- Rob Kusner on In The Face of Public Criticism, Trustees Praise and Defend Jones Library Director: “Well said, Ira! But as a public service to the community, for both information and entertainment, in the spirit of…” Sep 10, 02:16
- on Photos of the Week: A Gallery of Amherst’s Decaying Infrastructure: ““ Is there a class issue at play here? “ Always has been Rita. There are good people in this…” Sep 9, 15:46
- on In The Face of Public Criticism, Trustees Praise and Defend Jones Library Director: “The claim, made repeatedly, that 2/3 of the Amherst community wildly supported this failed plan needs repeated debunking. Only 3000…” Sep 9, 04:49
- on Petition Urges Town Council To Pivot to Affordable Alternative to Costly Jones Library Demolition/Expansion Project: “The Library posts the links to meeting packets, minutes and recordings at https://www.joneslibrary.org/agendacenter when they are available. As of 9/8,…” Sep 9, 01:54
- on In The Face of Public Criticism, Trustees Praise and Defend Jones Library Director: “The old adage, “if these walls could talk,” suggest the historic Jones Library would rue the day the current Library…” Sep 8, 11:18
- on Petition Urges Town Council To Pivot to Affordable Alternative to Costly Jones Library Demolition/Expansion Project: “Could someone please provide the internet link to the September 6th video recording of the Jones Library Board of Trustees…” Sep 8, 10:53
- on Photos of the Week: A Gallery of Amherst’s Decaying Infrastructure: “essential priorities for our town to address!!!” Sep 8, 10:32
- on Black Roots Folk Festival Coming to the Common Sunday: “The flyer says Sunday the 8th!” Sep 7, 21:25
- on Letter: Board of Health Has Been Seeking Trash Hauler Reform Since 2021: “$500 is a great deal of money for one person on a fixed income *many seniors in town by the…” Sep 7, 17:58
- on UMass Task Force on Campus Demonstrations Publishes Recommendations: “Regarding Land Use Policy: adopt a definition of “Structure” informed by Massachusetts law; That would be the Building Code, which…” Sep 7, 13:20
- on Black Roots Folk Festival Coming to the Common Sunday: “I’m confused. Is this on Saturday the 7th or Sunday the 8th? Sounds like a wonderful event!” Sep 7, 06:19
- on Photos of the Week: A Gallery of Amherst’s Decaying Infrastructure: “Thanks Rob and Rita for picking up on the color code which didn’t strike me as so appropriate until you…” Sep 6, 21:45
- on ZBA Gets Legal Advice on Solar Permitting: “Thank you my dear physicist and astronomer-mathematicians for the corrections! Such material is above my intellectual ability and subsequent pay…” Sep 6, 21:24
- on Letter: Hope Is Alive in Amherst: “John McCabe, the husband of Ms Ameen, wrote a similar column in the Gazette today, 9/6/24. It is so off…” Sep 6, 21:16
- on Emily Dickinson Museum’s Evergreens’ Barn Comes to Life. : “The Emily Dickinson Museum Instagram page has just posted photos from the digging of the foundation of the new Carriage…” Sep 5, 03:30
- on Letter: Board of Health Has Been Seeking Trash Hauler Reform Since 2021: “For the demands that have placed on haulers to provide 3 services ( trash, recycling, and compostable collection). $500 per…” Sep 4, 09:19
- on ZBA Gets Legal Advice on Solar Permitting: “There are a bit over 4000 square meters in an acre, and solar flux at Earth’s surface at our latitude…” Sep 4, 01:54
- on Opinion: Sensational Hampshire College Articles Need Context: “Thanks for this piece Jonathon. I graduated from Hampshire in ’88. A time of crisis and rebirth as well. I…” Sep 3, 19:15
- on What’s Law Got to Do With It? How Amherst’s Disregard of Historic Preservation Law Has Already Forfeited $1,800,000 and Jeopardizes Millions More in Federal Grants : “You raise a valid point, Jeff! On behalf of the Jones Library supporters of Save Our Library, since 2016 I’ve…” Sep 3, 12:45
- on Photos of the Week: A Gallery of Amherst’s Decaying Infrastructure: “Rob, that’s what I wondered straight away. But, given the money being spent planning and that everyone knows pink, or…” Sep 3, 06:42
- on Photos of the Week: A Gallery of Amherst’s Decaying Infrastructure: “These photos are so important for all of us to see. Almost all residents, myself included, have no access to…” Sep 2, 21:20
- on What’s Law Got to Do With It? How Amherst’s Disregard of Historic Preservation Law Has Already Forfeited $1,800,000 and Jeopardizes Millions More in Federal Grants : “According to the FY25 budget, Amherst pays more than $120,000 a year for legal services. Why haven’t its well-paid attorneys,…” Sep 2, 14:32
- on ZBA Gets Legal Advice on Solar Permitting: “There is a large error in solar array output in the statement attributed to Murray. A one-acre solar array would…” Sep 2, 09:15
- on Photos of the Week: A Gallery of Amherst’s Decaying Infrastructure: “Unfortunately “painting the sails” is not merely figurative: according to a presentation by the landscape architects at a recent AHC…” Sep 2, 01:11
- on Letter: Jones Library Building Committee A.W.O.L While Building Project Spirals: “Perhaps these exploding expenses are mere chump change* when viewed from the proper** perspective? *https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chump%20change **https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chump https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/42103542 https://acvoice.wordpress.com/2014/07/06/the-unbearable-whiteness-of-amherst-college/” Sep 2, 00:51
- on Letter: Jones Library Building Committee A.W.O.L While Building Project Spirals: “Thank you, Maria, for raising the issue of Town Council’s fiduciary duty to consider the still-daunting costs of this “Value…” Sep 1, 21:27
- on Photos of the Week: A Gallery of Amherst’s Decaying Infrastructure: “Speaking of University Drive …. I had the bad luck to hit a large deer after Thanksgiving last year, just…” Sep 1, 21:05
- on What’s Law Got to Do With It? How Amherst’s Disregard of Historic Preservation Law Has Already Forfeited $1,800,000 and Jeopardizes Millions More in Federal Grants : “How naive were we 5± years ago?! It was interesting to look back and see how the very first news…” Sep 1, 00:53
- on Amherst’s Neighboring Towns: Shutesbury : “If you like maps and find them a useful source of information about the small towns around Amherst, Ward Maps…” Aug 31, 20:08
- on Photos of the Week: A Gallery of Amherst’s Decaying Infrastructure: “It should be noted for those unaware…as with the Fire Station, the spaces shown and many others inside the DPW…” Aug 31, 19:32
- on Petition Urges Town Council To Pivot to Affordable Alternative to Costly Jones Library Demolition/Expansion Project: “Every week brings more evidence that the Library Project is being pushed through at all costs. Opposition to this overbuilt,…” Aug 31, 19:30
- on Library Project Gets by Historical Review with a Little Help from Its Friends: “To paraphrase Upton Sinclair: It is difficult to get a liaison to advise reconsidering something when his salary depends upon…” Aug 31, 19:27
- on Photos of the Week: A Gallery of Amherst’s Decaying Infrastructure: “Has anyone ever heard the metaphor, “The ship is sinking and they are painting the sails”? Perhaps this applies to…” Aug 31, 18:36
- on Photos of the Week: A Gallery of Amherst’s Decaying Infrastructure: “What, no photo of degraded University Avenue from Amity Street southward? How about all the treeless sidewalk cutouts on North…” Aug 31, 17:19
- on Photos of the Week: A Gallery of Amherst’s Decaying Infrastructure: “It always amazes me how those who put their lives on the line (even those who routinely handle the dangerous…” Aug 31, 15:30
- on Library Project Gets by Historical Review with a Little Help from Its Friends: “It was obvious that the liaison’s message had significant influence on the AHC vote outcome this week. Members quickly stopped…” Aug 31, 15:27
- on Cheaper and Greener Energy – Coming Soon: “The town will offer listening sessions for the public on Sept. 9, 10 and 26. See this link for more…” Aug 31, 14:47
- on Library Project Gets by Historical Review with a Little Help from Its Friends: “Sarah’s comment reminds me of a similar situation back in the early 2000s, when a former Planning Director presented an…” Aug 31, 14:22
- on Library Project Gets by Historical Review with a Little Help from Its Friends: “OMG! Just what I was wondering about the other night but, sadly, did not articulate well during public comment. For…” Aug 31, 13:48
- on Photos of the Week: A Gallery of Amherst’s Decaying Infrastructure: “Fire fighters literally put their lives on the line with every 911 response. My daughter is a rescue paramedic with…” Aug 31, 12:49
- on ZBA Denies Permit for Nonowner-Occupied Duplex on Chestnut Street: “The applicant’s opponents have won a very short-term victory. The new zoning exemption (G.L. c. 40A, § 3(11)) for by-right,…” Aug 31, 12:39
- on Library Project Gets by Historical Review with a Little Help from Its Friends: “It makes excellent sense for each Town of Amherst board, commission, and committee to depute a single representative to request…” Aug 31, 10:23
- on What’s Law Got to Do With It? How Amherst’s Disregard of Historic Preservation Law Has Already Forfeited $1,800,000 and Jeopardizes Millions More in Federal Grants : “Good article, Rob, but it applies to grants from the federal government only. As to those, generally a misrepresentation must…” Aug 31, 10:07
- on Photos of the Week: A Gallery of Amherst’s Decaying Infrastructure: “Brilliant! “A picture is worth a thousand words.”” Aug 31, 09:09
- on Library Project Gets by Historical Review with a Little Help from Its Friends: “The AHC allowed the book drop in the stone facade of the original 1928 bulding to be kept, because “it…” Aug 31, 07:15
- on Chancellor Issues Statement on Free Speech, Justice, and Democracy at UMass: “So UMass’s initiatives includes dialogues, dialogues, dialogues, dialogues, more dialogues, and conversations about how genocide supporters, genocide opponents, and genocide…” Aug 31, 06:42
- on What’s Law Got to Do With It? How Amherst’s Disregard of Historic Preservation Law Has Already Forfeited $1,800,000 and Jeopardizes Millions More in Federal Grants : “How egregious must the misrepresentations be before a grant application might fall under this rubric? https://www.grants.gov/learn-grants/grant-fraud/grant-fraud-responsibilities.html” Aug 31, 03:44
- on What’s Law Got to Do With It? How Amherst’s Disregard of Historic Preservation Law Has Already Forfeited $1,800,000 and Jeopardizes Millions More in Federal Grants : “Sarah, Thank you for this step by step, comprehensive explanation of the law and how and where proponents of the…” Aug 30, 17:13
- on Regional School Committee Hears ABCs of Budgeting: “While surprising to learn the new superintendent didn’t answer the question about the ARMS world language program, the answer is:…” Aug 30, 02:42
- on Town of Amherst Will Host Public Workshops for Downtown Design Standards: “I hope there will be a community survey in addition to the in person visioning session, which is unlikely to…” Aug 29, 16:15
- on UMass Drops Request for Felony Charges Against Palestine Protestors: ““The students were set to have a hearing before the Eastern Hampshire District Court’s clerk magistrate later this week —…” Aug 29, 00:13
- on Chancellor Issues Statement on Free Speech, Justice, and Democracy at UMass: “Some of the offerings seem like a really great opportunity to include the greater community, including those who were arrested.…” Aug 28, 21:31
- on Letter: Embodied Carbon in Jones Library Demolition Debris Undermines Town’s Climate Action Goals: “I did an independent, back of a postage-stamp calculation: embodied CO2 in concrete and steel is between 1/2 and 2…” Aug 28, 19:37
- on Letter: Embodied Carbon in Jones Library Demolition Debris Undermines Town’s Climate Action Goals: “Recalling Carl Elefante’s assertion that the greenest building is the one that is already built, https://carlelefante.com/insights/the-greenest-building-is/ the Indy asked the…” Aug 28, 18:40
- on Searching for Curves in Amherst’s Architecture: “Here is a great image of the horse barn and other related structures from Digital Amherst/Jones Library, Special Collections, around…” Aug 28, 17:45
- on Letter: Critical Information Was Withheld from Amherst Historic Commission: “A further review of the packet of information provided to the AHC by the design team for their Sept and…” Aug 28, 08:37
- on Letter: Local Historical Commission Obligated to Consider State Guidance: “Ou, ou, (hand raised), I know… (And let us not dismiss those who supported that president regardless).” Aug 28, 08:33
- on Letter: Local Historical Commission Obligated to Consider State Guidance: “David Frost interviewed Richard Nixon in 1977. Do recent developments in the Jones Library demolition/expansion project remind anyone of the…” Aug 28, 01:48
- on Letter: Critical Information Was Withheld from Amherst Historic Commission: “Belated thanks, Maria, for this masterful treatment of a sorry civic SNAFU! The residents of Amherst deserve better.” Aug 27, 07:49
- on Amherst Historic Commission Rejects State Guidance on Jones Expansion: “This meeting of the Amherst Historical Commission was, I think, the most depressing public meeting I have attended in my…” Aug 26, 16:50
- on Letter: Amherst Zoning Restrictions on Accessory Dwellings Are Now Illegal: “Ira, I generally agree with you. However, my experience over the last 3-4 years of keeping a close eye on…” Aug 25, 13:07
- on Photo of the Week: “With Love” Community Celebration: “Thank you for these wonderful pictures. And thank you for keeping the spirit of Ray Eliott alive in Amherst.” Aug 25, 08:19
- on Amherst’s Neighboring Towns: Shutesbury : “In 2011 Shutesbury celebrated its 250th anniversary as a town. A number of finding aids were created at this time…” Aug 24, 21:03
- on Letter: Amherst Zoning Restrictions on Accessory Dwellings Are Now Illegal: “House prices are extremely high in all towns. If single family homes in Amherst are higher than average (though I…” Aug 24, 18:28
- on The Selling of the Jones Library Project in 12 Quotes: “Re: the removal of the Pope-Kinsey Garden on the building’s north side. There were several comments made at Thursday night’s…” Aug 24, 13:54
- on Photo of the Week: “With Love” Community Celebration: “What a wonderful event! I am sorry I missed it, but love the glow that I feel from the photos.…” Aug 24, 11:52
- on The Selling of the Jones Library Project in 12 Quotes: “Regarding the Kinsey Garden, since it was referenced here (item 9) and Thursday night by the library director describing the…” Aug 24, 11:09
- on Traffic Alert: UMass Move-in Begins August 26: “Traffic will also be a big mess because of a big road project just east of Cumberland Farms on Belchertown…” Aug 24, 10:55
- on Town Initiates Section 106 Historic Preservation Review for Jones Library Expansion: “And I forgot to mention that those letters were received prior to votes taken by Town officials and committees regarding…” Aug 24, 10:03
- on Public Comment: Protect the Architectural Integrity of the 1928 Jones Library Building: “In her public comment presented at the Amherst Historical Commission meetings on August 22, 2024, Mickey Rathbun said the following:…” Aug 24, 09:47
- on Town Manager Proposes Commission on Traffic and Parking: “Did I miss something? Some major roads in Amherst are in sorely in need of resurfacing. I’m thinking of University…” Aug 24, 08:12
- on Letter: Amherst Zoning Restrictions on Accessory Dwellings Are Now Illegal: “On the one hand, experience shows that fears of undergraduate student tenants destroying the peace and quiet of Amherst neighborhoods…” Aug 24, 07:56
- on Town Initiates Section 106 Historic Preservation Review for Jones Library Expansion: “Oh Janet, there are so many questions, most of which have been asked though not many answered. For example, why…” Aug 23, 21:10
- on The Selling of the Jones Library Project in 12 Quotes: “Oh, I see, it’s because of the people who disagree with the proposed project. Interesting… I thought it was the…” Aug 23, 15:04
- on Amherst History Month By Month: Town Center Shops, Offices, Restaurants, Businesses. Part 2: Bookshops and Book Culture: “I am very happy that Indy readers are slowly but surely adding to the list of bookstores I mentioned in…” Aug 23, 12:41
- on Town Initiates Section 106 Historic Preservation Review for Jones Library Expansion: “The 1928 Jones Library is on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places. Consequently, there are legal restrictions…” Aug 23, 11:23
- on The Selling of the Jones Library Project in 12 Quotes: “Arlie, I’m not aware of anyone that is against replacing the entire HVAC system at the Jones. Certainly, it is…” Aug 23, 10:10
- on Town Initiates Section 106 Historic Preservation Review for Jones Library Expansion: “Any clue as to why this legal review is happening at the end and not much earlier in the process?…” Aug 23, 09:39
- on Waste Reduction Bylaw Vote Delayed as Hauler Attempts to Organize Landlord Resistance: ““Hi Darcy, as you highlighted, I am approaching this from the lens of a homeowner and property manager. We do…” Aug 22, 18:02
- on Letter: Amherst Zoning Restrictions on Accessory Dwellings Are Now Illegal: “ADUs have been allowed by right in Amherst for a long time, but it required that either building be owner…” Aug 22, 15:12
- on The Selling of the Jones Library Project in 12 Quotes: “And just to respond to Steven Nelson’s comment. Why has the HVAC repair been delayed for so long. Modern heat…” Aug 22, 14:17
- on Letter: Amherst Zoning Restrictions on Accessory Dwellings Are Now Illegal: ““That means ANY rented single family dwelling in a single family residential zoning district in Amherst is now entitled to…” Aug 22, 14:04
- on Letter: Amherst Zoning Restrictions on Accessory Dwellings Are Now Illegal: “The new law goes into effect in February. Amherst planners are working to revise the bylaw to conform with the…” Aug 22, 10:54
- on The Selling of the Jones Library Project in 12 Quotes: “Just to respond to Dan Wallack’s comment about the “dirt” on the Jones atrium glass. This is not due to…” Aug 21, 15:20
- on Amherst History Month By Month: Town Center Shops, Offices, Restaurants, Businesses. Part 2: Bookshops and Book Culture: “I can no longer find my copy of the late Ruth Backes’ book about the nine downtown bookshops that made…” Aug 21, 14:33
- on Amherst History Month By Month: Town Center Shops, Offices, Restaurants, Businesses. Part 2: Bookshops and Book Culture: “A quick note that the Eric Carle Museum has a children’s bookshop with lots of great titles. (The museum also…” Aug 21, 12:23
- on Waste Reduction Bylaw Vote Delayed as Hauler Attempts to Organize Landlord Resistance: “I appreciate the feedback from both of you, thank you for the response. Hi Darcy, as you highlighted, I am…” Aug 21, 10:37
- on Amherst History Month By Month: Town Center Shops, Offices, Restaurants, Businesses. Part 2: Bookshops and Book Culture: “I was disappointed to see no mention of White Light Bookstore in your discussion of Amherst book stores, though I…” Aug 20, 17:07
- on Waste Reduction Bylaw Vote Delayed as Hauler Attempts to Organize Landlord Resistance: “I think muncipal garbage and compost collection is established and working well in many communities. I welcome it. This young…” Aug 20, 10:38
- on State Findings Loom Large for Library Project Historic Preservation Hearings: “Here’s a simple question: What’s it called when an organization, such as elected and appointed municipal officials, as well as…” Aug 20, 01:04
- on Waste Reduction Bylaw Vote Delayed as Hauler Attempts to Organize Landlord Resistance: “I would just like to point out that Mr. Crossman works at Kamin’s Real Estate and is owner/operator of Crossman…” Aug 19, 23:37
- on Waste Reduction Bylaw Vote Delayed as Hauler Attempts to Organize Landlord Resistance: “Can someone help me understand why moving compost/biodegradable waste, from a house that has space for landscaping debris/compost section, how…” Aug 19, 15:15
- on Updated Affordable Housing Plan in the Works: “I’m concerned about the input from the community into this plan. When I see: “Housing Coordinator Greg Richane has reached…” Aug 18, 15:05
- on Amherst’s Neighboring Towns: Shutesbury : “Thank you, Dr DeFant: I cite this report in this article. It was very helpful to me. I am sure…” Aug 18, 14:02
- on Amherst’s Neighboring Towns: Shutesbury : “The origins of Roadtown, as Shutesbury was originally known, are complex. For more information about what is known about Indigenous…” Aug 18, 11:00
- on Waste Reduction Bylaw Vote Delayed as Hauler Attempts to Organize Landlord Resistance: “One thing at a time, all steps toward an even better program. Results? no slaking of this 1 man’s frustration.…” Aug 18, 09:09
- on State Findings Loom Large for Library Project Historic Preservation Hearings: “Legal requirements aside, anyone wondering why it is important to protect the Jones Library’s historic facade, its Buckingham Slate roof…” Aug 18, 07:58
- on Dismay at Town’s Alleged Foot Dragging on Social Justice Projects: “The majority of the council is not behind their stated commitment to using a climate and equity lens in all…” Aug 17, 18:30
- on State Findings Loom Large for Library Project Historic Preservation Hearings: “The world would be a desolate place if everyone adopted Margaret Sawyer’s attitude towards preserving historic buildings.” Aug 17, 18:02
- on Dismay at Town’s Alleged Foot Dragging on Social Justice Projects: “no surprises here, 4 years after the George Floyd murder, community interest rise, outpouring of community energy, little has occurred.…” Aug 17, 17:59