What’s In This Issue?

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ANALYTICS
Numbers in parentheses indicate change from the previous week.

Number of Unique Page Views:
Last 30 days: 40,239 (+454)
Last Week: 11,015 (+1,178)
Number of Unique Sessions
Last 30 Days: 19,096 (-976)
Last Week:4541 (+232)

TOP FIVE MOST-READ ARTICLES IN THE MONTH OF APRIL
1. School Superintendent Responds To Withdrawal Of Sole Finalist For Middle School Principal Art Keene
2. New UMass Poll: More Than Half Of Massachusetts Republicans Have Contemplated Leaving State In Past Year 
3. Cash-strapped Library Project To Get New Cost Estimate As Bills Keep On Coming by Jeff Lee
4. Teachers Raise Alarm Over Middle School Principal Search by Toni Cunningham
5. Opinion: Stacey Abrams, Rewiring America And Climate Justice by Russ Vernon-Jones

TOP FIVE MOST-READ ARTICLES LAST WEEK
1. Amherst Voters Green Light Borrowing For New Elementary School by Art Keene
2. Is Anti LGBTQ+ Activity A Problem At The Middle School? by Maura Keene
2. Letter: Demling And Morris Misrepresent Parents’ Actions by Laura Hunter
4. Library Trustees Seek Plan B Clarity. Details Of $1M Federal Grant Award Emerge by Jeff Lee
5. Public Comment: Double Standard In Council And Manager Actions by Toni Cunningham

WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE?
ARTS
Artwork Of Shirley Jackson Whitaker At The Mill District Through June

AGRICULTURE / HORTICULTURE
Fort River Farm Community Garden Registration Is Open

BUDGET
Amherst Voters Green Light Borrowing For New Elementary School by Art Keene
Impasse Continues In Amherst Educators’ Contract Negotiations by Art Keene
Work Begins on FY2024 Budget by Maura Keene
What Is Amherst’s Top Spending Priority? The Answer May Surprise You by Jeff Lee

CAMPUS
Letter: Coalition Demands Response To UMass Police Misconduct by UMass Coalition for Transformative Justice

CLIMATE / ENVIRONMENT / NATURE
Amherst Recognized As A 2022 Tree City USA
Almanac: Beetle Art by Stephen Braun
Photo Of The Week: Happy Beaver Enjoying His Fresh Dinner By Darya Zelentsova

EVENTS
Runners Brave Cold And Damp To Support Big Brothers Big Sisters by Maura Keene
AAPI Heritage Month Celebration On The Town Common, May 7
Artwork Of Shirley Jackson Whitaker At The Mill District Through June
What’s Happening In Amherst? by Art and Maura Keene

FEATURES
Almanac: Beetle Art by Stephen Braun
A Better World Is Possible: Portugal Caps Rents, Gives Away Vacant Flats And Suspends VAT On Basic Foodstuffs by  Kasija Milosevic ( for NeueZeit.at via Scoop.me)
Town Manager Report For May 1, 2023
Photo Of The Week: Happy Beaver Enjoying His Fresh Dinner By Darya Zelentsova

HOUSING
Planning Board Remains Unenthusiastic About Hanneke/DeAngelis Zoning Proposal by Maura Keene
A Better World Is Possible: Portugal Caps Rents, Gives Away Vacant Flats And Suspends VAT On Basic Foodstuffs by  Kasija Milosevic ( for NeueZeit.at via Scoop.me)

ISSUES & ANALYSES
What Is Amherst’s Top Spending Priority? The Answer May Surprise You by Jeff Lee
How Well Are Town Committees Complying With Open Meeting Requirement For Minutes? by Kitty Axelson-Berry

OPINION
Letter: Coalition Demands Response To UMass Police Misconduct by UMass Coalition for Transformative Justice

PUBLIC SAFETY
League Of Women Voters Calls For Transparent Police Chief Selection Process
Letter: Coalition Demands Response To UMass Police Misconduct by UMass Coalition for Transformative Justice

SCHOOLS
Amherst Voters Green Light Borrowing For New Elementary School by Art Keene
Early Vote Count Exceeds 1,500 For School Debt Exclusion by Toni Cunningham
Impasse Continues In Amherst Educators’ Contract Negotiations by Art Keene
New Leadership Team Appointed For Regional Middle School by Maura Keene
School Superintendent Issues Statement In Support Of LGBTQ+ Students by Art Keene
ARHS Junior Julian Hynes Honored At Statehouse

SENIORS
Amherst Senior Center Launches New ‘Silver Shuttle’ Van Service

SOCIAL & ECONOMIC JUSTICE
School Superintendent Issues Statement In Support Of LGBTQ+ Students by Art Keene
ARHS Junior Julian Hynes Honored At Statehouse
AAPI Heritage Month Celebration On The Town Common, May 7
Artwork Of Shirley Jackson Whitaker At The Mill District Through June
Letter: Coalition Demands Response To UMass Police Misconduct by UMass Coalition for Transformative Justice
A Better World Is Possible: Portugal Caps Rents, Gives Away Vacant Flats And Suspends VAT On Basic Foodstuffs by  Kasija Milosevic ( for NeueZeit.at via Scoop.me)

TOWN GOVERNMENT
Amherst Voters Green Light Borrowing For New Elementary School by Art Keene
Early Vote Count Exceeds 1,500 For School Debt Exclusion by Toni Cunningham
Impasse Continues In Amherst Educators’ Contract Negotiations by Art Keene
Planning Board Remains Unenthusiastic About Hanneke/DeAngelis Zoning Proposal by Maura Keene
Work Begins on FY2024 Budget by Maura Keene
Amherst Senior Center Launches New ‘Silver Shuttle’ Van Service
League Of Women Voters Calls For Transparent Police Chief Selection Process
Amherst Recognized As A 2022 Tree City USA
What Is Amherst’s Top Spending Priority? The Answer May Surprise You by Jeff Lee
How Well Are Town Committees Complying With Open Meeting Requirement For Minutes? by Kitty Axelson-Berry
Town Manager Report For May 1, 2023