Opinion

Columnist Karen Gardner: What kind of nation are we?

By KAREN GARDNERDid you know that the Founders of our great nation wrote these words: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”?Isn’t that amazing? That’s the first line of the First...

Cathy McNally: It's good to look for gold when you need it

The people of Northampton shouldn’t be belittled as naïve for urging the city to adequately fund schools. That’s why I was surprised to hear two School Committee members mention “some people” as believing the city had a hidden “pot of gold.” And...

Rachel Wysoker: Start dreaming bigger on King Street

Thank you, Paige Bridgens and Ruth Woodring, for encouraging us to imagine something better than a car lot, even a different King Street, in your eloquent letter [“Where once there was a car lot, let there be a forest,” Gazette, April 3].I have many...

Sharon Hall-Smith: Struggle for racial justice, reparations movement growing

I appreciated the March 1 letter about reparations owed to African-Americans [“Unitarian Universalists advocating for reparations,” Gazette]. I also saw the new documentary film, “The Cost of Inheritance,” that was referenced and was very impressed by...

Jennifer Delozier: One thing you never say to a solar eclipse

“Wait one minute ... I’ll be right there!” And yes, it was spectacular!Jennifer DelozierEasthampton

Noah Daube-Valois: Save Northampton High School’s arts

One year ago, Northampton High School’s newly hired Dave Grout directed the musical “Rock Of Ages.” On opening night, he made a tear-filled speech about his 10-plus-year search for a high school theater job. Alongside music director Susan Dillard, it...

Guest columnist Craig Felton: A new bridge over the Conn. River is not asking too much

By CRAIG FELTON

 I am grateful to the Greenfield Recorder for granting me space to add to Chris Larabee’s article: “Visioning workshop considers future of downtown (Sunderland)” [Recorder, April 2]. I am quoted, rightly, as saying: “Forget about the roundabout.” I...

Mary Hall: A nightmare that continues to haunt us all

I agree with Don Michak that much more attention to the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home debacle is needed, but differ from his view that the Gazette should dig into the matter now [”Dig deeper after scandalous court ruling in Soldiers’ Home case,” Gazette,...

Patrick Gabridge: EVs fire no more dangerous than gas-powered vehicles

While I certainly appreciate coverage of the local fire departments, as well as of the changes we're seeing towards EVs in the transportation sector, the article about firefighters prepping to deal with potential fires in EVs was oddly inflammatory...

Benjamin Spencer: King Street lot full of possibilities

The large vacant lot on King Street is full of possibilities. The property abuts two densely populated neighborhoods, three regional rail trails, a wide range of retail options and it is easily accessible to downtown. This stretch of King Street is...

Alayna Van Tassel: Financial literacy is crucial throughout the year, not just in April

National Financial Literacy month is recognized in April, but personal financial literacy (PFL) education should have a place in Massachusetts schools throughout the year. When thinking about building a more equitable future for our children,...

Columnist John Sheirer: If I complain about paying my taxes …

By JOHN SHEIRER

Dear Friends,As April 15 approaches, I keep hearing complaints about paying taxes. I may not support everything the government does with the tax money I pay, but I understand the basic importance of paying taxes as part of our shared civic...

Carolyn Cushing: Easthamptonites are owed thanks for cease-fire resolution

I am grateful for my follow Easthamptonites who have worked so hard with our City Council on a cease-fire resolution. It is an incredibly diverse, knowledgeable, and ever growing group. Some members have both personal and professional experience in...

Jacob Levitt: For Northampton, Neumann is a net win

Who is the most famous professional athlete from Northampton? To me the answer is clear — Jarrod Neumann. I deeply appreciated past coverage following his success on the lacrosse field from Northampton High School to Providence College to the...

Marie Lane: The emperor has no clothes

On the very same day that Karen Bercovici’s guest column was published, the WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) files were leaked. These internal messages point to the lack of scientific evidence for the gender-affirming care...

Bill Hodgeman: Northampton mourns Bill Hairston

On Friday, March 22, Bill Hairston breathed his last breath at the age of 86. Bill, an expert in addiction therapy, served as the head counselor for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs where he treated patients, supervised counselors, and...

Guest columnist Joe Blumenthal: Path from Mideast extremism to peace elusive

By JOE BLUMENTHAL

 There is no more despair-inducing subject than the politics of the Middle East. Unfortunately, the war in Gaza brings that hopelessness to the politics of the U.S., particularly among Democrats who feel forced to take sides in what is an...

Guest columnist Katy Eiseman: Must stop subsidizing wood-fired energy

By KATY EISEMAN

 The Massachusetts Legislature is considering a bill that would once again increase subsidies for burning wood, taking the state in the wrong direction in the name of “clean” energy.Biomass energy has been a controversial topic in Massachusetts for...

Susan Tracy: Support Ukraine funding

When Congress returns next week, funding for military aid to Ukraine will be on the table in the House. However, if Speaker Mike Johnson brings Ukraine aid up for a vote which will pass, the MAGA Republicans have threatened his tenure as...

Guest columnist Gary Michael Tartakov: What antisemitism is not

By GARY MICHAEL TARTAKOV

 I have been a Jew for 83 years. Though I’ve only known it for around 78. My parents explained it to me at Christmas in 1945, as the reason that I was not going to get a Christmas tree, like my playmates, in Los Angeles. It was at the end of the...