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Opinion

Chris Barcomb, of Easthampton, sits where a bench used to be in front of Hay Market Cafe on Main Street Northampton Tuesday afternoon.

Editorial: What makes a downtown?

Friday, May 24, 2013

In response to long-standing problems reported by downtown shopkeepers, Mayor David J. Narkewicz took decisive action last week when he authorized the removal of six benches that had long been stationed along Northampton’s wide, tree-lined Main Street sidewalks. The benches did what benches do — they invited passersby to have a seat and rest a while. But in some respects, … 1

Clare Higgins: Enough of political dynasties. We're a democracy, after all

Friday, May 24, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — The George W. Bush Presidential Library was dedicated this past April. The day before the ceremonies, Barbara Bush was interviewed about the 2016 presidential prospects of her son Jeb, the former governor of Florida. Remarkably, she said, “I think it’s a great country, there are a lot of great families, and it’s not just four families or whatever. There are other … 0

Ilan Korman: Support override, support better backing for education

Friday, May 24, 2013

To the editor: In the wake of Northampton’s budget deficit, public school administrators have been left with no choice but to snip away at vital educational programs. Among the first teaching positions to be cut are those in the many art departments across the district. These classes range from performing arts to visual arts to technological arts — all of which are important … 0

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Gazetteer Blog »

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

The making of our ‘The Cost of Choice’ series
May 23, 2013 04:20PM
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 »
jeyoung wrote:
12:21 AM EST

Amherst Regional High School is now 14-5 (not 13-7), with one game to be made up against Longmeadow. Asher Young has allowed...(full comment)

Friday’s high school baseball/softball: Smith Academy teams roll in Hatfield
observer wrote:
11:15 PM EST

The $1.2 million should be returned to the Hatfield taxpayers who built the schools and pay Robert's and others salaries. Instead we...(full comment)

Hatfield: Case study in receiving end of school choice
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Teen taste in footwear focus of downtown mural in Amherst
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Day care center finds new home
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Adrienne Pascucci, Northampton confident entering championships
From Sports »
Amherst eliminates rival Northampton from playoff contention
From Sports »
Chutney tacos? You betcha! Top chefs offer up fresh takes on taco night
From Living »
Lou & Lucy’s Leftovers: There’s more than one way to cook an asparagus
From Living »
Art People: Bruce Watson | satirist, biographer
From Arts & Entertainment »
Williston alum Rafael Cortina wins Student Academy Award
From Arts & Entertainment »

Darryl Clark: Time to embrace progress and growth in Amherst

Friday, May 17, 2013

To the editor: I love Amherst, but we have trouble making pro-business decisions. It costs us in tax collection and in decreased school funding. Some years ago, we rejected a real parking garage, a short-sighted decision that made parking worse in town. Recently, we rejected smart growth/zoning in … 0

Sara Elkins & Mark Cote: Preserve founder’s mission at Smith Vocational

Sunday, May 19, 2013

To the editor: We have never seen so many Northampton public school administrators put in their resignations during the same year. There are people leaving and the Northampton school board is struggling as is, with these changes, how are they realistically going to take on the day-to-day budget … 0

Jeff Lacy, Jon Thompson and Paul Vlach: Why did Shutesbury need to increase taxes?

Friday, May 17, 2013

To the editor: Fewer than 100 residents made major decisions at Shutesbury’s Town Meeting May 4. For at least the fourth consecutive year, everyone’s property taxes were raised by the maximum allowable, 2.5 percent, or $108,000 this time. The increase will show up in our tax bills, but … 0

Editorial: Finish the job on rental oversight

Friday, May 17, 2013

Ten years ago, Amherst’s health department set up a system to register rental units. Because it lacked enforcement power, only 700 properties were listed, roughly 44 percent of the number of rental properties, including complexes, in town today. It is time to finish the work through passage at … 0

Deborah Keisch Polin & Tim Scott: The high price of charters

Friday, May 17, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — Once again, the Northampton public schools are facing a budget crisis. In a series of meetings in April, the mayor discussed a $1.3 million deficit for the city. What is rarely pointed out in budget discussions is that the amount that the school system pays to … 0

Max Hartshorne Readuponit: Lewiston, Maine, is full of optimists and big dreamers 

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Readuponit: Travel and Voracious Reading By Max Hartshorne Jack and I arrived in Auburn Thursday and checked into the Hilton Garden Inn. Then we set out to explore this city, which combined with Auburn across the river has about 84,000 residents. The first thing we noticed were some … 0

Jack Hirsch: Why has town of Amherst retreated from Master Plan?

Friday, May 17, 2013

To the editor: We in Amherst are very sensitive to the accusation of being “unfriendly” to business, and thus anti-development. It seems that we are finally at the point at which we accept any development, and questioning it “proves” we are against development and against expanding the tax … 2

Michael Howard: Time for ‘Retreat’ sides to come together

Friday, May 17, 2013

To the editor: On April 16, over 50 residents of Amherst met with the representatives of Landmark Properties at Jones Library where we learned of their intention to build 191 houses for over 700 students on 150 acres owned by Cinda Jones that directly abuts Cushman Village. At … 0

John Olson: Urge U.S. Rep. Neal to back expanded gun checks

Friday, May 17, 2013

To the editor: Nine in 10 Americans support expanded background checks to reduce gun violence, but the gun lobby is working overtime to kill any meaningful legislation such as H.R. 1565 in the U.S. Congress. We need to urge U.S. Rep. Richard Neal to support expanding background checks … 0

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

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