Opinion

Letter: It's not Us vs Them

I have been very disappointed in the rhetoric around the school budget. The issue began when the School Committee spent one-time COVID money on ongoing costs like teacher salaries. That was a mistake on their part that is causing the current...

Guest columnist Josh Silver: Northampton school budget — Let’s start with kindness, accuracy and respect

By JOSH SILVER

The debate over Northampton school funding is the latest example of the circular firing squad of the American political left. According to the loudest voices for maximum school funding, anyone who points out that the budget recently approved by the...

Kurt Heidinger: Biden breaking law, not students

Because our president, with votes of support from our Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey, is breaking the law, our nation is lawless; and instead of him our college students are, for demanding he obey the law, being arrested and processed as...

Kathy Gregg: You go, students!

I am full of admiration for the UMass students who are demonstrating on campus demanding that the university divest from American companies that make weapons Israel uses against Palestinians.I commend them for cooperating with the university’s demand...

Terry Mollner: A different two-state solution

There is an easy solution to the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians, but it necessitates as new way of thinking of a nation.The conflict is over both claiming the same land is their homeland. They could both continue to do that and...

Jennifer James: Schooling our city

What will Northampton’s future educational identity be? What is that identity now?Those charging that supporters of level funding for our city schools are simply asking for other services to be short-changed are refusing to accept that the future of...

Sanjay Arwade: A great day for Amherst Youth BaseballAnother spring, another great day for Amherst Youth Baseball at Lorden Field at UMass. Once again, the Minutemen and Coach Matt Reynolds were gracious hosts, bringing more than 70 youngsters into their pregame huddle and out onto the field for the National Anthem.To top it off, the Minutemen defeated St. Joe’s as part of a weekend sweep with Amherst native and Amherst Youth Baseball alum Justin Masteralexis as the starting pitcher.The Minutemen are putting together a nice season and we encourage everyone to go out and support them at Lorden Field.Sanjay ArwadePresident, Amherst Youth Baseball

Another spring, another great day for Amherst Youth Baseball at Lorden Field at UMass. Once again, the Minutemen and Coach Matt Reynolds were gracious hosts, bringing more than 70 youngsters into their pregame huddle and out onto the field for the...

The Mahoneys: In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, we wish to thank the Northampton teachers, paraprofessionals, service providers, staff, and administrators who continually strive to lift up students with special needs.We acknowledge the effort and hard work...

Karen Gardner: We all deserve a break

‘Up in the sky! Look! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Superman!Sorry Superman, it’s a bird. But not just any bird, it’s one among many that hasn’t been seen here since last fall. It’s the yearly migration of these birds back from warmer climes to our...

Letter: Early morning bullhorn obnoxious

I absolutely support the right of L3Harris protesters to picket and make their voices heard. What I don’t support is members of the group yelling through a bullhorn before 7 a.m.There are many neighbors around this plant; no doubt some are unwell or...

Steve Bloom: Guest columnist wrong about Israel

In his latest analysis of the ongoing tragedy in the Middle East, guest columnist Joe Gannon [“Sees changes for Israel,” May 4] declares “Israel’s right to exist is not in danger as a nation state. It is too powerful and has nukes. Period.” Wow,...

Joanna Buoniconti: The existential crisis of graduation season

This coming weekend, I will roll my wheelchair across the stage at the Shubert Theatre and officially receive my master of arts degree from Emerson College. All of the hard work and late nights from the last eight seasons will, once again, be in the...

John Sheehan: A country of immigrants

We are a country of immigrants: for immigrants, of immigrants, built by immigrants, often giving their lives for our country, working hard, paying into Social Security but not eligible to receive any.Creating more immigrants every day by giving bombs...

Guest columnist Cathy McNally: Northampton School Committee standing up for children

By CATHY MCNALLY

 I’ve often appreciated the measured perspective, wry humor, and rich language of Bill Dwight. In his recent column, “How to make sense of Northampton’s school budget dilemma,” however, this cool “city father” turns into a cranky municipal dad whose...

Guest column: Serving educational needs shouldn’t be ‘aspirational’

By MICHAEL STEIN

The School Committee recently passed a level services budget requiring an increase in its share of the city’s budget. My colleagues and I voted 8-1 — with the mayor abstaining — to pass this budget. We did so because we understand the challenges...

Letter: Commonsense/Common Good

Kudos to Northampton School Committee member Karen Foster Cannon for her vote against a proposed Northampton Public Schools budget that would increase spending by 17%, necessitating deep cuts in other city services [“Board takes stand for no school...

Letter: No taxation without representation

The students of Frontier Regional make a compelling argument to lower the voting age to 16. Actuarially speaking, a 16-year-old has a far greater stake in the decisions made by our elected officials than a 60-year-old does.There is another compelling...

Guest columnist Terrence McCarthy: Yard sale blues

By TERRENCE MCCARTHY

 As my wife, Donna, and I were hauling assorted items out of our house and garage in North Carolina the other day, I couldn’t help but try to recollect if anyone I knew growing up in Easthampton ever did what we were doing: preparing for a yard sale.I...

Letter: Support the Zoning Amendment for a Better Northampton

Prime Northampton real estate that has the potential to improve the entire community isn’t available for development very often.In 2010, the decision to relocate Kollmorgen (now L3 Harris) to the former State Hospital grounds prevented the South...

My Turn: Gaza and lies

By NANCY GROSSMAN

 Say, “I don’t believe the numbers.” Insist “It’s complicated.”Say, “There is no alternative. Hamas has called for the destruction of the state of Israel and thus, Hamas must be destroyed.” Disregard the Israeli leaders who have called for the...