Jeff Lee: No qualms about highlighting ‘mismanagement, waste and deception’

The Jones Library in Amherst. GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

Published: 04-25-2025 11:25 AM

I write to correct inaccuracies in the April 23 Gazette article, “In letter to Trump, DOGE, Jones Library opponent seeks cancellation of grant for humanities center in building.” I am the opponent.

For starters, the letter was sent to neither DOGE nor the Trump administration. It was directed to the Inspector General of the National Endowment of the Humanities and to the Congressional DOGE Caucus which describes itself as a bipartisan group of representatives leading government efficiency initiatives. Amherst residents have described the $46.1 million Jones Library renovation-expansion as a boondoggle, a white elephant and a vanity project. I wouldn’t think that a citizen questioning the wisdom of investing such an excessive quantity of public funds is worthy of a hit piece.

The Gazette article implies that I wrote on behalf of a group of project opponents. As should have been clear from my signature, I wrote the letter on behalf of nobody but myself.

I am not the first to suggest that the Civil War Tablets would be more appropriately housed in an outdoor shelter where they are available to be viewed when the library is closed.

I learned about the construction bid protest after listening to the recent Jones Library Trustees meeting, and do not know who is behind it.

The story has the effect of painting me as a racist, anti-DEI, Musk-supporting MAGA Republican. None of these are true, as I took pains to point out in my letter.

I have no qualms about highlighting mismanagement, waste and deception associated with the proposed library project.

The Gazette should stop acting as the public relations arm of the Jones Library Capital Campaign and focus on balanced, fact-based journalism.

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