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If what is transpiring in the United States was the subject of a novel or a portending thesis it would be rejected and mocked as incredible. That hundreds of legislators, the Supreme Court and the Justice Department would succumb to the Trumpian cult and ignore the Constitution, stare decisis, their oaths of office, and participate in the devolution of democracy would be out of the realm of possibility.

By JIM PALERMO

I began writing this on June 2, in response to John Huer’s guest column, “Our job anxiety: Chain that shackles us all.” In the column Mr. Huer – one of my favorite contributors to this page – asserts that “… we have become so enslaved to our jobs that we have lost everything that makes us human.”

One of the most insufferable aspect of this insufferable time is being assaulted by “experts” on the U.S. Constitution — that includes the corrupt buffoons on this miserable iteration of the supreme court (lower case by choice.) I can’t claim a law degree and I’m not friends with Elon Musk or the others feeding on our hallowed traditions. I’m just a simple old guy who bases my understanding of what is constitutional on four simple words in the preamble: “promote the general welfare.” If a decision doesn’t do that, then it ain’t constitutional, Clarence. I once went on a tour of James Madison’s home. The guide took us to Madison’s library, which he called “the most important room in American history.” Madison spent two years in that room reading every founding document through history in order to outline our Constitution. Little did he imagine that his brilliance would trickle down to the orange king with origami hair in the Oval Office.

Recently, nearly 200 donors, legislators and media representatives toured our Emergency Department (ED) at Cooley Dickinson Hospital (“Cooley’s new ‘front door’ on display,” Gazette, June 7). Our long-awaited project, which is being completed in phases, expands the ED by 40%. It features new equipment, more private rooms and a floor plan designed with patients in mind. Earlier this year, we opened a dedicated space to provide a calm, healing environment for those needing mental and behavioral health support. Additional ambulance bays await our region’s EMS teams as they bring patients to our ED. The new addition opens in July and renovations in the existing ED continue through early 2026. Our ED is open throughout the project.

It was predicted that there would be a falling out of Donald Trump and Elon Musk. What wasn’t imagined or hypothesized was the extent and viciousness of the war. Almost simultaneous to this feud, but not as prominently reported, is the vicious attack Trump has made upon Leonard Leo. Leo, the architect and leader of the Federalist Society influenced and aided Trump in filling the Supreme Court with hand-picked conservative judges who have enabled and empowered Trump in his quest for exclusive power and riches. But the justices may have a greater allegiance to Leo and their tenure will surpass Trump’s presidential term. This battle will be by surrogates of Leo in the Supreme Court and members of Congress, who fear being challenged by candidates subsidized by Musk. Trump may have met his match finally and may succumb to this attack upon his agenda, his competence and his hold upon the three branches of government. Fending off Musk and Leo may be the greatest onslaught Trump has ever experienced and may be end of the Trumpian era.

The Gazette published a propagandandistic hit piece on April 30 targeting a member of our community for offering a prayer, as ordained clergy do, for those enduring history’s first live-streamed Holocaust. While the plea for a toothless, liberal movement that includes the line “Hands Off NATO” and attracts members of Congress to speak to their crowds of clapping seals is about as likely to include the cause of Palestine as a virgin is to give birth (forgive me, Father Scalia), it’s interesting that milquetoast commentary invoked such vitriol from someone who claims to “hate war.”

By ALEXA LEWIS

SOUTHAMPTON — Voters rejected two tax overrides at Tuesday’s town election that would have provided funds to pay for preconstruction costs for a new public safety complex, and to cover unexpected costs at Norris Elementary School.

By ALEXA LEWIS

SOUTHAMPTON — As the town election nears on Tuesday, uncertainty is brewing among many residents over a town proposal to construct a new public safety complex.

By ALEXA LEWIS

EASTHAMPTON — Digital equity efforts are taking off in Easthampton, with new digital education opportunities in the works, technology lending opportunities and more.

By ALEXA LEWIS

EASTHAMPTON — Three Easthampton farms have been recognized by The Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation as recipients of this year’s Local Farmer Awards. Underline Farm, Mountain View Farm and Park Hill Orchard are among the 116 recipients of the community-funded grant initiative, which aims to support farm improvements across western Massachusetts.

By ALEXA LEWIS

SOUTHAMPTON — Town Meeting voters approved an $897,000 general override to cover unanticipated costs at Norris Elementary School on Tuesday night, a decision that will prevent the elimination of 10 full-time school positions if it passes at the Town Election on May 20.

As Southampton prepares to vote on a Proposition 2½ override for William E. Norris School, it’s critical to understand this isn’t a failure of budgeting— it’s exactly how the system is designed to work. Proposition 2½ was passed in 1980 to limit the growth of property taxes, but it wisely included a democratic safeguard: the local override. It allows residents to decide when additional investment is necessary to protect essential services. That’s not a loophole — it’s the process. The $897,069 override request is not about expanding programs. It’s about maintaining existing services in the face of rising, unavoidable costs: $311,706 in contractual salary obligations, $284,258 for special education mandates, $119,847 for shared administrative costs, $167,959 loss of federal REAP and Circuit Breaker funding. Without this override, Norris will lose the equivalent of 10 full-time positions, resulting in larger class sizes, reduced programming, and fewer supports for students.

Disgraced former U.S. Rep. George Santos’ 87-month sentence is well deserved, and there is scant disapproval from Democrats as well as Republicans. This is how a properly functioning House of Representatives and the courts respond to a lying, manipulative, thieving politician.

By ALEXA LEWIS

SOUTHAMPTON — At the annual Town Meeting on May 6, residents will weigh in on the town’s roughly $24 million fiscal 2026 budget – including whether to approve an $879,000 override to cover unexpected costs at Norris Elementary School. 

By ALEXA LEWIS

WESTFIELD — Jupiter Power has withdrawn its plans for a lithium battery energy storage system (BESS) in Westfield, over the Barnes Aquifer, after months of resistance from area residents.

By ALEXA LEWIS

SOUTHAMPTON — The town’s yearlong 250th anniversary celebration is going strong, with a lineup of community events available this spring.

By ALEXA LEWIS

SOUTHAMPTON — This weekend, the First Congregational Church of Southampton will celebrate Easter in a non-traditional way — by holding a standout for democracy.

By ALEXA LEWIS

SOUTHAMPTON — The town’s 2025 municipal election ballot is taking shape, with interested candidates putting their names forth both through nomination papers and the Annual Town Caucus.

It’s only a matter of time before President Donald Trump offers refugee status to any foreign national who is willing to pay an entrance fee to an unspecified American account and buys real estate from the Trump property inventory. Naturally, the price of the real estate will be determined by a bidding war that will immediately enhance its value.

By ALEXA LEWIS

EASTHAMPTON — The city is moving along in its search for a new police chief. Four candidates, both internal and external, have advanced into the next stage of assessment.

By JIM PALERMO