I read the Gazette every morning, and find myself fairly amused at the discourse over small issues in Amherst. However, I was not amused to read that the School Committee has contracted with an executive search firm in Omaha, Nebraska. Were there no options in the Northeast? Boston, Hartford, New York?

It seems strange to me that we are sending money to a red state. Keeping it local — is that just a catch phrase that gets used when it's convenient? I'm sure your readers would like to know.

Alex Gray

Southampton