- Don Ogden on Photos of the Week: In Memoriam | The Jones Library’s Trees: “It’s the Trees Those who embrace the Trees or those who care not their presence those humans willing to conquer…” Aug 2, 16:06
- on Major Downtown Intersection Reconstruction Begins August 1: “What’s going to happen when the college students come back into town? Moving days are a fiasco to begin with…” Aug 2, 15:05
- on Town of Amherst Launches New Civic Academy Program: “My first reaction to this Civic Academy Program was that it was meant as a joke! Paul Bockelman announced at…” Aug 2, 15:00
- on Letter: Regarding a New Firehouse and DPW Building, Two Can Live Cheaper than One: “Let’s pretend Amherst was fortunate enough to have a couple of visitors from another planet. They appropriate a car and…” Aug 2, 14:43
- on Town Announces Paving Priorities for FY26: “The statement, “The town is continually working toward improving and maintaining the condition of its roadways” made me laugh out…” Aug 2, 13:41
- on Major Downtown Intersection Reconstruction Begins August 1: “If they could only put that money to fixing the North Hallock/North Prospect stretch! What that intersection needs is long…” Aug 2, 12:51
- on Letter: Majestic Norway Spruce is First Casualty of Library Project: “Was the Shade Tree Committee and Tree Warden part of the decision to fell this beautiful tree?” Aug 2, 12:45
- on Photos of the Week: In Memoriam | The Jones Library’s Trees: “Peggy : you captured my frustration far more eloquently. To some , all of this activity may seem like progress…” Aug 2, 11:39
- on By This Measure Amherst Has the Least Affordable Property Taxes in the State: “So what to do? When the pot holes proliferate, our cars need more and more expensive repairs. And more dangerous…” Aug 2, 11:28
- on Letter: Regarding a New Firehouse and DPW Building, Two Can Live Cheaper than One: “An excellent suggestion from someone with serious experience!” Aug 2, 10:51
- on Opinion: Gaza: What Have We Become?: “The unfortunate truth appears to be that it’s in Netanyahu’s interest to continue the war to stay out of prison.…” Aug 2, 10:17
- on Photos of the Week: In Memoriam | The Jones Library’s Trees: “It is hard to witness the profit-driven values that Amherst now follows that serve to line the pockets of a…” Aug 2, 10:11
- on Major Downtown Intersection Reconstruction Begins August 1: “I don’t understand why my tax money (whatever its source) is being used to reconstruct a perfectly decent road surface…” Aug 2, 09:36
- on Major Downtown Intersection Reconstruction Begins August 1: “How on earth does paving this intersection of Amity Street make any sense in the face of the enormous demolition…” Aug 2, 09:23
- on Ask Perplexity AI: Which Colleges and Universities Make the Largest PILOT Payments to Their Host Communities?: “All good points, Terence. I would hope you’d be tapped to be part of an official discussion between the town…” Aug 2, 09:09
- on Amherst “Pots & Pans Protest” Calls Attention to Starvation in Gaza: “Yes, and of course anyone who dares to criticize the U.S. funded Israeli genocide of Palestinians is antisemitic and needs…” Aug 2, 08:39
- on By This Measure Amherst Has the Least Affordable Property Taxes in the State: “I agree that priorities are off. The budget for any kind of maintenance is way too low. I recommend that…” Aug 2, 07:38
- on Ask Perplexity AI: Which Colleges and Universities Make the Largest PILOT Payments to Their Host Communities?: “Although this list is very good, some of these figures are not accurate or do not convey that even though…” Aug 2, 06:37
- on Letter: Regarding a New Firehouse and DPW Building, Two Can Live Cheaper than One: “Both DPW and Fire Dept. need maintenance equipment for large vehicles and fueling facilities. Communications could also share equipment. Let’s…” Aug 1, 21:28
- on By This Measure Amherst Has the Least Affordable Property Taxes in the State: “Speaking about Amherst’s $45 million backlog of road repairs, Griesemer remarked, “Sometimes people suggest that we should do an override…” Aug 1, 19:49
- on Photos of the Week: In Memoriam | The Jones Library’s Trees: “With the library ,and the Rafters site being demolished, makes question our current form of government. It is the Wild…” Aug 1, 19:27
- on Ask Perplexity AI: Which Colleges and Universities Make the Largest PILOT Payments to Their Host Communities?: “I am comparing what I said perplexity said (see article) to what Emily Gest said (above), and it seems like…” Aug 1, 17:29
- on Ask Perplexity AI: Which Colleges and Universities Make the Largest PILOT Payments to Their Host Communities?: “AI is a fun tool to use but shouldn’t be viewed as factually accurate. Ira Bryck’s column today “Ask Perplexity…” Aug 1, 16:49
- on Opinion: Shady Goings-on with Charter Review Committee Vacancy: “When I first heard the Amherst slogan “where only the H is silent” I assumed that the powers-that-be were listening…” Aug 1, 08:35
- on Opinion: Shady Goings-on with Charter Review Committee Vacancy: “In the immortal words of Claude Rains, “I’m shocked! Shocked!” This report is the best evidence why we need Charter…” Aug 1, 08:13
- on Opinion: Shady Goings-on with Charter Review Committee Vacancy: “Who has the final authority to accept or decline changes to the Town Charter that are collected, developed and recommended…” Aug 1, 07:12
- on Amherst “Pots & Pans Protest” Calls Attention to Starvation in Gaza: “I am so tired of those who try their best to minimize the slaughter of close to 70,000 Palestinians. Mr.…” Jul 31, 13:04
- on Letter: Majestic Norway Spruce is First Casualty of Library Project: “I have a photo of the tree felling too. Spruce trees represent/symbolize resilience and strength because of their capacity to…” Jul 31, 10:27
- on Letter: Majestic Norway Spruce is First Casualty of Library Project: “Who was the independent arborist? Was it someone who works to save trees or just an “easy way out” individual?” Jul 31, 09:15
- on Half Million Dollar Jump in Library Project Costs: “Brilliant. Hilda’s idea is based upon extensive knowledge and significant experience in service to the town. It should be brought…” Jul 31, 06:13
- on Cartoon: Jonesing for All We Need: “One correction to a comment above: the Town-owned conservation lands is an amenity, not a burden — these cost the…” Jul 31, 01:07
- on Cartoon: Jonesing for All We Need: “The Development that has occurred, hadn’t added that much , other than an insignificant tax paid to the town .…” Jul 30, 20:24
- on Regional School Committee Again Receives Heart-Wrenching Testimony About Discrimination at Middle School: “I am appalled that this woman has been reinstated. with back pay no less. whoever did this arbitration did not…” Jul 30, 17:43
- on Amherst “Pots & Pans Protest” Calls Attention to Starvation in Gaza: “The hostages have been held prisoner in Gaza for 662 days. When is the “pots and pans protest” scheduled on…” Jul 30, 16:46
- on Cartoon: Jonesing for All We Need: “I agree with some, and disagree with other parts of what Mr. Pill said. One, I think the library was…” Jul 30, 15:26
- on Cartoon: Jonesing for All We Need: “My immigrant grandfather, schooled in Talmudic wisdom, liked to say “There are really three sides to every story — your…” Jul 30, 09:11
- on Opinion: Gaza: What Have We Become?: “Religion has to be held accountable as a way of justifying aggression. There are many other ways such as patriotism,…” Jul 29, 20:10
- on Cartoon: Jonesing for All We Need: “Exactly! I would laugh if it wasn’t so depressing. Bravo for picturing it like it is.” Jul 29, 14:07
- on Photos of the Week: What the Heck is That?: “I encountered one of these at Puffers about 20 years ago. David Delaney” Jul 29, 11:47
- on Amherst “Pots & Pans Protest” Calls Attention to Starvation in Gaza: “There must be more than that we can do. Free Palestine lawn signs (although mine keeps being stolen), leafleting, spreading…” Jul 28, 23:22
- on Community Protests Reinstatement of Delinda Dykes at Amherst Middle School: “Hard to believe she is back, and that D.D. and the other two are so gender phobic and even more,…” Jul 28, 17:46
- on Divided Council Unable to Choose Representative for DPW Building Committee: “Andy Steinberg and his Amherst Forward colleagues (namely the councilors opposing Pam Rooney’s appointment to the DPW Building Committee) consistently…” Jul 28, 16:49
- on Divided Council Unable to Choose Representative for DPW Building Committee: ““ Unfortunately, I do not hold Mr. Steinberg in high regards. I will never understand his position about many things,…” Jul 28, 15:05
- on Large North Amherst Barn Demolished After Deemed a Safety Risk: “First, although I am saddened by the loss of another historical structure, I think the article presented an appreciated primer…” Jul 27, 17:16
- on Amherst “Pots & Pans Protest” Calls Attention to Starvation in Gaza: “Bob, I’m sorry I didn’t know about any resistance in Amherst. Did Barbara Pearson cover it? Please notify me about…” Jul 27, 12:37
- on Half Million Dollar Jump in Library Project Costs: “Thank you, Hilda. If anyone in this Amherst knows about library renovations, it would be you. Your beautiful and extremely…” Jul 27, 12:03
- on Half Million Dollar Jump in Library Project Costs: “Kathleen (and everyone else), Great question – but no answer has been provided. Amazingly, no one at the building committee…” Jul 27, 10:10
- on Half Million Dollar Jump in Library Project Costs: “When are the wrecking balls arriving on the Jones Library site to begin demolishing the building? Anybody know?” Jul 27, 09:02
- on Community Protests Reinstatement of Delinda Dykes at Amherst Middle School: “An administrative judge was miffed by procedural error(s) when the district dismissed Dykes, but is apparently OK with behavior that…” Jul 27, 08:09
- on Half Million Dollar Jump in Library Project Costs: “Perhaps the 1928-93 Jones Library could have a similar fate as the Delaware River? Half a century ago this week,…” Jul 27, 02:29
- on Half Million Dollar Jump in Library Project Costs: “Hilda’s idea would have been useful a few years ago but I’m afraid the library ship has sailed. Too bad…” Jul 26, 19:36
- on Divided Council Unable to Choose Representative for DPW Building Committee: “If only the school was begun first and the Jones Library project had been put to an override vote…hmm. I…” Jul 26, 18:11
- on Half Million Dollar Jump in Library Project Costs: “Holey moley, this is one of the important benefits lost by the passing of Town Meeting …thinking outside the box…” Jul 26, 17:52
- on Large North Amherst Barn Demolished After Deemed a Safety Risk: “Hilda and Indy can you please fix this article? It’s so inaccurate it’s absurd. Corrections: it didn’t come down this…” Jul 26, 16:34
- on Half Million Dollar Jump in Library Project Costs: “Is it possible to get Hilda’s idea above to a town vote asap? Especially in light of the now $500k…” Jul 26, 15:15
- on Divided Council Unable to Choose Representative for DPW Building Committee: ““ He cautioned that in the future a lot of difficult choices will need to be made, possibly including an…” Jul 26, 13:47
- on Opinion: What Do Voters Want?: “We need a true system of checks and balances that had been provided under the Town Meeting/Select Board system. With…” Jul 26, 13:13
- on School District Scrambles to Address Instructional Hours Shortfall: “So 94.5 hours “missing” means that Amherst high school students missed out on approximately 3 weeks of instruction. That is…” Jul 26, 12:59
- on Half Million Dollar Jump in Library Project Costs: “Where are the candidates for Library Trustee who will commit to financial accountability??” Jul 26, 12:50
- on Half Million Dollar Jump in Library Project Costs: “Hilda’s suggestion is brilliant! Was this option ever considered? It means, of course, an entire reworking of the project. Is…” Jul 26, 12:14
- on Amherst “Pots & Pans Protest” Calls Attention to Starvation in Gaza: “Let’s do this daily. Let’s start here and maybe it will spread around the globe. How about 6 pm? Suggest…” Jul 26, 11:59
- on Half Million Dollar Jump in Library Project Costs: “It appears that UDrive is a perfect location with lots of parking and bus access. The rent is a small…” Jul 26, 10:28
- on School District Scrambles to Address Instructional Hours Shortfall: “The “growth” should be in the number of teachers and academic courses in the Middle and High School. The “accountability”…” Jul 26, 10:21
- on Large North Amherst Barn Demolished After Deemed a Safety Risk: “I admit that when driving on Cowls Rd I watch the road not the scenery! But on Tuesday I was…” Jul 26, 10:19
- on Half Million Dollar Jump in Library Project Costs: “It’s part of the old neocapitalist playbook: Privatize the profits, Socialize the losses. The problem: How do we identify the…” Jul 26, 10:09
- on Half Million Dollar Jump in Library Project Costs: “It would be helpful to get an update on the fundraising since it’s a big number to raise. Many are…” Jul 26, 09:47
- on Half Million Dollar Jump in Library Project Costs: “This was always the plan. Begin construction and tearing down the library and then hand the bill to the town…” Jul 26, 08:02
- on School District Scrambles to Address Instructional Hours Shortfall: “Is this because too many teachers have been issued pink slips over the past few years?” Jul 25, 22:43
- on Large North Amherst Barn Demolished After Deemed a Safety Risk: “Glad they were able to save that church in Greenfield, but let’s be honest, the historic preservation movement has flat-lined.…” Jul 25, 21:07
- on Divided Council Unable to Choose Representative for DPW Building Committee: “None of the three applicants for the Charter Review Committee who were not chosen during the original application process were…” Jul 25, 19:54
- on Large North Amherst Barn Demolished After Deemed a Safety Risk: “Nothing gets past the Indy! This February 4th demolition of the dilapidated barn wasn’t noticed by neighbor and Indy writer…” Jul 25, 15:59
- on Plenty of Criticism of Town Government at the Final Charter Review Listening Session: “Now more shenanigans. After delaying posting the vacancy for a position on the Charter Review Committee for two months, failing…” Jul 25, 14:45
- on Puffer’s Pond Open for Swimming: “Why is the south beach twice what the north beach is?” Jul 24, 13:03
- on Poetry from “It’s the Trees” by Don Ogden: “Beautiful poem, beautiful photo, beautiful analogy…so meaningful all. For those of us in “New England”, we all live among the…” Jul 24, 10:08
- on Regional School Committee Members Trade Accusations Over Alleged Policy Violations: “I would recommend that you report fully on what the transcript of the meeting said. Especially how the Chairs falsely,…” Jul 22, 15:34
- on Photos of the Week: What the Heck is That?: “Hey Jocelyn, It’s great to have you contributing to The Indy while you’re back in town: what an interesting image…” Jul 20, 23:37
- on Opinion: Iran: The Things It Won’t Do to Say: ““rules based world order” is a euphemism for our rules and our world order. What struck me most about the…” Jul 19, 15:07
- on Opinion: Potholes, The Charter, and a Board of Appointments: “In response to John Varner’s comment, Amherst Forward — the group that brought you the rallying cry that Town Meeting…” Jul 19, 14:43
- on The History of Housing in New England Part 3: A Federal Mandate : “In a posting in the online magazine Mental Floss “10 New Deal Programs We Now Take For Granted: FDR’s New…” Jul 19, 10:20
- on Overpasses for Democracy Now a Monthly Event: “Dated. The Next Overpass for Democracy action is: Friday July 25, 4 to 5:30pm. Stand up for democracy with your…” Jul 19, 09:39
- on Mixed-use Building at Amity and University To Be Bigger and Higher: “It feels like another mixed use dormitory could be coming our way . The project has that look and sound.” Jul 19, 08:32
- on Opinion: Iran: The Things It Won’t Do to Say: “Thanks, Mr. Young, for speaking truth before this lady.” Jul 19, 08:10
- on Opinion: An Elected Mayor?: “At the very least, the Town should have a Mayor even if with limited powers so there is a clear…” Jul 19, 06:37
- on Letter: Should Brookline Become a City? Our Experience in Amherst Says No!: “My dear Fred, It’s all about who has the power and Amherst Forward et al. wanted more than they had…” Jul 18, 22:40
- on How Are You? : “How depressing. Alors, c’est la vie. Mais je suis encore. As my husband always said: “It beats the alternative.” And,…” Jul 18, 22:23
- on Town Manager Report for July 17, 2025: “Name: Department of Public Works Building Committee (DPWBC) Term of Appointment: **The length of the building process, estimated to be…” Jul 18, 18:38
- on Mixed-use Building at Amity and University To Be Bigger and Higher: “Is it just me or do the rendering a for this and the library look similar? Soulless L shaped boxes……” Jul 18, 16:28
- on Amherst Ranks Last in Massachusetts in Public Works Spending Per Capita: “I agree with the people here who comment on the poor workmanship of pothole repair in our town. When I…” Jul 18, 11:14
- on Survey: How Should the Town Use Its Opioid Settlement Funds?: “FIX SOME ROADS! FIX SOME ROADS! FIX SOME ROADS!” Jul 17, 13:18
- on Survey: How Should the Town Use Its Opioid Settlement Funds?: “Let’s use these funds to support CRESS and other projects recommended by CSWG as we know the overdose rates, while…” Jul 17, 10:45
- on Puffer’s Pond Closed to Swimming: “The only promises this town keeps is to the library.” Jul 17, 10:35
- on Puffer’s Pond Closed to Swimming: “What happened with the promise of upstream testing? And what about limiting dog access to the south portion at least…” Jul 17, 09:19
- on Opinion: An Elected Mayor?: “A few of us have wondered (since before the new Charter was adopted and put into effect) whether the failure…” Jul 16, 22:31
- on Interviews for Non-voting Members of the Finance Committee Set for July 15: ““Some GOL members expressed concern that filling the long-standing vacancy on the Charter Review Committee would be disruptive, because the…” Jul 15, 22:53
- on Opinion: An Elected Mayor?: “Our current form of government is flawed . Their are no checks and balances from the top down . Each…” Jul 15, 19:34
- on Letter: Should Brookline Become a City? Our Experience in Amherst Says No!: “The Town Meeting vs. Town Council discussion here seems to be centered on the hypothetical benefits/detriments of each system. Either…” Jul 15, 15:50
- on An Introduction to the History of Housing in New England: “Thank you, Inge. That means a lot. And a recent follow up to the subject of burial grounds and more…” Jul 14, 23:37