- Hilda Greenbaum on Walker’s Pleas To Ease Taxpayer Burden Of School Override Fall On Deaf Ears: “How does Mr. Kubiak figure $0.23/day/household for school debt? Before Covid $470 paid for a month of food but now…” Mar 26, 18:40
- on Library Leaders Disagree On Aiding Schools, Viability Of Building Project: “I find Mr. Blumenfeld’s continued insistence on the significance of this 65% of voters in favor of the library project…” Mar 26, 14:36
- on Library Leaders Disagree On Aiding Schools, Viability Of Building Project: “I would like concrete examples from Mr. Blumenfeld of where and how the historical structure will be “made better.” I…” Mar 26, 13:03
- on Library Leaders Disagree On Aiding Schools, Viability Of Building Project: “Ira, with all due respect, I have never hidden the fact that FDA is happily, proudly and efficiently working for…” Mar 26, 12:33
- on Library Leaders Disagree On Aiding Schools, Viability Of Building Project: “Since my name was mentioned in a previous post above, I will chime in with a few, I feel, cogent…” Mar 26, 11:48
- on Library Leaders Disagree On Aiding Schools, Viability Of Building Project: “Matt: My plan is a rough sketch of how to deal with the problem that your plan has created. Your…” Mar 26, 05:55
- on Library Leaders Disagree On Aiding Schools, Viability Of Building Project: “Just in case anyone wishes to venture a guess: https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/blood-types.html On a more serious note: As a matter of good…” Mar 25, 22:29
- on Opinion: When We Talk About Austerity In Amherst, The Jones Library Expansion Project Is The Elephant The Room: “Thank you Art. Perfectly put. Add limited public health infrastructure to the list of underfunded departments. Hope we do not…” Mar 25, 21:35
- on Opinion: When We Talk About Austerity In Amherst, The Jones Library Expansion Project Is The Elephant The Room: “Thank-you, Art Keene, for so eloquently articulating what many of the TAXPAYING townspeople of Amherst are thinking! So many of…” Mar 25, 18:46
- on Library Leaders Disagree On Aiding Schools, Viability Of Building Project: “Thank you Ira for answering the questions. I applaud you for your responding. Your answers were great but lacked any…” Mar 25, 17:37
- on Second Neighborhood Night Walk In District 4 Explores Pedestrian Safety: “Thank you, this is a start, which must be extended to other areas of Town. Very important would be revising…” Mar 25, 15:20
- on Library Leaders Disagree On Aiding Schools, Viability Of Building Project: “In my view as a past Trustee President, the Town and Trustees are flirting with financial disaster as to the…” Mar 25, 13:06
- on Library Leaders Disagree On Aiding Schools, Viability Of Building Project: “Our beloved, historic 1928 Jones Library is on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places. Historic preservation law…” Mar 25, 12:52
- on APEA Urges Voters To Sit Out School Override Until Contract Is Settled: “The educators in this town will destroy their own best interests by holding the new school hostage to achieve their…” Mar 25, 12:22
- on Library Leaders Disagree On Aiding Schools, Viability Of Building Project: “Thanks, Christina, for highlighting the point that Matt Blumenfeld is the head of the FDA PR Marketing firm hired by…” Mar 25, 12:09
- on Walker’s Pleas To Ease Taxpayer Burden Of School Override Fall On Deaf Ears: “Elisha Walker’s comment are a welcome alternate perspective. I appreciate her serving and being willing to speak out on difficult…” Mar 25, 10:44
- on Library Leaders Disagree On Aiding Schools, Viability Of Building Project: “Matt: Since you asked, I will share my answers: Q: How long do you think it would take to create…” Mar 25, 06:23
- on Camus And The Town Council: “Michael, Thank you for your thoughts on language and vocabulary. It resurrected for me two pieces I read on the…” Mar 24, 23:07
- on Library Leaders Disagree On Aiding Schools, Viability Of Building Project: “Darcy is incorrect about the bond issue. And I again appeal to you Jeff, Christina, Ken, Art and other who…” Mar 24, 22:41
- on APEA Urges Voters To Sit Out School Override Until Contract Is Settled: “Well put Toni. I agree. This override needs to pass for the students, the town, the teachers and the earth.…” Mar 24, 18:47
- on Library Leaders Disagree On Aiding Schools, Viability Of Building Project: “Matt Blumenfeld, please be honest with us. In the Amherst Indy on March 24 Christina Platt asked you: “Matt, are…” Mar 24, 18:27
- on Library Leaders Disagree On Aiding Schools, Viability Of Building Project: “Hey Matt, take a look at section 2.43 in the 2018 bylaws that were in force before the new Charter…” Mar 24, 18:06
- on APEA Urges Voters To Sit Out School Override Until Contract Is Settled: “I support APEA and their right to a fair contract AND I think this statement is a big mistake. The…” Mar 24, 17:03
- on Library Leaders Disagree On Aiding Schools, Viability Of Building Project: “Perhaps this link might provide a bit of background for readers: https://www.joneslibrary.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/07142016-261” Mar 24, 16:38
- on Library Leaders Disagree On Aiding Schools, Viability Of Building Project: “As you well know, Christina, we are not a PR firm. I am writing as a 25+ year resident and…” Mar 24, 15:08
- on Library Leaders Disagree On Aiding Schools, Viability Of Building Project: “Matt, are you and your PR firm still being paid by the library trustees to represent their interests? I remember…” Mar 24, 14:18
- on Library Leaders Disagree On Aiding Schools, Viability Of Building Project: “Darcy Dumont is incorrect about the popular vote threshold. Under the prior charter, a simple majority was required of the…” Mar 24, 11:08
- on Library Leaders Disagree On Aiding Schools, Viability Of Building Project: “I enjoy spending time working in various libraries around Western Mass, and the deferred maintenance of the Jones Library is…” Mar 24, 08:02
- on Library Leaders Disagree On Aiding Schools, Viability Of Building Project: “Thank you, Jeff, for mentioning that : The number voting “yes” did not meet the Massachusetts standard of a two-thirds…” Mar 24, 07:38
- on Library Leaders Disagree On Aiding Schools, Viability Of Building Project: “I would love for those who continue to criticize the Jones Library project by stating that an alternative plan would…” Mar 23, 22:36
- on Hanneke Continues To Seek Limits On Public Discussion: “The argument in favor of curtailing public comment is specious at best, and chilling at worst. In the Southborough case,…” Mar 23, 20:18
- on Council Torn Over Using Reserves To Help Fund New School: “Questions: if TC votes using $10 million in reserves, town staff expects to get $5 million back , right? So…” Mar 23, 19:21
- on Hanneke Continues To Seek Limits On Public Discussion: “Thank you Dan. It has become quite a worry to me that we have some elected officials, making decisions impacting…” Mar 23, 18:49
- on Hanneke Continues To Seek Limits On Public Discussion: “I just received an email alert from ACLU regarding this issue I want to share in this discussion: https://www.aclum.org/en/news/aclu-public-meetings-can-be-efficient-orderly-and-open-public-comment-after-sjc-free-speech” Mar 23, 11:14
- on Library Leaders Disagree On Aiding Schools, Viability Of Building Project: “A commenter above pointed out that “Advocacy communications like these by public employees are prohibited by the state Office of…” Mar 23, 10:22
- on Library Leaders Disagree On Aiding Schools, Viability Of Building Project: “If the Jones Library, Inc. were to somehow issue municipal bonds outside the taxing authority of the City known as…” Mar 22, 23:02
- on Library Leaders Disagree On Aiding Schools, Viability Of Building Project: “Those who voted for the library will not get the design they were promised nor will the modified design be…” Mar 22, 19:21
- on Library Leaders Disagree On Aiding Schools, Viability Of Building Project: “One could call this number an “impressive majority” within the specific context of those who voted on this project. But…” Mar 22, 19:12
- on Library Leaders Disagree On Aiding Schools, Viability Of Building Project: ““That’s an impressive majority.” 1.) How many were in the upper income levels of those that voted? “The fact is…” Mar 22, 19:03
- on Opinion: On Duplexes And Amherst: “It is clear that Amherst has a housing problem. The price of its homes moves more and more out of…” Mar 22, 16:12
- on Library Leaders Disagree On Aiding Schools, Viability Of Building Project: “The fact is that 65% of the voters who chose to vote, did vote in favor of the project. That’s…” Mar 22, 14:09
- on Library Leaders Disagree On Aiding Schools, Viability Of Building Project: “Not only did fewer than a third of the town’s voters participate in the November 2021 referendum, but the public…” Mar 22, 11:22
- on Opinion: What It Means When Amherst Teachers Work To Rule: “Thank you for taking the time to educate the reading public about this very important issue. We support our Amherst…” Mar 22, 10:19
- on Letter: Retired Teacher Questions The Integrity Of Hiring Processes In Amherst Public Schools: “Toni, I got the exact same response when I asked about who was on the committee for the principal search.…” Mar 22, 09:18
- on Library Leaders Disagree On Aiding Schools, Viability Of Building Project: “The current March 19th Jones Library Building Project Newsletter contains the following misleading reason that the Trustees insist on staying…” Mar 22, 08:26
- on Opinion: On Duplexes And Amherst: “Mr. McBride is incorrect. With all the construction of student dorms that is taking place, rents have gone up, not…” Mar 22, 07:00
- on Amherst’s Long-serving Police Chief Announces Retirement: “I don’t know the whole story on Livingston. One thing I DO know about him is I approached him several…” Mar 21, 19:29
- on Opinion: On Duplexes And Amherst: “Babaret is incorrect. Amherst is an extremely expensive place to live. We have burned all our bridges in terms of…” Mar 21, 17:42
- on Issues & Analyses: Generation Ratify Amherst Explores Town’s Gender Pay Gap: “I am so deeply appreciative to the members of Generation Ratify Amherst, who did this work. (And, to The Graphic,…” Mar 20, 20:33
- on League of Women Voters Seeks Respondents For Survey On Town Charter: “I would happily sign a petition to bring back town meeting, even with a smaller number of representatives. When could…” Mar 20, 20:14
- on Opinion: Amherst/Pelham Educators And Staff Are Valued: “Meanwhile, many employees who “work” beyond their scheduled 37.5 hours a week receive time and a half (some with a…” Mar 19, 19:55
- on Library Leaders Disagree On Aiding Schools, Viability Of Building Project: “I question the veracity of the continued assertion that the town is only on the hook for $15.8 million for…” Mar 19, 16:37
- on Opinion: Amherst/Pelham Educators And Staff Are Valued: “For those who are wondering how teacher salaries compare with what other employees of the town of Amherst receive, here…” Mar 19, 14:45
- on League of Women Voters Seeks Respondents For Survey On Town Charter: “Your rigorous legal analysis of the new Amherst Home Rule Charter’s dubious constitutionality makes a lot of sense, Sarah. What…” Mar 19, 11:28
- on Hanneke Continues To Seek Limits On Public Discussion: “It appears that the public may have a better grasp of the proper use of the consent agenda than this…” Mar 19, 11:07
- on Hanneke Continues To Seek Limits On Public Discussion: “In other words, the person most responsible for Council and Committee meetings running so long is outraged about Council and…” Mar 19, 06:23
- on Opinion: Amherst/Pelham Educators And Staff Are Valued: “Thank you, Toni, for explaining the distinction between the library and town budgets and pointing out how town government regularly…” Mar 19, 02:37
- on Indy Adopts New Policies On Attribution: “This sounds like an excellent policy. The Indy continues to implement the highest standards of integrity and transparency. Thanks! Meg…” Mar 18, 21:33
- on League of Women Voters Seeks Respondents For Survey On Town Charter: “Hilda, We would gladly sign that petition, and this time ensure that one of our signatures would not rejected for…” Mar 18, 19:40
- on League of Women Voters Seeks Respondents For Survey On Town Charter: “My comments on the questionnaire were strongly negative. I have been trying to find suitable candidates to run for the…” Mar 18, 18:23
- on Hampshire College Offers Admission To All Students At New College Of Florida: “To what Rob writes, absolutely! It is the most imaginative and practical help that the New College students could receive.…” Mar 18, 13:26
- on League of Women Voters Seeks Respondents For Survey On Town Charter: “Kudos to the League of Women Voters for requesting Amherst residents’ feedback on our current Home Rule Charter! Here’s the…” Mar 18, 12:33
- on Hanneke Continues To Seek Limits On Public Discussion: “Councilor Hanneke’s relentless efforts to curtail public comment, putatively over her concern that it is responsible for the unwieldy length…” Mar 18, 11:09
- on Letter: Police Chief’s Retirement Is A Moment Of Opportunity For Amherst: “In the last 50 years there have been only 3 Amherst police chiefs, each having been an understudy of the…” Mar 18, 11:02
- on Hampshire College Offers Admission To All Students At New College Of Florida: “Having just returned from a visit with my first PhD student — a Hampshire grad, who’s now a professor of…” Mar 18, 09:55
- on Letter: Police Chief’s Retirement Is A Moment Of Opportunity For Amherst: “Amherst will be fortunate to find a new police chief as capable as Scott Livingstone.” Mar 18, 09:52
- on Photo Of The Week: After The Nor’easter. A Gallery By Sara Barber-Just: “These are beautiful!” Mar 18, 09:49
- on GZA Study: One Third Of Land In Amherst Can Support Solar Development: “Developing the remaining forests and meadows with solar projects will compromise the “protected” (wetland and APR) areas in the same…” Mar 18, 09:36
- on Opinion: Amherst/Pelham Educators And Staff Are Valued: “I’m wanting to take a step back here to see the bigger picture. Let’s remember that investing in educators is…” Mar 17, 22:21
- on School Committee Hears Robust Public Comment On FY24 Budget. Strong Opposition To Staffing Cuts: “With all the controversy about limiting public comments at Town Council meeting, it was refreshing to see the patience with…” Mar 17, 21:30
- on Letter: Retired Teacher Questions The Integrity Of Hiring Processes In Amherst Public Schools: “Toni: The email answer you got is very disheartening. I did not put my name forward for the MS Principal…” Mar 17, 13:54
- on Letter: Retired Teacher Questions The Integrity Of Hiring Processes In Amherst Public Schools: “Does anyone know if this same hiring practice is in place right now for the Middle School and Wildwood Principal…” Mar 17, 10:38
- on Opinion: Amherst/Pelham Educators And Staff Are Valued: “The average salary of all school employees, teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, janitors, the superintendent, etc is $56,500. I would the highest…” Mar 17, 08:44
- on Opinion: Amherst/Pelham Educators And Staff Are Valued: “Yes Jeff, if there were any savings on utility costs at the Jones then they would go to the library…” Mar 16, 15:16
- on Opinion: Amherst/Pelham Educators And Staff Are Valued: “True, Laura, that the Jones Library would benefit from sustainability improvements. But much better to avoid adding 15,000 sq. ft.…” Mar 16, 11:03
- on Opinion: Amherst/Pelham Educators And Staff Are Valued: “The library is a failing building that will cost more than 15 million to repair at a minimal level -…” Mar 15, 22:10
- on Opinion: Amherst/Pelham Educators And Staff Are Valued: “Yes, Jeff Lee! 100% agree!!!! “The School Committee should urge the Town Council to rescind the $35.3 million borrowing authorization…” Mar 13, 14:04
- on Letter: Too Many Unanswered Questions Concerning Proposed Zoning Bylaw: “At one meeting …Town Council Council members were stating that UMASS needed to provide housing for its students. Now about…” Mar 13, 00:19
- on Letter: The Jones Library Should Go To School: “As I commented in a reponse to an earlier issue, it appears the trustees did not pay attention to the…” Mar 12, 23:57
- on ZBA Approves Construction Of Two Family Home On West Street: “I absolutely agree with the 3 comments above. Why, if the petitioner has not abided by his permit stipulations, is…” Mar 12, 23:16
- on Regional Schools Facing A Difficult Budget Year: “Great question, John. Many, many towns across the state are facing this same challenge, and many are facing even larger…” Mar 12, 14:21
- on Opinion: Amherst/Pelham Educators And Staff Are Valued: “The figures about “Average Salary” for teachers do come from the DESE website (profiles.doe.mass.edu), and it is a straight calculation…” Mar 12, 13:59
- on Letter: The Jones Library Should Go To School: “David, you have touched on the root of the Jones Library demolition-expansion debacle — Amherst College “only the best” values…” Mar 12, 12:56
- on Opinion: Amherst/Pelham Educators And Staff Are Valued: “I can confirm where this “average $85,000” number comes from, and why it is false. This “average salary” statistic comes…” Mar 12, 12:51
- on Regional Schools Facing A Difficult Budget Year: “Thanks, Maura, for excellent, detailed reporting on the School Committee meetings, as well as the Town positions on their school…” Mar 12, 12:33
- on ZBA Approves Construction Of Two Family Home On West Street: “This is another reason why permitting should not be eased for development of non-owner occupied multifamily housing. Even the current…” Mar 12, 12:29
- on ZBA Approves Construction Of Two Family Home On West Street: “Second! James Murphy” Mar 12, 10:50
- on Opinion: Amherst/Pelham Educators And Staff Are Valued: “You need to stop saying that Amherst teachers average $85,000 a year. I don’t know where you found that statistic,…” Mar 11, 20:46
- on Photo Of The Week: Two Moonlit Views From Bare Mountain by Vira Douangmany Cage: “Beautiful!! Thanks for sharing. Tracy Zafian” Mar 11, 17:15
- on Letter: The Jones Library Should Go To School: “Yesterday, the NYTs wrote a long article about how Valaparaiso University in Indiana has decided to sell off a painting…” Mar 11, 14:41
- on Opinion: Amherst/Pelham Educators And Staff Are Valued: “I don’t envy your position, Ben, but there is a simple step that the School Committee can take. Join the…” Mar 11, 12:16
- on Finance Committee Wary Of Using Reserves To Reduce Amount Of Debt Exclusion Override: “The Town has been discussing a South Amherst fire station since the North station was built in 1976! How is…” Mar 11, 11:45
- on Regional Schools Facing A Difficult Budget Year: “Thank you for this detailed account of the Amherst and Regional School Committee meetings. There are a couple of points…” Mar 11, 09:12
- on ZBA Approves Construction Of Two Family Home On West Street: “I make a motion that if a student landlord wants a special permit, but when granted one previously: • conditions…” Mar 11, 08:40
- on Age & Dementia-friendly Community Survey Produces Recommendations For Community Action Plan: “Seniors need money to keep their homes up and help with chores—and college students need affordable housing. What about a…” Mar 10, 18:34
- on Hitchcock Center Guide To Annual Spotted Salamander Migration: “This brings back such wonderful memories! When we first moved to Cushman there were no tunnels, but there were a…” Mar 10, 16:34
- on Amherst History Month-by-Month: Amherst’s Green Places: “The wonderful (but rather low res) photograph used as a thumbnail for this article of town common in c. 1903…” Mar 10, 10:19