Daily Hampshire Gazette - Established 1786
Cloudy
64°
Cloudy
Hi 66° | Lo 55°

Opinion

Editorial: Lessons of the Kermit Gosnell murder case

Friday, May 17, 2013

Limiting access to abortion does not stop the procedures from happening — that’s the takeaway from the Kermit Gosnell trial. For more than 15 years, Gosnell operated a cash-only, squalid West Philadelphia practice that specialized in late-term abortions for desperate, uninsured women. This week, Gosnell was found guilty of murdering three infants who survived abortions he performed as well as 24 counts of terminating a pregnancy after the 24-week gestational … 1

Marietta Pritchard: Report from the Class of 1958

Friday, May 17, 2013

AMHERST — It’s the season of commencements and reunions, and although I won’t be attending my 55th, I have been scanning my class reunion book with fascination. It is a fat red book, with two sets of entries — Radcliffe College on one cover, and then upside down (or rightside up, if you prefer) on the other cover, Harvard College, both of them … 0

Max Hartshorne Readuponit: In Lewiston, Maine, it's a small, small world

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Readuponit: Travel and Voracious Reading By Max Hartshorne Maybe it’s because we carry notebooks and write things down. We are not sure what it is that makes the people in Lewiston so open and friendly, but it’s striking. Friday night we realized that every person we’ve met during our time here over the past few days knows everyone else! It’s a small community … 0

About Letters
The Gazette welcomes letters to the editor which should not exceed 300 words, be of general interest and in good taste and meet legal standards. They may be emailed to opinion@gazettenet.com with "Letter to the Gazette in the subject line or sent via U.S. mail to Letters, Daily Hampshire Gazette, P.O. Box 299, Northampton, MA 01061. For more information, visit our Help Center.
Gazetteer Blog »

Larry Parnass, the editor of the Gazette, has been on the newspaper's staff since 1988 as an editor, reporter and columnist.

Share your thoughts on Northampton mayor's proposed Smith Vocational change
May 9, 2013 10:39AM
Living off the woody fat of the land
Dec 26, 2012 11:57AM
Northampton's MEF seeks to expand educational reach with 'Exploded View' website
Oct 1, 2012 06:37PM
Glendale Falls trail-building project in Middlefield lands $38,000; work to begin in October
Sep 28, 2012 03:53PM
Talkback »
murphmi wrote:
10:35 AM EST

When will the city of Northampton stop giving away our community owned land ? Why does the the Center for the Arts...(full comment)

Florence Community Center tenants wary of change
wnorris wrote:
10:11 AM EST

And who can forget the video of former judge Mike Ryan's arrest by the NPD and how unnecessarily violent it was? Atty. William...(full comment)

Justice for Jonas coalition calls police ‘malicious’ in arrest of Amherst man which was videotaped
Other Local News
Hampshire’s 300 graduates urged to confront challenges
From News »
Justice for Jonas coalition calls police ‘malicious’ in arrest of Amherst man which was videotaped
From News »
Northampton wins girls track title; Amherst rallies to second
From Sports »
Chicopee Comp overtakes Amherst to win boys track title
From Sports »
Easy ways to jazz up the classic campfire s’more
From Living »
Lou & Lucy’s Leftovers: State foods according to Lou
From Living »
Art People: Julia Mintz | filmmaker
From Arts & Entertainment »
Tuned in
From Arts & Entertainment »

Gina Wyman, Rebecca Belcher-Timme: Loss of Easthampton schools’ positions a concern

Friday, May 17, 2013

To the editor: We were distressed to learn that the administrators of the Easthampton Public Schools are proposing to eliminate the school adjustment counselor positions at Maple, Center and Pepin, the three elementary schools in the district. As Maple School parents and as educators, we have many concerns. … 0

Editorial: Carol T. Christ of Smith College served community as well as school

Friday, May 17, 2013

When Smith College gathers to send off the class of 2013 Sunday, it will also say farewell to Carol T. Christ, who is completing her tenure as the college’s 10th president. Christ assumed the presidency of Smith in 2002 after a distinguished career as a professor, researcher, head … 6

Lynne Wallace: Charting and addressing Northampton’s housing needs

Friday, May 17, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — Guest columns in this space have promoted exciting new downtown housing models and the need for new development like it within the city of Northampton. Topics such as this highlight the priorities of the Northampton Housing Partnership — aligning housing strategies and production with the housing … 0

Max Hartshorne Readuponit: Porting is such sweet sorrow 

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Readuponit: Travel and Voracious Reading By Max Hartshorne I don't know about you, but my cable bill both annoys and worries me. It seems like the better the TVs get, and even though they keep going down in price AND getting bigger, there are little strings attached and … 0

Joe Bodin: Unrepaired Amherst roads are the worst

Friday, May 17, 2013

To the editor: At the Amherst Town Meeting, members asked why there are so many potholes. A major reason why the roads are getting progressively worse is the town does very little, if any, preventative maintenance. Several years ago, when asked why Amherst does not fill its road … 0

Paul Borneo: Local traffic only on North Street during construction

Friday, May 17, 2013

To the editor: I live on North Street next to the sewer construction and we’re having a ongoing problem here with dust. Starting at 7 a.m. each weekday, the road is closed for construction. Work ends at 3:30 p.m. and the road opens to two-way traffic. However, on … 0

Kent Hicks: A tip of the hat to Amherst Woodworking

Friday, May 17, 2013

To the editor: Thank you Amherst Woodworking. It is unfortunate that Copper Beech Millwork/Amherst Woodworking will be closing their doors. The Valley and region are architecturally richer because of the large selection of finely detailed moldings, custom cabinetry and beautiful hardwoods that Amherst Woodworking supplied. Their offerings were … 0

Jeff Hinrichs: Keep JFK pool open on weekends

Friday, May 17, 2013

To the editor: I wholeheartedly agree that the JFK pool should remain open on the weekends (editorial, “JFK pool a community gem,” May 9). It is the only public pool in the area and is a vibrant part of the community. It is well-used by all ages: adult … 0

Tom McBride: In Amherst, it’s not always good to resist change

Friday, May 17, 2013

To the editor: With buses, and cars, I don’t think the students will find The Retreat too far from campus. We want things to stay the same in town, but it’s not our job to micromanage, nor is it our right. We have lives better than many others … 0

Joshua Mintzer: Don’t let darker natures rule the day

Friday, May 17, 2013

To the editor: With regards to a recent letter-writer’s proclamation that “Even in Easthampton, we have begun to fear walking down the streets,” I loudly state he does not speak for me, nor, I am certain, for many other residents of our city. Certainly, it can feel like … 0

Don't Miss This