opinion, column

How Hairston House gives back

Daily Hampshire Gazette — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:00:00 -0400

NORTHAMPTON - In the wake of recent announcements about Hairston House and the prospect for its continued service to the community, I have received phone calls from former residents and community supporters asking, "What next?"

Alexandra Dawson: Decisions, decisions ... decisions?

Daily Hampshire Gazette — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 05:00:00 -0400

HADLEY - I have been studying how surrounding communities make important policy decisions: who makes them, how else could they be handled and what are the side effects. It is a vexing business worth more attention. Here are some examples.

FCC's broadband plan opens shining opportunities for U.S.

AP Wire — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 05:00:00 -0400

SAN JOSE, Calif. - People the world over love the Internet - and no wonder. It creates opportunities, which in turn creates jobs and wealth.

On charter school's challenge

Daily Hampshire Gazette — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:00:00 -0400

AMHERST - Before responding to the Gazette editorial about "A pioneering charter school," (Feb. 27) I had to calm down so I didn't write something I'd regret. Actually, I'm still as outraged as I was the day I read the editorial.

Community responds to columnist's account of childhood bullying, abuse

Daily Hampshire Gazette — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:00:00 -0400

EDITOR'S NOTE: After writing a March 3 guest column on the bullying and abuse she faced as a child in Northampton, Susan Adelson received expressions of concern and support from many in the community. We asked her to describe those responses.

'Z' word worth understanding

Joel Russell — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 05:00:00 -0400

NORTHAMPTON - "Zzzzzzoning." As local radio personality Bill Dwight has observed, the word itself sounds like a sleep aid. But most people just don't realize how important zoning is, and how many of the controversies that have confounded our city in the past several years have roots in our outdated zoning code.

Counting heads in prison

Daily Hampshire Gazette — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:00:00 -0400

Should the census count inmates as residents of the prisons where they're held - often hundreds of miles from home? Or should they be tallied as citizens of the cities or counties they came from?