| Pittsfield hospice house project suspended
PITTSFIELD HospiceCare of the Berkshires Inc. has suspended plans for a residence for terminally ill patients, citing a worrisome fundraising climate and an inability to obtain bank financing for an increasingly costly project. The original projected cost of $9 million has grown now to more than $12 million, Brian Fairbank, a HospiceCare board member, said today. The project carried a $10.8 million price tag in January. In another development, HospiceCare's executive director, Claire M. Pace, has resigned her position, in which she served for 5 1/2 years with the construction of the Hospice House as her central goal. Pace, who resigned Monday, will be replaced on an interim basis by Finance Director Denise Granger. The decision to "temporarily suspend" operations comes two months after HospiceCare held a ceremonial groundbreaking for the 20,000-square-foot structure on a 13-acre parcel behind the Guardian Berkshire Life Insurance office complex at 877 South St.
Insurance watchdog reaches out
When the state abolished the Louisiana Insurance Rating Commission last year, it disbanded the public body where people could reach insurance regulators if they had questions or concerns. In its place, the Legislature created a new Office of Consumer Advocacy within the state Insurance Department. Clarissa Preston, the inaugural holder of that position, hopes that she will be a more effective watchdog than the rating commission ever was through a combination of public outreach and auditing trends in insurance complaints. "Since the rating commission is gone, it's going to give an extra eye on filings," said Preston, who was named deputy commissioner of consumer advocacy in late September, and who has been working since then to define the role of her new office and hire staff.
Dinner funds will help Hospice Hope
National Mutual Benefit Fond du Lac Branch No. 695, a Fraternal Life Insurance Society, has scheduled its All-You-Can-Eat Spaghetti Dinner for 4:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 27, at St. Mary's School Gymnasium, 63 E. Merrill Ave. Proceeds of the spaghetti dinner will benefit Agnesian HealthCare's Hospice Hope, according to an event press release. Tickets are $7 for adults and children 12 years of age and older; $3 for children ages 6 to 11; and free for children under five. Tickets can be purchased from Silica Appliance & Electronics, Pump & Pantry, Ma & Pas Grocery Express, 506 S. Main St., the National Mutual Benefit Fond du Lac Agency office and its officers, the St. Agnes Hospital Foundation, 430 E. Division St., and Agnesian HealthCare's Home-Delivered Services office, 239 Trowbridge Drive.
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