- Ken Mattoon on Massachusetts Bans Purchase of Single Use Plastic Bottles: “So now water will be sold in glass bottles and instead of having plastic bottles on our roadways we will…” Sep 20, 10:32
- on Jones Library Plans Celebrity Fundraising Event While Measuring Capital Campaign Progress: “I fully understand the skepticism, because, for so many years, it has ruled here in Amherst. My wife and I…” Sep 20, 08:28
- on Letter: Law Mandates Protection Of Jones Library’s Invaluable Historic Features: “My late neighbors, Lee and Margaret Holt, recommended engaging with https://ruckus.org/ when things get this bad….” Sep 19, 22:00
- on Letter: Law Mandates Protection Of Jones Library’s Invaluable Historic Features: “Thank you, Sarah, for reminding us that that the preservation of registered historical properties is subject to state laws. If…” Sep 19, 17:19
- on Social Justice Committee Voices Dismay At The State Of CRESS: “CRESS and the CSSJC held a listening session back in March during which the work to that point was outlined.…” Sep 19, 13:32
- on Social Justice Committee Voices Dismay At The State Of CRESS: “I am saddened to read of the passing of Dee Shabazz. Sincere condolences to her family and friends. CRESS needs…” Sep 19, 09:24
- on Letter: Law Mandates Protection Of Jones Library’s Invaluable Historic Features: “If we’re going to call for the preservation of facets of architects Plimpton and Cox’s work then we should do…” Sep 19, 07:22
- on Stalled Hickory Ridge Solar Project September Update: “March 22, 2022, The Reminder: “Amherst finalizes Hickory Ridge sale, master planning to begin” Amp Energy has plans to acquire…” Sep 18, 23:23
- on Stalled Hickory Ridge Solar Project September Update: “A December 29, 2022 article in the Gazette quotes Dave Ziomek saying that AMP/PureSky will be providing the town with…” Sep 18, 21:24
- on Stalled Hickory Ridge Solar Project September Update: “I believe Amherst ends up with $50,000 in PILOT payments annually for the project but I’m not sure where that…” Sep 18, 20:33
- on Stalled Hickory Ridge Solar Project September Update: “This is the original announcement by the town of Amherst about the Hickory Ridge project: https://www.amherstma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3286&ARC=6362 Although the announcement never…” Sep 18, 15:18
- on Stalled Hickory Ridge Solar Project September Update: “If the Hickory Ridge Solar Project is ever completed, the energy it produces will be added to the grid and…” Sep 18, 13:44
- on Social Justice Committee Voices Dismay At The State Of CRESS: “One measure of CRESS’s effectiveness could be what it has accomplished to date with allotted resources that I suggest have…” Sep 17, 18:46
- on Stalled Hickory Ridge Solar Project September Update: “Dear Smart Solar Allies, We’re contacting you now for your support at a critical juncture. If you want to protect…” Sep 17, 10:17
- on Social Justice Committee Voices Dismay At The State Of CRESS: “I agree with Lisa F. It was interesting to hear about the work with the high school students. Is there…” Sep 17, 08:55
- on Social Justice Committee Voices Dismay At The State Of CRESS: “I am wondering when we will learn what CRESS has accomplished. The town has invested a tremendous amount of money…” Sep 17, 06:20
- on Letter: They Paved Paradise And Put Up Solar?: “Interesting point about caring for scenic views, Nina — agreed! As you may know, the Union Pacific Railroad’s cut through…” Sep 16, 21:23
- on Bahl-Milne Introduces Outreach Tool For New Legislation. Hauler Reform And Safety Zone Proposals Move Forward: “I’m very happy that the request for information to trash haulers was sent out. Having the town contract for trash…” Sep 16, 20:34
- on Stalled Hickory Ridge Solar Project September Update: “Here are the basics (not to mention the tax incentives) of a Power Purchase Agreement: In a PPA, a solar…” Sep 16, 15:09
- on Letter: They Paved Paradise And Put Up Solar?: “One can also calculate the reduced cost of snow plowing and fewer accidents due to driving rain and buildup of…” Sep 16, 12:55
- on Two Amherst Architects And Their Impact Around Town: “Bruce has also ably led North Amherst Community Farm (the 501c3 non-profit which hosts Simple Gifts Farm) for the past…” Sep 16, 11:53
- on Stalled Hickory Ridge Solar Project September Update: “Physically speaking: it goes everywhere (at the speed of light in the wires/waveguides). Financially speaking: perhaps Springfield has contracted to…” Sep 16, 11:18
- on Stalled Hickory Ridge Solar Project September Update: “Electrons (i.e. electricity) does not have a “home.” It flows into the grid and contributes to supply. Springfield is presumably…” Sep 16, 11:12
- on Jones Library Plans Celebrity Fundraising Event While Measuring Capital Campaign Progress: “Professional actors are on strike and need all the work they can get…. Perhaps this animated actor who’s not on…” Sep 16, 11:02
- on Opinion: Stop Idling Your Car! : “Great letter, Jesse and Alex! One comment about CO production: cold internal combustion engines produce a much higher ratio of…” Sep 16, 10:46
- on UMass Partnering With Indigenous Communities To Launch $30M NSF Center For Braiding Indigenous Knowledges And Science: “Been saying for so long, Braiding Sweegrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer needs be required reading or listening . Weaves tradition…” Sep 16, 08:36
- on Stalled Hickory Ridge Solar Project September Update: “It is surprising to learn that electricity generated by the Hickory Ridge solar array on town-owned property will be used…” Sep 16, 08:30
- on Regional School Committee Failed To Address Earlier OML Concern, This One By Then Chair Herrington: “Well, as Janet McGowan & Marylou Theilman noted above, if someone wants finality on the issue, they can file an…” Sep 15, 23:20
- on Jones Library Plans Celebrity Fundraising Event While Measuring Capital Campaign Progress: “Of the total “raised” thus far, the majority of funds have come from government grants (64%). One can likely safely…” Sep 15, 23:02
- on Letter: Law Mandates Protection Of Jones Library’s Invaluable Historic Features: “In a spirit of full disclosure, may I add that, at the close of public comment last night at the…” Sep 15, 13:08
- on Indy Rewind: Got Invasive Jumping Worms In Your Garden? UMass Extension Has Solutions: “I have sooooo many of these at 101 Red Gate Lane. Really depressing. And this year’s almost complete lack of…” Sep 15, 11:53
- on Updated: Second School Committee Member Resigns: “Bill Newman and Buz Eisenberg have continued their WHMP Talk The Talk inquiry into the Amherst Title IX complaint and…” Sep 14, 18:20
- on Regional School Committee Failed To Address Earlier OML Concern, This One By Then Chair Herrington: “Thank you Maria for your thorough research and information on the OML process. Very helpful. It appears that since no…” Sep 14, 16:46
- on Regional School Committee Failed To Address Earlier OML Concern, This One By Then Chair Herrington: “Reached by email, the current Chair of the RSC confirmed that to date, no OML complaint has been filed regarding…” Sep 13, 17:07
- on Letter: They Paved Paradise And Put Up Solar?: “Here, common sense and facts smash into sacred (to some) profit motives.” Sep 13, 10:30
- on Updated: Second School Committee Member Resigns: “The WHMP Talk The Talk show has aired a fourth segment on the school committee resignations featuring Progressive Coalition of…” Sep 12, 21:10
- on Plans For 2024 Charter Review Committee Take Shape : “I share Art’s concern that limiting committee membership to those with the described experience narrows the pool artificially and eliminates…” Sep 12, 14:27
- on Regional School Committee Failed To Address Earlier OML Concern, This One By Then Chair Herrington: “I appreciate the diligence and careful detail in this reporting by Maria Kopicki. These 2 emails were treated differently and…” Sep 12, 11:58
- on Regional School Committee Failed To Address Earlier OML Concern, This One By Then Chair Herrington: “Although the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General suggested a remedy for Heard’s inadvertently hitting “reply all” to her email,…” Sep 12, 10:28
- on Plans For 2024 Charter Review Committee Take Shape : “I appreciate Ms. Keene’s commitment to pure reporting, more of which the Town desperately needs.” Sep 12, 09:45
- on Plans For 2024 Charter Review Committee Take Shape : ““She proposed a nine-member committee, and that all members have relevant experience in town departments, committees, finance, or outreach.” Does…” Sep 11, 20:13
- on Design Review Board Finds D. P. Dough Sign “Jarring,” New Library Addition “Exciting”: “See the schematic at https://www.amherstindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/existing-north-elevation.jpg. The unshaded white area is the historic part of the building that is not planned…” Sep 11, 12:20
- on Letter: They Paved Paradise And Put Up Solar?: “UMass’s efforts at covering its parking lots has years ago suggested to me the notion that covering already paved and…” Sep 11, 10:22
- on Design Review Board Finds D. P. Dough Sign “Jarring,” New Library Addition “Exciting”: “Which part of the red brick is historic and which part is the 90’s extension? Marcus Smith” Sep 10, 21:02
- on Regional School Committee Failed To Address Earlier OML Concern, This One By Then Chair Herrington: “Re the comments above that “the writers and/or School Committee member can/should file an OML Complaint Form”. I could speculate…” Sep 10, 16:59
- on Opinion: Some Suggestions For Town Council Candidates About The Town’s Real Estate Woes: “A Modest Proposal: why not address these problems through real estate tax assessments? Here are some things we might try…” Sep 10, 11:03
- on Opinion: Candidates In November Election Should Not Fill Interim Vacancies On School Committee: “This is an excellent suggestion. Our town has an ample supply of school committee alumni, education authorities, and engaged parents…” Sep 10, 08:58
- on Where Is Robert Frost?: “Oh my, I love this article from way out west in norCal. Thank you, AmherstIndy!” Sep 9, 22:52
- on Design Review Board Finds D. P. Dough Sign “Jarring,” New Library Addition “Exciting”: “Once upon a time, a library was a quiet place for reading, writing, contemplation…. And now it’s supposed to be…” Sep 9, 16:04
- on Regional School Committee Failed To Address Earlier OML Concern, This One By Then Chair Herrington: “MLT is on-target here: file a formal OML Complaint. The same remedy applies if evidence emerges that a majority of…” Sep 9, 15:49
- on Regional School Committee Failed To Address Earlier OML Concern, This One By Then Chair Herrington: “The article and comments imply that Chair Herrington’s July 14, 2023, email to the School Committees questioning whether he should…” Sep 9, 11:50
- on Regional School Committee Failed To Address Earlier OML Concern, This One By Then Chair Herrington: “This looks like a flagrant violation of OML and a failure of the SC to address it over its last…” Sep 9, 08:47
- on Listening Sessions For Police Chief Search: “Good luck to both the Town and APD as they go through this process” Sep 9, 08:14
- on Amherst History Month By Month: The Outdoor Municipal Swimming Pools of Amherst: “and here: the troubled history of public swimming pools https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0g9b3r1/the-troubled-history-of-swimming-pools-in-the-us” Sep 9, 08:05
- on Plans For 2024 Charter Review Committee Take Shape : “Thanks for flagging that editorial, Ira; I really enjoyed itl & shared it widely ….” Sep 8, 23:11
- on Opinion: Some Suggestions For Town Council Candidates About The Town’s Real Estate Woes: “> I can’t imagine the frequent phone calls I get from call centers offering to buy my house are for…” Sep 8, 18:26
- on Opinion: Some Suggestions For Town Council Candidates About The Town’s Real Estate Woes: “If done well, the collective data may also be a teaching tool for student landlords, exploring the data to discover…” Sep 8, 17:09
- on Plans For 2024 Charter Review Committee Take Shape : “This might be a good time to experiment with this idea by noted business writer and professor and psychologist Adam…” Sep 8, 17:02
- on Opinion: Some Suggestions For Town Council Candidates About The Town’s Real Estate Woes: “John, for the record, am all for a data base and minimal distances, which, Newark , Delaware and State College,…” Sep 8, 16:37
- on Updated Letter: Town Needs To Be More Assertive With UMass To Resolve Student Housing Crisis: “I grew up in Mill Valley apt back when there were many families living there. I went to Crocker farm…” Sep 8, 15:55
- on Opinion: Some Suggestions For Town Council Candidates About The Town’s Real Estate Woes: “Steve: Being legally responsible and doing something about it are two different things, and rarely does Amherst hold landlords accountable,…” Sep 8, 15:20
- on Opinion: Some Suggestions For Town Council Candidates About The Town’s Real Estate Woes: “The real estate market is ultra tight in Amherst because LLCs and investors are so anxious to purchase student rental…” Sep 8, 15:17
- on Opinion: Some Suggestions For Town Council Candidates About The Town’s Real Estate Woes: “Legally, property owners are responsible for what happens on their properties, including the misbehavior of “nuisance tenants.”” Sep 8, 14:18
- on Opinion: Some Suggestions For Town Council Candidates About The Town’s Real Estate Woes: “The rent permit is a charge every year, the inspections are additional charges, and if you review the proposal there…” Sep 8, 14:07
- on Opinion: Some Suggestions For Town Council Candidates About The Town’s Real Estate Woes: “So, Mr. Crossman, landlords would net $50,000 in five years, and you believe a $500 inspection fee every 5 years…” Sep 8, 13:23
- on Opinion: Some Suggestions For Town Council Candidates About The Town’s Real Estate Woes: “This is a tremendous topic that is currently being navigated by town council and administration. If you are interested in…” Sep 8, 12:27
- on Regional School Committee Failed To Address Earlier OML Concern, This One By Then Chair Herrington: “This certainly looks like a violation of OML to me. I wish that the public had the opportunity to be…” Sep 8, 11:08
- on Opinion: Some Suggestions For Town Council Candidates About The Town’s Real Estate Woes: “Well said, John! Asking every Town Council candidate their stance on this burning issue is an excellent idea, as are…” Sep 8, 10:27
- on Opinion: Some Suggestions For Town Council Candidates About The Town’s Real Estate Woes: “Ms. Shepard, can you be more specific regarding your claims of legal jeopardy?? The remedies suggested involve re-establishing a town…” Sep 8, 08:35
- on Regional School Committee Failed To Address Earlier OML Concern, This One By Then Chair Herrington: “There was plenty of time/ opportunity before Herrington resigned to address his OML violation publicly and the fact that he…” Sep 7, 22:28
- on Opinion: Some Suggestions For Town Council Candidates About The Town’s Real Estate Woes: “Some of your suggestions could lead to a legal nightmare for the town, landlords and in the end reduce choice…” Sep 7, 20:18
- on Amherst History Month By Month: The Outdoor Municipal Swimming Pools of Amherst: “More perspective about bathing and our country, is here https://daily.jstor.org/when-americans-started-bathing/” Sep 7, 19:45
- on Letter: A Call For Better Communication: “Today’s Indy piece by Maria Kopicki about a potential OML violation by Ben Herrington in July makes it seem as…” Sep 7, 11:40
- on Peter Demling Resigns From School Committee: “Actually, Rick, I was simply offering this for the readers’ (e.g. your) consideration. I’m agnostic on the matter, and the…” Sep 7, 00:27
- on Opinion: Candidates In November Election Should Not Fill Interim Vacancies On School Committee: “This idea makes a lot of sense to me. Thanks for offering it.” Sep 6, 16:40
- on Letter: A Call For Better Communication: “Yes, the gender-neutral “ombudsperson,” or simply “ombuds,” the term that UMASS uses, are preferred words for a conflict resolution practitioner.” Sep 6, 12:23
- on Peter Demling Resigns From School Committee: ““I was not implying any strategic purpose in the third person resigning” ^ Not you Laura, Rob was: “Such strategic…” Sep 6, 06:43
- on Letter: A Call For Better Communication: “I seldom agree with Peggy, but I believe her comment (quoting below) is reasonable and well stated… “An email from…” Sep 5, 23:00
- on Opinion: Use Town’s ARPA Funds To Construct Solar Canopies Over High School Parking Lot: “@Rob Kusner — shouldn’t such a number have “error bars” or be stated as a range of values? … err…” Sep 5, 17:52
- on Peter Demling Resigns From School Committee: “… to be clear, I was not implying any strategic purpose in the third person resigning … maybe I’m not…” Sep 5, 17:45
- on Opinion: Use Town’s ARPA Funds To Construct Solar Canopies Over High School Parking Lot: “Rob: Wow, thanks for the thorough mathematical treatment of my comment!! Honestly, my personal thinking was just “hmm, 3GW for…” Sep 5, 17:26
- on Letter: A Call For Better Communication: “I think your ombudsman idea is an excellent one, Rick, though I have questions about how it would be implemented.…” Sep 5, 14:51
- on Letter: A Call For Better Communication: “Jim Barna: I respectfully disagree. An email from the Chair or other RSC member responding to my request (and the…” Sep 5, 14:16
- on Letter: A Call For Better Communication: “The RSC could not put Morris on leave, but RSC + Union 26 could, just as those two are the…” Sep 5, 13:02
- on Letter: A Call For Better Communication: “Peggy, government officials can’t respond they way you are requesting. They must be deliberative, listen to legal counsel, and avoid…” Sep 5, 09:36
- on Opinion: Use Town’s ARPA Funds To Construct Solar Canopies Over High School Parking Lot: “A = 5 acres ~ 2 hectares = 20,000 square-meters B = maximum solar flux ~ 1,000 watts/square-meter (at Amherst’s…” Sep 5, 01:03
- on Opinion: Use Town’s ARPA Funds To Construct Solar Canopies Over High School Parking Lot: “I echo all the thanks from the previous comments for a wonderful op-ed and a very good idea!! One more…” Sep 4, 18:31
- on Opinion: Candidates In November Election Should Not Fill Interim Vacancies On School Committee: “Mr. Hite has a lot of experience in this area. Please listen to him” Sep 4, 11:19
- on School Committee Deliberations On Mike Morris’ Severance Agreement Were Contentious: “$137,373.80 is a bargain — memory is that Maria G got at least $350,000 and an even more generous deal…” Sep 3, 21:34
- on Opinion: The Victims In The School Crisis Have Always Been The Children Who Were Harmed And The Teachers Who Were Unheard: “The children always seem to be the victims. As an alum of ARHS I saw plenty of negative treatment of…” Sep 3, 15:14
- on Peter Demling Resigns From School Committee: “If the third person to resign was to eliminate a quorum, what would be the purpose in that? Is there…” Sep 3, 13:25
- on Opinion: The Victims In The School Crisis Have Always Been The Children Who Were Harmed And The Teachers Who Were Unheard: “None of those representatives who have retired, claiming they were bullied, has provided any clear description of what that bullying…” Sep 3, 13:04
- on Peter Demling Resigns From School Committee: “How else to explain the decision of the third SC member to resign? Some bodies require the body itself to…” Sep 3, 09:46
- on Opinion: Use Town’s ARPA Funds To Construct Solar Canopies Over High School Parking Lot: “Many thanks, Irene, illustrating once again a beautiful feature of The Indy: real-time crowd-sourcing of real information!” Sep 3, 09:21
- on Opinion: Use Town’s ARPA Funds To Construct Solar Canopies Over High School Parking Lot: “The campus wide solar information can be found here: https://pubdisplay.alsoenergypreview.com/kiosk/9007199254751329?dashkey=2a5269734e6647724442673d3d&tag=1881205 with real time information” Sep 3, 08:17
- on Public Comment: An Appreciation For Remaining School Committee Members But Unanswered Questions Continue To Undermine Public Trust: “Megan D. Lambert St. Marie asks some good questions. I am also curious to know what happened to Tom Fanning.…” Sep 3, 01:09
- on Opinion: Use Town’s ARPA Funds To Construct Solar Canopies Over High School Parking Lot: “To Laura Quilter, you’re welcome! Certainly the units need to be corrected. And this question remains: given that the units…” Sep 3, 00:26
- on Peter Demling Resigns From School Committee: “It’s a very common bullying tactic for bullies to claim they are the ones being bullied. What I’m getting from…” Sep 2, 23:43
- on Opinion: Use Town’s ARPA Funds To Construct Solar Canopies Over High School Parking Lot: “Love this idea. The canopies at UMass are actually a win in terms of snow cover, too (although that is…” Sep 2, 12:02
- on Updated: Second School Committee Member Resigns: “Thanks for these links to WHMP, Rick Hood.” Sep 2, 11:57