Opinion
Guest columnist David E. Sullivan: Gun buyback a worthy effort
By DAVID E. SULLIVAN
As district attorney for 47 towns that make up the Northwestern District, I invite everyone to consider turning in unwanted firearms and ammunition this Saturday, April 13, when our office holds its third Gun Buyback in Greenfield and...
Rosemary Seifert-Graf: Oppose state’s new clean heat standard
I have learned that a new regulation is being worked on by the Massachusetts Department of Environment Protection called the “clean heat standard.” As a homeowner, I am asking that all Massachusetts homeowners oppose this regulation because it will...
Ruby Theberge-Goode: Don’t cut the school budget!
I go to Jackson Street School and I will be a fifth grader next year. I do not think there should be two fifth grade classes. I think the city should not make budget cuts. The schools need more money. Because if there were 27 fifth graders per class,...
Susan Rees: Fund our public schools
It is mind-boggling that in a region that holds some of the finest and affluent colleges in our nation, our public schools are in such dire financial shape. Clearly, we in western Massachusetts value education, yet we are on the brink of decimating...
Guest columnist Richard T. Chu: Despite community sessions, Resilience Hub is done deal
By RICHARD T. CHU
I attended the first of three public meetings organized by the city of Northampton, in collaboration with the Community Action Pioneer Valley and Jones Whitsett Architects, at Edwards Church on March 25. These meetings are aimed at “sharing updates...
Guest columnist Richard S. Bogartz: What the ghosts of Warsaw Ghetto know
By RICHARD S. BOGARTZ
I had intended to continue my four-part series on President Joe Biden, but I must interrupt that project even though Part 2 is almost complete because, even though I don’t believe in ghosts, I keep encountering ghosts who insist I must address Gaza...
Michelle Valois: The arts celebrate what makes us human
Nearly everyone turns to the arts in times of joy and times of sorrow: the song you danced to at your wedding; the poem that helped you through the loss of a friend; the film or play or book that made you laugh or cry or think. Nearly everyone turns...
Reed Mitchell: Northampton Public Schools deficit shouldn't be an issue
‘Knowledge. Community. Generosity. These three concepts capture Smith’s identity as an institution.” Those are the words that greet you on Smith College’s website. But does Smith College embody these values for the community of Northampton? I offer...
Columnist Karen Gardner: What kind of nation are we?
By KAREN GARDNERDid you know that the Founders of our great nation wrote these words: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”?Isn’t that amazing? That’s the first line of the First...
Cathy McNally: It's good to look for gold when you need it
The people of Northampton shouldn’t be belittled as naïve for urging the city to adequately fund schools. That’s why I was surprised to hear two School Committee members mention “some people” as believing the city had a hidden “pot of gold.” And...
Rachel Wysoker: Start dreaming bigger on King Street
Thank you, Paige Bridgens and Ruth Woodring, for encouraging us to imagine something better than a car lot, even a different King Street, in your eloquent letter [“Where once there was a car lot, let there be a forest,” Gazette, April 3].I have many...
Sharon Hall-Smith: Struggle for racial justice, reparations movement growing
I appreciated the March 1 letter about reparations owed to African-Americans [“Unitarian Universalists advocating for reparations,” Gazette]. I also saw the new documentary film, “The Cost of Inheritance,” that was referenced and was very impressed by...
Jennifer Delozier: One thing you never say to a solar eclipse
“Wait one minute ... I’ll be right there!” And yes, it was spectacular!Jennifer DelozierEasthampton
Noah Daube-Valois: Save Northampton High School’s arts
One year ago, Northampton High School’s newly hired Dave Grout directed the musical “Rock Of Ages.” On opening night, he made a tear-filled speech about his 10-plus-year search for a high school theater job. Alongside music director Susan Dillard, it...
Guest columnist Craig Felton: A new bridge over the Conn. River is not asking too much
By CRAIG FELTON
I am grateful to the Greenfield Recorder for granting me space to add to Chris Larabee’s article: “Visioning workshop considers future of downtown (Sunderland)” [Recorder, April 2]. I am quoted, rightly, as saying: “Forget about the roundabout.” I...
Mary Hall: A nightmare that continues to haunt us all
I agree with Don Michak that much more attention to the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home debacle is needed, but differ from his view that the Gazette should dig into the matter now [”Dig deeper after scandalous court ruling in Soldiers’ Home case,” Gazette,...
Patrick Gabridge: EVs fire no more dangerous than gas-powered vehicles
While I certainly appreciate coverage of the local fire departments, as well as of the changes we're seeing towards EVs in the transportation sector, the article about firefighters prepping to deal with potential fires in EVs was oddly inflammatory...
Benjamin Spencer: King Street lot full of possibilities
The large vacant lot on King Street is full of possibilities. The property abuts two densely populated neighborhoods, three regional rail trails, a wide range of retail options and it is easily accessible to downtown. This stretch of King Street is...
Alayna Van Tassel: Financial literacy is crucial throughout the year, not just in April
National Financial Literacy month is recognized in April, but personal financial literacy (PFL) education should have a place in Massachusetts schools throughout the year. When thinking about building a more equitable future for our children,...
Columnist John Sheirer: If I complain about paying my taxes …
By JOHN SHEIRER
Dear Friends,As April 15 approaches, I keep hearing complaints about paying taxes. I may not support everything the government does with the tax money I pay, but I understand the basic importance of paying taxes as part of our shared civic...
