEWABLE ENERGY WORKS FOR A RENEWABLE ENERGY COMPANY TO FIND OUT WHY HE COMPANY TO FIND OUT WHY HE WANTS TO GET BACK IN THE WANTS TO GET BACK IN THE POLITICAL ARENA AND RUN FOR POLITICAL ARENA AND RUN FOR THE STATE'S HIGHEST ELECTIVE THE STATE'S HIGHEST ELECTIVE OFFICE.

OFFICE.

>> I'M RUNNING FOR GOVERNMENT >> I'M RUNNING FOR GOVERNMENT TO BUILD A FAIRER, STRONGER TO BUILD A FAIRER, STRONGER MASSACHUSETTS.

MASSACHUSETTS.

I HAVE SEEN THE DIFFERENCE I HAVE SEEN THE DIFFERENCE THAT STATE LEADERSHIP MAKES.

THAT STATE LEADERSHIP MAKES.

I'VE LIVED IT.

I'VE LIVED IT.

GROWING UP IN PITTSFIELD, GROWING UP IN PITTSFIELD, GOING THROUGH A TIME OF GOING THROUGH A TIME OF ECONOMIC TRANSITION, SEEING ECONOMIC TRANSITION, SEEING WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE STATE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE STATE DOESN'T STEP IN TO HELP OUR DOESN'T STEP IN TO HELP OUR GATEWAY CITIES OR NOW RAISING GATEWAY CITIES OR NOW RAISING A FAMILY HERE IN EAST BOSTON A FAMILY HERE IN EAST BOSTON WHERE, ON THE ONE HAND, MY WHERE, ON THE ONE HAND, MY NEIGHBORS ARE TOLD THEY ARE NEIGHBORS ARE TOLD THEY ARE ESSENTIAL WORKERS AND THEN ESSENTIAL WORKERS AND THEN THEY COME HOME AND HAVE TO THEY COME HOME AND HAVE TO FIGHT EVICTIONS HERE IN THEIR FIGHT EVICTIONS HERE IN THEIR COMMUNITY, IN THEIR COMMUNITY, IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.

NEIGHBORHOOD.

I'M RUNNING BECAUSE I BELIEVE I'M RUNNING BECAUSE I BELIEVE THE POTENTIAL OF MASSACHUSETTS THE POTENTIAL OF MASSACHUSETTS IS LIMITLESS, AND WE CAN SOLVE IS LIMITLESS, AND WE CAN SOLVE THE BIG PROBLEMS AND THE BIG THE BIG PROBLEMS AND THE BIG CHALLENGES THAT ARE FACING US CHALLENGES THAT ARE FACING US ON CLIMATE CHANGE, ON ECONOMIC ON CLIMATE CHANGE, ON ECONOMIC FAIRNESS, ON RACIAL JUSTICE FAIRNESS, ON RACIAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY.

AND EQUITY.

WE NEED URGENCY FROM OUR WE NEED URGENCY FROM OUR LEADERSHIP, STARTING WITH THE LEADERSHIP, STARTING WITH THE GOVERNOR.

GOVERNOR.

THAT'S WHY I AM RUNNING.

THAT'S WHY I AM RUNNING.

>> YOU, AS PART OF YOUR >> YOU, AS PART OF YOUR CAMPAIGN, HAVE UNVEILED AN CAMPAIGN, HAVE UNVEILED AN AMBITIOUS CLEAN ENERGY AMBITIOUS CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAM.

PROGRAM.

AS I RECALL, YOU WANT AS I RECALL, YOU WANT MASSACHUSETTS TO GO 100% CLEAN MASSACHUSETTS TO GO 100% CLEAN ELECTRICITY BY THE END OF 2030 ELECTRICITY BY THE END OF 2030 AND CLEAN ENERGY BY THE END OF AND CLEAN ENERGY BY THE END OF 2040.

2040.

HOW WOULD THIS LOOK IN TERMS HOW WOULD THIS LOOK IN TERMS OF THE BASE?

OF THE BASE?

ARE WE TALKING ABOUT, FOR ARE WE TALKING ABOUT, FOR EXAMPLE, ALL ELECTRIC BUSES EXAMPLE, ALL ELECTRIC BUSES AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, ALL AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, ALL STATE BUILDINGS BEING POWERED STATE BUILDINGS BEING POWERED BY SOLAR ENERGY, THAT KIND OF BY SOLAR ENERGY, THAT KIND OF THING?

THING?

>> FIRST AND FOREMOST, IT WILL >> FIRST AND FOREMOST, IT WILL BE TRANSITIONING EXISTING BE TRANSITIONING EXISTING ELECTRICITY USE TO 100% CLEAN ELECTRICITY USE TO 100% CLEAN ELECTRICITY BY LEVERAGING THE ELECTRICITY BY LEVERAGING THE CREDIBLE RESOURCE OFF OUR CREDIBLE RESOURCE OFF OUR COAST AND OFFSHORE WIND AND COAST AND OFFSHORE WIND AND THEN CONTINUING TO DEPLOY THEN CONTINUING TO DEPLOY SOLAR AND BATTERY STORAGE HERE SOLAR AND BATTERY STORAGE HERE LOCALLY, WHEREVER AND WHENEVER LOCALLY, WHEREVER AND WHENEVER WE CAN.

WE CAN.

AND THEN TRANSITIONING ALL AND THEN TRANSITIONING ALL OTHER SECTORS AREA BUILDINGS OTHER SECTORS AREA BUILDINGS AND TRANSPORTATION AWAY FROM AND TRANSPORTATION AWAY FROM GAS AND GASOLINE AND OIL, GAS AND GASOLINE AND OIL, TRANSITIONING ALL OF THOSE TRANSITIONING ALL OF THOSE OTHERS AWAY BY 2040.

OTHERS AWAY BY 2040.

I THINK WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO I THINK WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT.

DO THAT.

WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS THAT WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS THAT THERE ARE 12 TO 15 OTHER THERE ARE 12 TO 15 OTHER STATES, DEPENDING ON HOW IT IS STATES, DEPENDING ON HOW IT IS ACCOUNTED FOR, THAT HAVE A ACCOUNTED FOR, THAT HAVE A 100% CLEAN ENERGY OR CLEAN 100% CLEAN ENERGY OR CLEAN ELECTRICITY GOAL IN PLACE ELECTRICITY GOAL IN PLACE TODAY EITHER IN LEGISLATION OR TODAY EITHER IN LEGISLATION OR IN AN EXECUTIVE ORDER.

IN AN EXECUTIVE ORDER.

WE JUST DON'T HAVE THAT.

WE JUST DON'T HAVE THAT.

WE GET TO 2050 AND STILL HAVE WE GET TO 2050 AND STILL HAVE FOSSIL FEELS OPERATING IN FOSSIL FEELS OPERATING IN MASSACHUSETTS.

MASSACHUSETTS.

THAT IS NOT IN LINE WITH THE THAT IS NOT IN LINE WITH THE SCIENCE THAT CLIMATE IS SCIENCE THAT CLIMATE IS REQUIRING US.

REQUIRING US.

I AM 100% CONFIDENT THAT WE I AM 100% CONFIDENT THAT WE CAN DO THIS.

CAN DO THIS.

IT WILL REQUIRE URGENCY.

IT WILL REQUIRE URGENCY.

IT REQUIRES AMBITIOUS IT REQUIRES AMBITIOUS LEADERSHIP.

LEADERSHIP.

WHAT I HAVE SEEN OVER THE LAST WHAT I HAVE SEEN OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS IN THE PRIVATE FOUR YEARS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS THAT THE STATES THAT SECTOR IS THAT THE STATES THAT ARE TAKING THESE STEPS ARE ARE TAKING THESE STEPS ARE ALSO THE STATES THAT ARE ALSO THE STATES THAT ARE GETTING INVESTMENT FROM GETTING INVESTMENT FROM PRIVATE COMPANIES AND THAT PRIVATE COMPANIES AND THAT THERE IS THE ABILITY TO DO THERE IS THE ABILITY TO DO THIS.

THIS.

>> SENATOR, WHAT WOULD BE THE >> SENATOR, WHAT WOULD BE THE TRANSITION TO CLEAN ENERGY TRANSITION TO CLEAN ENERGY COST IN TERMS OF MASSACHUSETTS COST IN TERMS OF MASSACHUSETTS TAXPAYERS CUSTOMER CAP YOU PUT TAXPAYERS CUSTOMER CAP YOU PUT A PRICE TAG ON THIS?

A PRICE TAG ON THIS?

GOVERNOR BAKER HAS THAT HE GOVERNOR BAKER HAS THAT HE DOES NOT WANT A BROAD-BASED DOES NOT WANT A BROAD-BASED TAX INCREASE.

TAX INCREASE.

ARE YOU SAYING THAT HE WOULD ARE YOU SAYING THAT HE WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF SOME KIND OF BE IN FAVOR OF SOME KIND OF TAX INCREASE TO HELP FUND THIS TAX INCREASE TO HELP FUND THIS CLEAN ENERGY INITIATIVE?

CLEAN ENERGY INITIATIVE?

>> SO, THE MAJORITY THAT WE >> SO, THE MAJORITY THAT WE CAN FUND THROUGH EXISTING CAN FUND THROUGH EXISTING PROGRAMS, RIGHT, BUT I THINK PROGRAMS, RIGHT, BUT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT, FIRST, OUR STATUS QUO THAT, FIRST, OUR STATUS QUO HAS A SIGNIFICANT COST.

HAS A SIGNIFICANT COST.

WE PAY THOSE COSTS IN INCREASE WE PAY THOSE COSTS IN INCREASE ASTHMA RATES, HIGHER CHRONIC ASTHMA RATES, HIGHER CHRONIC DISEASE RATES BECAUSE OF OUR DISEASE RATES BECAUSE OF OUR USE OF FOSSIL FUELS.

USE OF FOSSIL FUELS.

WE SEE THAT IN MASS HEALTH, WE SEE THAT IN MASS HEALTH, MEDICAID, BUSINESS, AND FAMILY MEDICAID, BUSINESS, AND FAMILY HEALTHCARE BUDGETS.

HEALTHCARE BUDGETS.

WE PAY IT COST RIGHT NOW.

WE PAY IT COST RIGHT NOW.

THE STATUS QUO IS NOT THE STATUS QUO IS NOT SUSTAINABLE, AND IT IS NOT SUSTAINABLE, AND IT IS NOT STATIC.

STATIC.

IF WE MAKE THESE INVESTMENTS IF WE MAKE THESE INVESTMENTS IN CLEAN ENERGY, IN ENERGY IN CLEAN ENERGY, IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY, THAT WE HAVE THE EFFICIENCY, THAT WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO REAP SIGNIFICANT ABILITY TO REAP SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS BOTH IN TERMS OF JOBS BENEFITS BOTH IN TERMS OF JOBS AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY BUT AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY BUT ALSO IN TERMS OF REDUCED COSTS ALSO IN TERMS OF REDUCED COSTS IN HEALTHCARE, REDUCE COSTS IN IN HEALTHCARE, REDUCE COSTS IN OUR ELECTRICITY BILLS.

OUR ELECTRICITY BILLS.

>> WHAT OTHER PRIORITIES ARE >> WHAT OTHER PRIORITIES ARE ON THE DOWNING PRIORITY LIST ON THE DOWNING PRIORITY LIST AT THIS POINT THAT YOU ARE AT THIS POINT THAT YOU ARE GOING TO BE UNVEILING AS THIS GOING TO BE UNVEILING AS THIS CAMPAIGN MOVES FORWARD?

CAMPAIGN MOVES FORWARD?

>> SO, WE WILL BE ROLLING OUT >> SO, WE WILL BE ROLLING OUT SOMEWHERE ON THE ORDER OF SOMEWHERE ON THE ORDER OF ANOTHER DOZEN OF THESE POLICY ANOTHER DOZEN OF THESE POLICY ACTION PLANS.

ACTION PLANS.

CONTAINED IN THEM WILL BE A CONTAINED IN THEM WILL BE A PLAN TO TACKLE POVERTY IN PLAN TO TACKLE POVERTY IN MASSACHUSETTS.

MASSACHUSETTS.

ONE TO ENSURE ECONOMIC ONE TO ENSURE ECONOMIC SECURITY FOR WORKING FAMILIES, SECURITY FOR WORKING FAMILIES, COMPREHENSIVE TAX REFORM, A COMPREHENSIVE TAX REFORM, A PLAN AROUND JOBS, HOUSING PLAN AROUND JOBS, HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE AND INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORTATION.

TRANSPORTATION.

THERE WILL BE A CONFERENCE OF THERE WILL BE A CONFERENCE OF STRATEGY FOR HOW WE BUILD A STRATEGY FOR HOW WE BUILD A FAIRER, STRONGER FAIRER, STRONGER MASSACHUSETTS.

MASSACHUSETTS.

>> SENATOR, WHEN YOU WERE >> SENATOR, WHEN YOU WERE RUNNING FOR STATE SENATOR IN RUNNING FOR STATE SENATOR IN THE BERKSHIRES, YOU WERE VERY THE BERKSHIRES, YOU WERE VERY SUCCESSFUL.

SUCCESSFUL.

THAT WAS A STATE SENATE SEAT THAT WAS A STATE SENATE SEAT THAT YOU RAN FOR.

THAT YOU RAN FOR.

DIFFERENT BALLGAME NOW.

DIFFERENT BALLGAME NOW.

YOU'RE RUNNING FOR THE STATES YOU'RE RUNNING FOR THE STATES TOP ELECTIVE OFFICE, THE TOP ELECTIVE OFFICE, THE GOVERNORSHIP WHERE YOU HAVE GOVERNORSHIP WHERE YOU HAVE GOT TO GET YOUR NAME GOT TO GET YOUR NAME RECOGNITION OUT ACROSS THE RECOGNITION OUT ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

COMMONWEALTH.

HOW DO YOU INTEND TO DO THAT, HOW DO YOU INTEND TO DO THAT, AND HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK THIS AND HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK THIS CAMPAIGN FOR GOVERNOR IS GOING CAMPAIGN FOR GOVERNOR IS GOING TO COST YOU TO BE ABLE TO TO COST YOU TO BE ABLE TO RAISE THE MONEY TO BE RAISE THE MONEY TO BE SUCCESSFUL?

SUCCESSFUL?

>> FIRST, THAT'S WHY I AM IN >> FIRST, THAT'S WHY I AM IN THIS RACE EARLY, TO GET IN THIS RACE EARLY, TO GET IN THERE AND MEET WITH VOTERS, TO THERE AND MEET WITH VOTERS, TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS SO THAT HAVE CONVERSATIONS SO THAT COME NEXT YEAR WHEN FOLKS ARE COME NEXT YEAR WHEN FOLKS ARE GOING TO THEIR POLLING PLACES GOING TO THEIR POLLING PLACES OR CASTING THE EARLY BALLOTS, OR CASTING THE EARLY BALLOTS, THEY WILL HAVE SEEN ME NOT ONE THEY WILL HAVE SEEN ME NOT ONE TIME BUT TWO, THREE, FOUR, TIME BUT TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE TIMES IN THEIR FIVE TIMES IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

COMMUNITY.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE WHEN IT COMES TO THE RESOURCES, WE ARE GOING TO RESOURCES, WE ARE GOING TO HOLD OURSELVES TO A HIGHER HOLD OURSELVES TO A HIGHER STANDARD.

STANDARD.

I'M NOT TAKING DONATIONS FROM I'M NOT TAKING DONATIONS FROM LOBBYISTS, NOT TAKING LOBBYISTS, NOT TAKING DONATIONS FROM PACS.

DONATIONS FROM PACS.

I'M EXCITED THAT IN THE FIRST I'M EXCITED THAT IN THE FIRST QUARTER WE WERE ABLE TO RAISE QUARTER WE WERE ABLE TO RAISE $227,000.

$227,000.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, FROM 1100 MORE IMPORTANTLY, FROM 1100 INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS, AND INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS, AND WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO BUILD THAT SMALL DOLLAR BUILD THAT SMALL DOLLAR FUNDRAISING BASE TO BUILD THE FUNDRAISING BASE TO BUILD THE FOUNDATION FOR AN INDEPENDENT FOUNDATION FOR AN INDEPENDENT PROGRESSIVE CAMPAIGN, TO BUILD PROGRESSIVE CAMPAIGN, TO BUILD A FAIRER, STRONGER A FAIRER, STRONGER MASSACHUSETTS.

MASSACHUSETTS.

>> AS WE SPEAK, YOU ARE THE >> AS WE SPEAK, YOU ARE THE ONLY ANNOUNCED CANDIDATE FOR ONLY ANNOUNCED CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR IN THE 2022 RACE FOR GOVERNOR IN THE 2022 RACE FOR MASSACHUSETTS.

MASSACHUSETTS.

DO YOU EXPECT GOVERNOR BAKER DO YOU EXPECT GOVERNOR BAKER TO BE A CANDIDATE AGAIN?

TO BE A CANDIDATE AGAIN?

IF SO, HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT IF SO, HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT RUNNING AGAINST ONE OF THE RUNNING AGAINST ONE OF THE MORE POPULAR GOVERNORS EVER MORE POPULAR GOVERNORS EVER ELECTED IN THE MASSACHUSETTS?

ELECTED IN THE MASSACHUSETTS?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK GOVERNOR >> YOU KNOW, I THINK GOVERNOR BAKER IS A GOOD MAN AND A BAKER IS A GOOD MAN AND A TALENTED KID PUBLIC SERVANT.

TALENTED KID PUBLIC SERVANT.

HE IS SOMEONE I DISAGREE WITH.

HE IS SOMEONE I DISAGREE WITH.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT GOING OUT I'M EXCITED ABOUT GOING OUT THERE AND HAVING THAT DEBATE, THERE AND HAVING THAT DEBATE, BOTH ABOUT OUR VALUES AND BOTH ABOUT OUR VALUES AND EARNING VOTERS TRUST OVER THE EARNING VOTERS TRUST OVER THE COURSE OF THE CAMPAIGN.

COURSE OF THE CAMPAIGN.

I THINK THE IMPORTANT THING IS I THINK THE IMPORTANT THING IS TO HAVE A DEBATE ABOUT THE TO HAVE A DEBATE ABOUT THE RECORD THE GOVERNOR HAS RECORD THE GOVERNOR HAS COMPILED OVER THE LAST SIX COMPILED OVER THE LAST SIX YEARS.

YEARS.

HE HAS HAD ALL THE POLITICAL HE HAS HAD ALL THE POLITICAL CAPITAL IN THE WORLD, YET HE CAPITAL IN THE WORLD, YET HE HASN'T SPENT IT ON OUR HASN'T SPENT IT ON OUR BEHALF.

BEHALF.

HE HAS BEEN FINE TO MANAGE THE HE HAS BEEN FINE TO MANAGE THE STATUS QUO, BUT THAT STATUS STATUS QUO, BUT THAT STATUS QUO IS NOT SUSTAINABLE.

QUO IS NOT SUSTAINABLE.

IT IS NOT SUSTAINABLE FOR FOLK IT IS NOT SUSTAINABLE FOR FOLK IN PITTSFIELD OR SPRINGFIELD IN PITTSFIELD OR SPRINGFIELD OR EAST BOSTON OR MANY OTHER OR EAST BOSTON OR MANY OTHER COMMUNITIES.

COMMUNITIES.

THAT STATUS QUO IS ONE OF THAT STATUS QUO IS ONE OF GROWING INEQUALITY, GROWING GROWING INEQUALITY, GROWING WAGE AND WEA WEALTH, WAGE AND WEA WEALTH, GROWING RACIAL INEQUITIES.

GROWING RACIAL INEQUITIES.

WE HAVE NOT HAD THE U WE HAVE NOT HAD THE U URGENT TYPE OF LEADERSHIP TO URGENT TYPE OF LEADERSHIP TO CLOSE THOSE GAPS AND BUILD A CLOSE THOSE GAPS AND BUILD A STRONGER, FAIRER STRONGER, FAIRER MASSACHUSETTS.

MASSACHUSETTS.

>>> IN THE CITY, SIDEWALKS ARE >>> IN THE CITY, SIDEWALKS ARE A NECESSITY TO GET FROM ONE A NECESSITY TO GET FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER BY-FOOT AND PLACE TO ANOTHER BY-FOOT AND ARE SO PREVALENT THEY ARE ARE SO PREVALENT THEY ARE OFTEN TAKEN FOR GRANTED.

OFTEN TAKEN FOR GRANTED.

IN RURAL AREAS OF THE STATE, IN RURAL AREAS OF THE STATE, THEY ARE NOT QUITE AS THEY ARE NOT QUITE AS ABUNDANT, BUT SOMETIMES JUST ABUNDANT, BUT SOMETIMES JUST AS NECESSARY FOR YOU THE TOWN AS NECESSARY FOR YOU THE TOWN OF GREAT BARRINGTON EXTREMITY OF GREAT BARRINGTON EXTREMITY THEIR OWN CONNECTIVITY THEIR OWN CONNECTIVITY SITUATION WITH WALKWAYS AND SITUATION WITH WALKWAYS AND SIDEWALKS THAT WILL BETTER SIDEWALKS THAT WILL BETTER LINK THEIR COMMUNITY TOGETHER, LINK THEIR COMMUNITY TOGETHER, AND BRIAN SULLIVAN TRAVELED TO AND BRIAN SULLIVAN TRAVELED TO THE SOUTHERN BERKSHIRE TOWN TO THE SOUTHERN BERKSHIRE TOWN TO GET A LOOK AT TWO OF THEIR GET A LOOK AT TWO OF THEIR LATEST PROJECTS.

LATEST PROJECTS.

>> Reporter: IN A CITY >> Reporter: IN A CITY LANDSCAPE, SIDEWALKS CAN LANDSCAPE, SIDEWALKS CAN BECOME SO COMMONPLACE AS TO BE BECOME SO COMMONPLACE AS TO BE NOTHING MORE THAN AN NOTHING MORE THAN AN AFTERTHOUGHT.

AFTERTHOUGHT.

IN SPRINGFIELD, I CAN WALK IN SPRINGFIELD, I CAN WALK FROM MY APARTMENT FOR FROM MY APARTMENT FOR COUNTLESS BLOCKS, AND THE ONLY COUNTLESS BLOCKS, AND THE ONLY TIME MY FEET TOUCH THE ROADWAY TIME MY FEET TOUCH THE ROADWAY IS AT THE CROSSWALK, OF WHICH IS AT THE CROSSWALK, OF WHICH THERE IS A SURPLUS, BUT WITH THERE IS A SURPLUS, BUT WITH ALL THE STOP LIGHTS IN TOWN.

ALL THE STOP LIGHTS IN TOWN.

RURAL AREAS TEND TO HAVE RURAL AREAS TEND TO HAVE DIFFERENT STORY TO TELL.

DIFFERENT STORY TO TELL.

HERE IN SPRING FIELD, HERE IN SPRING FIELD, PEDESTRIANS CAN ACTUALLY SEE A PEDESTRIANS CAN ACTUALLY SEE A MAJOR HIGHWAY ELEVATED ABOVE MAJOR HIGHWAY ELEVATED ABOVE THEM IN CERTAIN SPOTS.

THEM IN CERTAIN SPOTS.

IN GREAT BARRINGTON, THEIR IN GREAT BARRINGTON, THEIR MAJOR HIGHWAY IS RIGHT THERE MAJOR HIGHWAY IS RIGHT THERE AT GROUND LEVEL AND RUN AT GROUND LEVEL AND RUN STRAIGHT INTO CONNECTICUT.

STRAIGHT INTO CONNECTICUT.

KIDS WHO GREW UP HERE RIDING KIDS WHO GREW UP HERE RIDING THEIR BIKES DOWN THE STRETCH THEIR BIKES DOWN THE STRETCH OF ROUTE SEVEN, NOW AS ADULTS, OF ROUTE SEVEN, NOW AS ADULTS, SEE IT AS A DAUNTING TASK FOR SEE IT AS A DAUNTING TASK FOR ANYONE WHO ATTEMPTS IT.

ANYONE WHO ATTEMPTS IT.

THE SOLUTION, A GREENWAY THE SOLUTION, A GREENWAY PROJECT THAT CUTS OFF A LARGE PROJECT THAT CUTS OFF A LARGE SECTION OF THIS ROAD AND GETS SECTION OF THIS ROAD AND GETS PEDESTRIANS JUST A LITTLE PEDESTRIANS JUST A LITTLE CLOSER TO THE BEAUTY THAT CLOSER TO THE BEAUTY THAT SURROUNDS THEM.

SURROUNDS THEM.

>> I DON'T THINK WE THOUGHT >> I DON'T THINK WE THOUGHT ABOUT HOW DANGEROUS IT REALLY ABOUT HOW DANGEROUS IT REALLY WAS THEN, BUT TIMES HAVE WAS THEN, BUT TIMES HAVE CHANGED AND THERE IS CHANGED AND THERE IS DEFINITELY A LOT MORE FAMILIES DEFINITELY A LOT MORE FAMILIES THAT ARE UTILIZING THAT THAT ARE UTILIZING THAT PORTION, AND IT IS OBVIOUSLY PORTION, AND IT IS OBVIOUSLY SCARY AND IT HAS BEEN A SCARY AND IT HAS BEEN A CONCERN.

CONCERN.

THERE HAS BEEN SOME ACCIDENTS, THERE HAS BEEN SOME ACCIDENTS, SO IT'S A GREAT THING FOR THE SO IT'S A GREAT THING FOR THE COMMUNITY TO GET THIS BUILT COMMUNITY TO GET THIS BUILT AND MAKE IT SAFER AND TO AND MAKE IT SAFER AND TO INCREASE THE SORT OF ABILITY INCREASE THE SORT OF ABILITY FOR PEOPLE TO UTILIZE THE OPEN FOR PEOPLE TO UTILIZE THE OPEN SPACE THE TOWN HAS TO OFFER.

SPACE THE TOWN HAS TO OFFER.

>> THE MONEY FOR THIS ROUGHLY >> THE MONEY FOR THIS ROUGHLY HALF MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT HALF MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT CAME THROUGH A SHARED STREETS CAME THROUGH A SHARED STREETS GRANT FROM MASS D.O.T.

AND THE GRANT FROM MASS D.O.T.

AND THE TOWN AND WILL HELP CREATE A TOWN AND WILL HELP CREATE A LINK BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY LINK BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY CENTER AND COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER AND COMMUNITY HEALTH ONCE IT GETS PAVED.

ONCE IT GETS PAVED.

WE GOT THERE BEFORE THE PAVING WE GOT THERE BEFORE THE PAVING STARTED TO TAKE IN SOME OF THE STARTED TO TAKE IN SOME OF THE SITES.

SITES.

HOWEVER, PAVING OPERATIONS HOWEVER, PAVING OPERATIONS WERE GETTING UNDERWAY ON MAIN WERE GETTING UNDERWAY ON MAIN STREET AND HOUSATONIC VILLAGE STREET AND HOUSATONIC VILLAGE JUST A FEW MILES UP THE ROAD.

JUST A FEW MILES UP THE ROAD.

WHILE NOT REALLY A WHILE NOT REALLY A PROTOTYPICAL MAIN STREET IN PROTOTYPICAL MAIN STREET IN TERMS OF STOREFRONTS AND TERMS OF STOREFRONTS AND COMMERCE, IT DOES CARRY KENNY COMMERCE, IT DOES CARRY KENNY OF VEHICULAR VOLUME SINCE IT OF VEHICULAR VOLUME SINCE IT CONNECTS WITH ROUTE 41, ONE OF CONNECTS WITH ROUTE 41, ONE OF THE MAJOR ROADWAYS HERE IN THE THE MAJOR ROADWAYS HERE IN THE SOUTHERN BERKSHIRES.

SOUTHERN BERKSHIRES.

>> THIS IS A SIDEWALK PEOPLE >> THIS IS A SIDEWALK PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ASKING ABOUT FOR HAVE BEEN ASKING ABOUT FOR ABOUT A DECADE.

ABOUT A DECADE.

WE ARE FINALLY ABLE TO RECEIVE WE ARE FINALLY ABLE TO RECEIVE A COMPLETE STREETS GRANT A A COMPLETE STREETS GRANT A YEAR AGO, SO THIS IS A 230 YEAR AGO, SO THIS IS A 230 SOME THOUSAND DOLLAR PROJECT SOME THOUSAND DOLLAR PROJECT TO EXTEND THE SIDEWALK ON MAIN TO EXTEND THE SIDEWALK ON MAIN STREET IN HOUSATONIC.

STREET IN HOUSATONIC.

>> THE NEW SIDEWALK NOT ONLY >> THE NEW SIDEWALK NOT ONLY GIVES LOCALS A SAFER WAY TO GIVES LOCALS A SAFER WAY TO GET TO PLACES LIKE THE LIBRARY GET TO PLACES LIKE THE LIBRARY AND COMMUNITY CENTER, BUT IT AND COMMUNITY CENTER, BUT IT ALSO PROVIDES EASIER ACCESS TO ALSO PROVIDES EASIER ACCESS TO SOME NATURE SPOTS HERE IN SOME NATURE SPOTS HERE IN TOWN, LIKE OLD MAIDS PARK UP TOWN, LIKE OLD MAIDS PARK UP THE ROAD, AND THIS RAIL TRAIL THE ROAD, AND THIS RAIL TRAIL THAT I AM ON NOW.

THAT I AM ON NOW.

SO FAR CONSTRUCTION AND WORK SO FAR CONSTRUCTION AND WORK CREWS HAVE ALREADY MADE AN CREWS HAVE ALREADY MADE AN ALREADY NARROW ROAD EVEN MORE ALREADY NARROW ROAD EVEN MORE SO, FORCING DRIVERS TO TAKE SO, FORCING DRIVERS TO TAKE THINGS MUCH SLOWER.

THINGS MUCH SLOWER.

FOR ONE OF THE ONLY FOR ONE OF THE ONLY STOREFRONTS ON THE STREET, STOREFRONTS ON THE STREET, GIVING PASSING EYES MORE TIME GIVING PASSING EYES MORE TIME TO STOP AND LOOK MAY ACTUALLY TO STOP AND LOOK MAY ACTUALLY BE GOOD FOR BUSINESS.

BE GOOD FOR BUSINESS.

IN FACT, THE NEW SIDEWALK WILL IN FACT, THE NEW SIDEWALK WILL MAKE THE STREET PERMANENTLY MAKE THE STREET PERMANENTLY THINNER BY DESIGNED TO MAKE IT THINNER BY DESIGNED TO MAKE IT SAFER FOR PEDESTRIANS AND, SAFER FOR PEDESTRIANS AND, HOPEFULLY, DETER DRIVERS FROM HOPEFULLY, DETER DRIVERS FROM TREATING THE ROAD LIKE THE TREATING THE ROAD LIKE THE LOCAL SPEEDWAY.

LOCAL SPEEDWAY.

>> THE AREA ROAD HAS BEEN >> THE AREA ROAD HAS BEEN UTILIZED A LOT BY PEOPLE WHILE UTILIZED A LOT BY PEOPLE WHILE WALKING WITH THEIR FAMILIES BY WALKING WITH THEIR FAMILIES BY WALKING THEIR DOGS, AND IT'S WALKING THEIR DOGS, AND IT'S NARROW AND DANGEROUS.

NARROW AND DANGEROUS.

THIS SECTION OF THE SIDEWALK THIS SECTION OF THE SIDEWALK IS GOING TO INCREASE IS GOING TO INCREASE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.

WE ARE ALSO DOING SOME EXTRA WE ARE ALSO DOING SOME EXTRA SIGNAGE AND DOING SOME TRAFFIC SIGNAGE AND DOING SOME TRAFFIC MEASURES TO SLOW CARS DOWN.

MEASURES TO SLOW CARS DOWN.

REPORTER MET EACH OF THESE REPORTER MET EACH OF THESE RELATIVELY COST-EFFECTIVE RELATIVELY COST-EFFECTIVE PROJECTS IS NOW BEING VIEWED PROJECTS IS NOW BEING VIEWED AS THE FIRST STEP IN CREATING AS THE FIRST STEP IN CREATING WHAT THE TOWN HOPES WILL BE A WHAT THE TOWN HOPES WILL BE A MORE PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY RURAL MORE PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY RURAL COMMUNITY.

COMMUNITY.

>> OUR OVERALL VISION IS TO >> OUR OVERALL VISION IS TO HAVE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND OUR HAVE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND OUR COMMUNITY CENTERS AND OUR BIG COMMUNITY CENTERS AND OUR BIG SIDEWALKS, WITH TRAILS, WITH A SIDEWALKS, WITH TRAILS, WITH A COMPLETE STREETS NETWORK SO COMPLETE STREETS NETWORK SO PEOPLE CAN GET AROUND SAFELY PEOPLE CAN GET AROUND SAFELY AND EASILY IF THEY DON'T WANT AND EASILY IF THEY DON'T WANT TO TRAVEL IN A CAR OR IF THEY TO TRAVEL IN A CAR OR IF THEY TRAVEL BY BIKE OR BY BUS.

TRAVEL BY BIKE OR BY BUS.

PEOPLE CAN GET AROUND TO WHERE PEOPLE CAN GET AROUND TO WHERE THEY NEED TO GO.

THEY NEED TO GO.

>>> EVERY APRIL SINCE 1987, >>> EVERY APRIL SINCE 1987, THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON ALCOHOL AND DRUG DEPENDENCE ALCOHOL AND DRUG DEPENDENCE HAS SPONSORED ALCOHOL HAS SPONSORED ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH TO INCREASE AWARENESS MONTH TO INCREASE THE UNDERSTANDING OF CAUSES IN THE UNDERSTANDING OF CAUSES IN TREATMENT FOR ALCOHOL TREATMENT FOR ALCOHOL ADDICTION AS WELL AS TO REDUCE ADDICTION AS WELL AS TO REDUCE THE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH THE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH IT.

IT.

LOCAL COMMUNITIES ARE LOCAL COMMUNITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE AND ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE AND BRING AWARENESS TO THIS ISSUE BRING AWARENESS TO THIS ISSUE AS WELL AS OFFER RESOURCES.

AS WELL AS OFFER RESOURCES.

I SPOKE WITH THE EXECUTIVE I SPOKE WITH THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT COMPASS RECOVERY DIRECTOR AT COMPASS RECOVERY AND THE CLINICAL DIRECTOR TO AND THE CLINICAL DIRECTOR TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS DISEASE LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS DISEASE AND WHAT THEIR ORGANIZATION IS AND WHAT THEIR ORGANIZATION IS DOING TO HELP.

DOING TO HELP.

>> ADDICTION IN GENERAL IS, >> ADDICTION IN GENERAL IS, YOU KNOW, A KILLER.

YOU KNOW, A KILLER.

THE REASON IT IS IMPORTANT TO THE REASON IT IS IMPORTANT TO SHED LIGHT ON THE DISEASE OF SHED LIGHT ON THE DISEASE OF ADDICTION IS BECAUSE MANY ADDICTION IS BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE DON'T ACTUALLY PEOPLE DON'T ACTUALLY RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS A RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS A DISEASE.

DISEASE.

LIKE ANY DISEASE, IT IS LIKE ANY DISEASE, IT IS CHRONIC.

CHRONIC.

IT'S PROGRESSIVE, AND IT'S IT'S PROGRESSIVE, AND IT'S FATAL.

FATAL.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT.

TO UNDERSTAND THAT.

THAT'S THE BIGGEST STIGMA WITH THAT'S THE BIGGEST STIGMA WITH ADDICTION IS IF I SAID TO YOU, ADDICTION IS IF I SAID TO YOU, I HAVE CANCER, PEOPLE DON'T I HAVE CANCER, PEOPLE DON'T EXPECT YOU TO JUST GET.

EXPECT YOU TO JUST GET.

THEY EXPECT THAT THE ONLY WAY THEY EXPECT THAT THE ONLY WAY YOU ARE GOING TO GET BETTER IS YOU ARE GOING TO GET BETTER IS IF YOUR TREATMENT, BUT IF IF YOUR TREATMENT, BUT IF SOMEONE STRUGGLES WITH ALCOHOL SOMEONE STRUGGLES WITH ALCOHOL OR ADDICTION, IT'S LIKE, WHY OR ADDICTION, IT'S LIKE, WHY CAN'T YOU STOP?

CAN'T YOU STOP?

ALCOHOL IS SO SOCIALLY ALCOHOL IS SO SOCIALLY ACCEPTED.

ACCEPTED.

IT IS A LEGAL DRUG.

IT IS A LEGAL DRUG.

IT'S SOCIALLY ACCEPTED, AND IT'S SOCIALLY ACCEPTED, AND WHAT THE NORM -- WITH THE WHAT THE NORM -- WITH THE NORMAL DEFINITION OF PROBLEM NORMAL DEFINITION OF PROBLEM IS TO THE REALITY OF WHAT THE IS TO THE REALITY OF WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, IT'S REALLY A BIG PROBLEM IS, IT'S REALLY A BIG CAP.

CAP.

YOU KNOW, THE CDC, THEY SAY YOU KNOW, THE CDC, THEY SAY THAT IF FOR A WOMAN IF SHE THAT IF FOR A WOMAN IF SHE DRINKS MORE THAN FOUR DRINKS DRINKS MORE THAN FOUR DRINKS IN ONE SITTING OR EIGHT DRINKS IN ONE SITTING OR EIGHT DRINKS IN ONE WEEK THAT SHE HAS A IN ONE WEEK THAT SHE HAS A SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEM.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEM.

FOR A MAN, IF YOU DRINK MORE FOR A MAN, IF YOU DRINK MORE THAN FIVE DRINKS IN ONE THAN FIVE DRINKS IN ONE SITTING OR 15 AND ONE WEEK, HE SITTING OR 15 AND ONE WEEK, HE HAS A SUBSTANCE USE ISSUE.

HAS A SUBSTANCE USE ISSUE.

IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO SHED IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO SHED THIS LIGHT ON ALCOHOLISM, THIS LIGHT ON ALCOHOLISM, BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE WOULD BE BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE WOULD BE SHOCKED TO FIND OUT HOW LITTLE SHOCKED TO FIND OUT HOW LITTLE YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO BE YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO BE DRINKING, YOU KNOW, TO HAVE A DRINKING, YOU KNOW, TO HAVE A PROBLEM.

PROBLEM.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK THAT THE POINT THAT I THINK THAT THE POINT THAT YOU BROUGHT UP ABOUT ALCOHOL YOU BROUGHT UP ABOUT ALCOHOL BEING A SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE BEING A SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE DRUG AND IT IS SUCH A BIG PART DRUG AND IT IS SUCH A BIG PART OF OUR CULTURE, WITH THAT IS OF OUR CULTURE, WITH THAT IS THERE STILL A STIGMA AROUND THERE STILL A STIGMA AROUND ADMITTING THAT YOU HAVE A ADMITTING THAT YOU HAVE A PROBLEM AS THERE ONCE WAS?

PROBLEM AS THERE ONCE WAS?

>> THERE IS ALWAYS STIGMAS >> THERE IS ALWAYS STIGMAS AROUND -- ADMITTING SOMEONE AROUND -- ADMITTING SOMEONE HAS A PROBLEM, WITH ANYTHING, HAS A PROBLEM, WITH ANYTHING, IT'S NOT JUST THE STIGMA, IT'S IT'S NOT JUST THE STIGMA, IT'S JUST A HARD THING TO DO.

JUST A HARD THING TO DO.

A KIND OF GOES AGAINST A LOT A KIND OF GOES AGAINST A LOT OF PEOPLE'S NATURE.

OF PEOPLE'S NATURE.

>> ESPECIALLY LIKE YOU >> ESPECIALLY LIKE YOU MENTIONED, IT'S SO EMBEDDED IN MENTIONED, IT'S SO EMBEDDED IN OUR CULTURE.

OUR CULTURE.

WHEN PULPIT HAPPEN, WHAT'S THE WHEN PULPIT HAPPEN, WHAT'S THE FIRST THING PEOPLE WERE FIRST THING PEOPLE WERE TALKING ABOUT CUSTOMER AND TALKING ABOUT CUSTOMER AND GOING TO HAVE A DRINK AT NIGHT GOING TO HAVE A DRINK AT NIGHT OR AT 12:00, BECAUSE THERE'S OR AT 12:00, BECAUSE THERE'S NOTHING ELSE TO DO.

NOTHING ELSE TO DO.

THAT'S BECAUSE IT IS SO THAT'S BECAUSE IT IS SO EMBEDDED.

EMBEDDED.

IT'S OKAY.

IT'S OKAY.

REALLY, THERE IS SO MANY REALLY, THERE IS SO MANY ISSUES AND RISK AND DANGERS ISSUES AND RISK AND DANGERS WITH DRINKING IN THAT WAY.

WITH DRINKING IN THAT WAY.

>> THAT BRINGS ME TO MY NEXT >> THAT BRINGS ME TO MY NEXT POINT.

POINT.

AT THE START OF THIS PANDEMIC, AT THE START OF THIS PANDEMIC, MANY BUSINESSES WERE FORCED TO MANY BUSINESSES WERE FORCED TO TEMPORARILY SHUT DOWN.

TEMPORARILY SHUT DOWN.

HOWEVER, LIQUOR STORES FELL HOWEVER, LIQUOR STORES FELL UNDER THAT ESSENTIAL CATEGORY UNDER THAT ESSENTIAL CATEGORY AND THEY WERE ABLE TO REMAIN AND THEY WERE ABLE TO REMAIN OPEN.

OPEN.

WHY WAS THIS THE CASE, AND DID WHY WAS THIS THE CASE, AND DID YOU SEE AN INCREASE IN ALCOHOL YOU SEE AN INCREASE IN ALCOHOL ADDICTION OR EVEN RELAPSE ADDICTION OR EVEN RELAPSE DURING THE PANDEMIC?

DURING THE PANDEMIC?

>> ALL SUBSTANCE USE WENT UP >> ALL SUBSTANCE USE WENT UP DURING THE PANDEMIC.

DURING THE PANDEMIC.

I THINK IT KIND OF SAYS A LOT I THINK IT KIND OF SAYS A LOT ABOUT OUR CULTURE THAT LIQUOR ABOUT OUR CULTURE THAT LIQUOR STORES ARE ESSENTIAL WORKERS.

STORES ARE ESSENTIAL WORKERS.

SUBSTANCE USE THRIVES IN A SUBSTANCE USE THRIVES IN A LACK OF CONNECTION.

LACK OF CONNECTION.

WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS SUBSTANCE ABUSE, SUBSTANCE SUBSTANCE ABUSE, SUBSTANCE ADDICTION, TAKES PEOPLE AND ADDICTION, TAKES PEOPLE AND ISOLATES THEM UNTIL EVENTUALLY ISOLATES THEM UNTIL EVENTUALLY ALL THE PEOPLE HAVE LEFT IS ALL THE PEOPLE HAVE LEFT IS THE SUBSTANCE.

THE SUBSTANCE.

THE PANDEMIC SEPARATED US.

THE PANDEMIC SEPARATED US.

SO ANYBODY DURING THAT TIME SO ANYBODY DURING THAT TIME WHO ALREADY MAYBE WAS ON THE WHO ALREADY MAYBE WAS ON THE FRINGES OF HAVING A SUBSTANCE FRINGES OF HAVING A SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEM, NOW THEY ARE ABUSE PROBLEM, NOW THEY ARE EVEN MORE ISOLATED, SO NOW EVEN MORE ISOLATED, SO NOW THEY ARE REALLY GOING TO TURN THEY ARE REALLY GOING TO TURN TO SUBSTANCE USE.

TO SUBSTANCE USE.

I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS.

BIGGEST THINGS.

WE ARE SOCIAL CREATURES.

WE ARE SOCIAL CREATURES.

ALCOHOL ESPECIALLY, BUT OTHER ALCOHOL ESPECIALLY, BUT OTHER SUBSTANCES BECAME PEOPLES GO SUBSTANCES BECAME PEOPLES GO TO.

TO.

>> EXACTLY.

>> EXACTLY.

LIKE YOU SAID, THE PANDEMIC LIKE YOU SAID, THE PANDEMIC HAS BEEN DIFFICULT FOR HAS BEEN DIFFICULT FOR EVERYONE.

EVERYONE.

PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING, IT PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING, IT CAN BE EVEN MORE TRYING.

CAN BE EVEN MORE TRYING.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TRIGGERS WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TRIGGERS THAT CAN ARISE DURING THESE THAT CAN ARISE DURING THESE MOMENTS, AND HOW CAN THEY HELP MOMENTS, AND HOW CAN THEY HELP MANAGE THEM?

MANAGE THEM?

>> I MEAN, IT'S TRIGGERS FOR >> I MEAN, IT'S TRIGGERS FOR SUBSTANCE USE IN GENERAL.

SUBSTANCE USE IN GENERAL.

A LOT OF THEM ARE DEPENDENT ON A LOT OF THEM ARE DEPENDENT ON INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE, PLACES, INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE, PLACES, THINGS.

THINGS.

THAT'S WHAT YOU ALWAYS HEAR.

THAT'S WHAT YOU ALWAYS HEAR.

PEOPLE, PLACES, AND THINGS.

PEOPLE, PLACES, AND THINGS.

I THINK PANDEMIC TOOK AWAY THE I THINK PANDEMIC TOOK AWAY THE POSITIVE PEOPLE, PLACES, AND POSITIVE PEOPLE, PLACES, AND THINGS.

THINGS.

THE ISOLATION FROM THE THE ISOLATION FROM THE POSITIVE LEFT PEOPLE WITH POSITIVE LEFT PEOPLE WITH NEGATIVE PERIODS.

NEGATIVE PERIODS.

>> AND WITH THE PANDEMIC, YOU >> AND WITH THE PANDEMIC, YOU WEREN'T ABLE TO USE ANY OTHER WEREN'T ABLE TO USE ANY OTHER COPING SKILLS.

COPING SKILLS.

VIOLENCE ALSO WENT UP.

VIOLENCE ALSO WENT UP.

ALL OF THAT IS CORRELATED.

ALL OF THAT IS CORRELATED.

IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO GO OUT IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO GO OUT AND TAKE A BREAK OR ESCAPE OR AND TAKE A BREAK OR ESCAPE OR DO SOME EXERCISE OUTSIDE OR DO SOME EXERCISE OUTSIDE OR EVEN GO TO THE GYM, NOW YOU EVEN GO TO THE GYM, NOW YOU FALL BACK ONTO THE SKILLS LIKE FALL BACK ONTO THE SKILLS LIKE DRINKING, BECAUSE IT'S RIGHT DRINKING, BECAUSE IT'S RIGHT THERE AND THEY WERE OPEN.

THERE AND THEY WERE OPEN.

>> NOW, ONE STATISTIC THAT I >> NOW, ONE STATISTIC THAT I SAW THAT I'M SURE PROBABLY HAS SAW THAT I'M SURE PROBABLY HAS CHANGED AFTER THE PANDEMIC IS CHANGED AFTER THE PANDEMIC IS THAT ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL THAT ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL SURVEY ON DRUG USE AND HEALTH, SURVEY ON DRUG USE AND HEALTH, ALCOHOL IS THE THIRD LEADING ALCOHOL IS THE THIRD LEADING CAUSE OF PREVENTABLE DEATH IN CAUSE OF PREVENTABLE DEATH IN THE UNITED STATES AND ABOUT THE UNITED STATES AND ABOUT 95000 AMERICANS DIE FROM 95000 AMERICANS DIE FROM ALCOHOL RELATED CAUSES EACH ALCOHOL RELATED CAUSES EACH YEAR.

YEAR.

HOW EARLY DO YOU THINK ALCOHOL HOW EARLY DO YOU THINK ALCOHOL AWARENESS, EDUCATION SHOULD AWARENESS, EDUCATION SHOULD BEGIN?

BEGIN?

>> PARENTS SHOULD EDUCATE >> PARENTS SHOULD EDUCATE THEIR CHILDREN IN THE HOMES AT THEIR CHILDREN IN THE HOMES AT AN EXTREMELY YOUNG AGE.

AN EXTREMELY YOUNG AGE.

I THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE PART I THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE PART OF SOCIETY.

OF SOCIETY.

I THINK EVERY 13-YEAR-OLD AND I THINK EVERY 13-YEAR-OLD AND ABOVE SHOULD KNOW THE REALITY ABOVE SHOULD KNOW THE REALITY OF ALCOHOL FOR YOU NOT TO OF ALCOHOL FOR YOU NOT TO SCARE THEM BY THE REALITY THAT SCARE THEM BY THE REALITY THAT THIS IS A SUBSTANCE THAT WE AS THIS IS A SUBSTANCE THAT WE AS A SOCIETY HAVE DEEMED LEGAL.

A SOCIETY HAVE DEEMED LEGAL.

THIS IS A SUBSTANCE THAT WE AS THIS IS A SUBSTANCE THAT WE AS A SOCIETY REALLY PARTAKE IN A SOCIETY REALLY PARTAKE IN AND SOCIALLY ACCEPTED, BUT AND SOCIALLY ACCEPTED, BUT THIS IS A SUBSTANCE THAT IS THIS IS A SUBSTANCE THAT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

I MEAN, IF NOT USED PROPERLY, I MEAN, IF NOT USED PROPERLY, IT IS GOING TO RUIN YOUR IT IS GOING TO RUIN YOUR LIFE.

LIFE.

OF ALL THE SUBSTANCES, OF ALL THE SUBSTANCES, ACTUALLY ONCE YOU BECOME ACTUALLY ONCE YOU BECOME PHYSICALLY DEPENDENT ON PHYSICALLY DEPENDENT ON ALCOHOL, THAT'S THE WORST OF ALCOHOL, THAT'S THE WORST OF ALL OF THEM TO BE PHYSICALLY ALL OF THEM TO BE PHYSICALLY DEPENDENT ON.

DEPENDENT ON.

THE DETOXES FROM ALCOHOL CAN THE DETOXES FROM ALCOHOL CAN KILL MANY.

KILL MANY.

IT IS LIKE LITERALLY THE IT IS LIKE LITERALLY THE WORST.

WORST.

WHAT REALLY NEEDS TO BE WHAT REALLY NEEDS TO BE EDUCATED IS WHAT DOES EDUCATED IS WHAT DOES SUBSTANCE ABUSE REALLY LOOK SUBSTANCE ABUSE REALLY LOOK LIKE?

LIKE?

OKAY, HEY, WHEN YOU START OKAY, HEY, WHEN YOU START HAVING CONSEQUENCES HAVING CONSEQUENCES FINANCIALLY, EMOTIONALLY, WITH FINANCIALLY, EMOTIONALLY, WITH YOUR RELATIONSHIPS, THAT IS A YOUR RELATIONSHIPS, THAT IS A SIGN YOU MIGHT HAVE A SIGN YOU MIGHT HAVE A SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUE, RIGHT SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUE, RIGHT CUSTOMER WHEN YOU START HAVING CUSTOMER WHEN YOU START HAVING CONSEQUENCES OF THESE THINGS CONSEQUENCES OF THESE THINGS AS A RESULT OF YOUR USING AND AS A RESULT OF YOUR USING AND YOU STILL KEEP USING, THAT IS YOU STILL KEEP USING, THAT IS A DEFINITE SIGN YOU HAVE AN A DEFINITE SIGN YOU HAVE AN ISSUE.

ISSUE.

>> NOW, WHAT RESOURCES ARE >> NOW, WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE FOR SOMEONE WHO IS AVAILABLE FOR SOMEONE WHO IS STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT ABUSE, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT DO NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO DO NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO AFFORD COSTLY RECOVERY AFFORD COSTLY RECOVERY PROGRAMS CUSTOMER.

PROGRAMS CUSTOMER.

>> TWELVE-STEP PROGRAMS ARE AN >> TWELVE-STEP PROGRAMS ARE AN AMAZING RESOURCE.

AMAZING RESOURCE.

NOW WITH THE PANDEMIC, THEY NOW WITH THE PANDEMIC, THEY ARE EVEN AVAILABLE ONLINE.

ARE EVEN AVAILABLE ONLINE.

THEY WERE AVAILABLE ONLINE THEY WERE AVAILABLE ONLINE BEFORE, BUT NOW EVEN MORE BEFORE, BUT NOW EVEN MORE EXCESS OF OVARIAN CONNECTION.

EXCESS OF OVARIAN CONNECTION.

WE ALWAYS SAY THE OPPOSITE OF WE ALWAYS SAY THE OPPOSITE OF ADDICTION IS CONNECTION.

ADDICTION IS CONNECTION.

THE 12-STEP PROGRAM IS GOING THE 12-STEP PROGRAM IS GOING TO GIVE YOU THAT.

TO GIVE YOU THAT.

TALKING TO OTHER FOLKS WHO ARE TALKING TO OTHER FOLKS WHO ARE IN THE SAME POSITION AS YOU IN THE SAME POSITION AS YOU WHO CAN RELATE TO YOU, YOU CAN WHO CAN RELATE TO YOU, YOU CAN RELATE TO THEM, YOU CAN TALK RELATE TO THEM, YOU CAN TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE STUFF GOING ABOUT SOME OF THE STUFF GOING ON AND COPE IN A MORE HEALTHY ON AND COPE IN A MORE HEALTHY WAY.

WAY.

>> HONESTLY, BECAUSE NOTHING >> HONESTLY, BECAUSE NOTHING WORKS BETTER THAN BEING WORKS BETTER THAN BEING SOMEWHERE WHERE EVERYBODY SOMEWHERE WHERE EVERYBODY THERE UNDERSTANDS YOU.

THERE UNDERSTANDS YOU.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR CONNECTING >> THAT DOES IT FOR CONNECTING POINT FOR APRIL 23, 202120 POINT FOR APRIL 23, 202120 REMEMBER, YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND REMEMBER, YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND THE STORIES THAT YOU SAW THE STORIES THAT YOU SAW TONIGHT AS WELL AS EXCLUSIVE TONIGHT AS WELL AS EXCLUSIVE FEATURES, DIGITAL ONLY FEATURES, DIGITAL ONLY CONTENT, AND MORE ONLINE CONTENT, AND MORE ONLINE ANYTIME AT ANYTIME AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

PLEASE JOIN US AGAIN NEXT PLEASE JOIN US AGAIN NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT AT 6:00 RIGHT FRIDAY NIGHT AT 6:00 RIGHT HERE ON NEW ENGLAND PUBLIC HERE ON NEW ENGLAND PUBLIC MEDIA FOR MORE STORIES OF THE MEDIA FOR MORE STORIES OF THE PEOPLE, PLACES, AND IDEAS THAT PEOPLE, PLACES, AND IDEAS THAT MATTER MOST TO WESTERN NEW MATTER MOST TO WESTERN NEW ENGLAND.

ENGLAND.

I AM ZYDALIS BAUER.

I AM ZYDALIS BAUER.

BE SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD BE SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

NIGHT.

>> SUPPORT FOR CONNECTING >> SUPPORT FOR CONNECTING POINT IS PROVIDED BY OUR POINT IS PROVIDED BY OUR CONTRIBUTING VIEWERS.