Letter: We Disavow Jeff Lee’s Letter to NEH/DOGE
by Mickey Rathbun, Maria Kopicki, Ken Rosenthal, Anita Sarro, Peggy Matthews-Nilsen, and Arthur Keene
The following letter was sent to the editors of the Amherst Indy and the Daily Hampshire Gazette on April 23, 2025.
We write as individuals who have, to some extent or another, publicly opposed the Jones Library expansion/demolition project. We continue to have profound and valid concerns about the project including its negative impact on historic preservation, dramatic cuts to sustainability features, excessive and unknown costs, and the severe ramifications its inadequate funding will have on the town’s other needs for decades to come.
Nonetheless, we strongly disavow the letter that Jeff Lee sent to the DOGE Congressional Caucus requesting intervention against an NEH grant. Whether the letter was sent to the congressional DOGE caucus or to DOGE itself is an immaterial distinction. Engaging DOGE in any way was irresponsible and inappropriate and does not reflect our values. We also understand that the letter included some references to specific aspects of the project about which Lee expressed personal views that are not shared by many of us who oppose the project. We had no knowledge of this letter prior to its being sent and had we known of Lee’s intentions, we would have strongly advised against sending it.
We stand firm in our opposition to this particular building project and in our support of the Jones Library, but we cannot condone the action that Lee has taken.
Mickey Rathbun, Maria Kopicki, Ken Rosenthal, Anita Sarro, Peggy Matthews-Nilsen and Arthur Keene are residents of Amherst.
In an article written by Art Keene on November 22nd, 2024 the following comment was posted by Rob Kusner. Given that every comment on this page must be approved, I assume someone from the leadership team of the Indy deemed it appropriate to post. Additionally, no one listed in this post commented at that time to say that they would strongly advise against Robs suggested action. Rob comment – “Even if the Jones Libray demolition/expansion project has not yet risen to the waste, fraud or abuse of federal funds level, how ironic would it be if the proposed DoGE (Department of Government Efficiency) took interest … as a prima facie example of federal inefficiency — cc. both Elon and Vivek on the next memo?!”
Jeff researches before he writes . I have always paid attention to what he says .
Jeff and others, can say what they want they want to say . To whomever, they want to say it .
Get over it , our world is filled with uncomfortable
rhetoric.
To me this puts a spotlight exactly on the larger political situation — one in which American democracy is under attack and is absolutely failing, and the waves of shock and fear that are hitting various sectors of the population. Many make quippy comments (Rob Kusner cited above), and people take actions that in other times and political situations would have a very different valence. How insanely wrong it is to even have to worry that the Eye of Sauron might be drawn towards Amherst. And therein lies the tragedy — that a time in larger history when we all need to be building our community, and developing solidarity across differences that are now relatively speaking less significant — instead more toxic divisiveness has been fostered.
I wish Jeff Lee had not written that letter. I wish even more that the larger political culture that makes that letter so dangerous and ill-advised were different. And, I really hope the letter remains minor with no effect outside of the locals’ feelings — and that we are all able to get back to working in our various ways to fighting or fixing or helping others.
Hmmnnn….
Perhaps the “Eye of Sauron” lives in Amherst (and has assets which can be attached in the event of libel litigation)?
But why would an attempted satirist like me have fear?
For if now I too have been libeled (by the above-posted comment — which clearly fails to distinguish a satirical quip many months ago from marching orders to all my loyal followers), I promise to donate the net proceeds (after attorneys fees or any personal pain and suffering award) of successful litigation in support of public education.
Do we live in a town where freedom is honored and respected? No, we do not!
This attack on Jeff Lee is insulting and unfair. I do not know Jeff, but have read many things he has written regarding this library project and although he generally represents “the other side”, he certainly does the research to present his views with clarity. He is always respectful in his writings.
Given the current state of media “fairness” in our complex political landscape, I am dismayed but not surprised at this attack on Jeff. It is not deserved. It is not democratic. It is not what Freedom of Speech allows us, as American citizens.
The media often does not report objectively and presents opinions as facts. It sounds to me like that may be a part of this issue.
For a town that prides itself on being so inclusive and tolerant, this attack on Jeff is neither, and it is wrong. He has every right to express his beliefs. He can write to anyone he wants to.
I appreciate Jeff’s opinions, his research, and his willingness to present a clear picture of why the acceptance of this library project is a real financial risk and burden, to Amherst taxpayers. He is not alone in believing this.
Thank you, Jeff.
I was really surprised to learn the Jeff Lee had written to Doge…..in whatever form of Doge it was…I happen to agree with Jeff that the library project is a vanity boondoggle that Amherst can ill afford….but writing to Doge seems a stretch. Doesn’t that give the Musk wrecking crew legitimacy? Oddly enough, I can’t disagree with Kitty AB or David Farnham…but writing to Doge give me a total WTF reaction.
I strongly agree with “Letter: We Disavow Jeff Lee’s Letter to NEH/DOGE”. Thank you Mickey Rathbun, Maria Kopicki, Ken Rosenthal, Anita Sarro, Peggy Matthews-Nilsen and Arthur Keene. The idea that people in Amherst would seek to collaborate with the criminal and mean-spirited DOGE/Trump coup is shocking. We need to move beyond anger about projects in Amherst when we lose. Nothing could happen to the Jones Library, including its complete demolition, that matters compared with the long-term destruction of our country. Get over it!
Meg and Dave,
I want to make sure you are aware of the correction that the Daily Hampshire Gazette published yesterday at https://www.gazettenet.com/Letter-60800196. I did not write to DOGE or the Trump administration, but to the DOGE Congressional Caucus, a bipartisan group of Representatives who are not under Elon Musk’s thumb.
My letter was about fiscal responsibility and the questionable use of public funds and nothing more. The Jones Library Capital Campaign has cleverly structured the NEH grant so that it can only be awarded if the Town funds the oversized and unaffordable $46.1 million library expansion. I consider that wasteful.
I strongly agree with you both about the destructive direction the country is heading, but I am also concerned about the destructive path the Town is on.
Jeff – While technically you did email the DOGE Congressional Caucus and not DOGE – which are different – I see no evidence that it is actually bipartisan. It is co-chaired by 3 republicans, and I only see news stories noting 3 Democrats who are participating, one of which has since quit. Do you even have a list of who is in the caucus so you know who you emailed ? I have been googling and can’t seem to find it. If you don’t even know who you emailed, that seems more careless to me than emailing a mailbox for DOGE that may or may not be checked – instead you emailed a list of 100 + congress people who all have staffers who have the time to read what you wrote and potentially attack our town and our values as a result. Hopefully they were all on spring break instead…
I understand the outrage that many people feel about a letter sent to something named DOGE. I think it comes in two forms. Backers of the library project are outraged that someone would reach out to an organization that can actually do something about it. Opponents of the library are upset that yet another item has been added to the list of crimes that we are accused of, and one that is especially galling. I think it’s entirely fair to challenge DOGE in whatever form to do what they claim to be doing and prevent an actual waste of taxpayer funds. Many things that Musk and his Muskovites are doing are senselessly destructive, mean spirited, and petty. However there is waste in government and the Jones Library project is a prime example. We need to be investing money in our children and our safety instead of a blingy boondoggle. If a DOGE-named organization can make that happen, as much as I’m disgusted by the rest of what they’re doing, I’ll take it.