Letters

Published on July 04, 2008

Fixed from the start

To the Bulletin: In his recent column, Mr. Wehrli is wrong when he states that the longest gap for mathematics study is five months. He conveniently forgets that for those students who take a course in first and second trimester, the next course is assigned for the second and third trimester the following year. In some subjects, this may not be a problem, but in mathematics, it is a major disruption.

Mr. Wehrli also ignores the problems for students who enter from other schools after the first semester. They are in the middle of the second trimester. Students from Amherst who leave at the end of a trimester enter their new schools in the middle of a semester, or if they wait until a new semester is beginning at their new school, they are leaving in the middle of a trimester.

Finally, it is my recollection that when the trimester schedule was proposed, and to be voted on by the high school faculty, the other choices were so onerous that the trimester schedule was the best of a very bad lot. In other words, the fix was in.

Sy Friedman
Amherst

Don't forget the HCOG

To the Bulletin: Your recent editorial in the Amherst Bulletin on regionalization was very interesting. When county government was eliminated in western Massachusetts, Hampshire and Franklin county boards each created their own substitute - Hampshire and Franklin councils of government.

Franklin COG has been very successful in carrying out what they saw as its mandate to provide regional services. Hampshire COG, which you did not mention, has also been successful but in a different way.

The Hampshire COG provides regional services to towns and agencies beyond its geographic boundaries. For example, more than 50 towns, businesses and state agencies benefit from the purchase of electricity from the HCOG's Hampshire Power; and more than 80 school districts and nonprofits benefit from its cooperative purchasing department.

The point is that those Hampshire towns and agencies that would like to form cooperative alliances for services don't need to reinvent the wheel. They can call the Hampshire COG and talk to their experienced staff to find out how they can be of help.

Frieda Howards
Amherst

Fluoride decried by kidney group

To the Bulletin: Your readers may like to know that the National Kidney Foundation has withdrawn its support for water fluoridation. People with impaired kidneys retain more fluoride in their bodies, which increases the risk of skeletal fluorosis, fractures and severe enamel fluorosis.

The NFK's April 15, 2008, statement concludes, "Individuals with chronic kidney disease should be notified of the potential risk of fluoride exposure. More than 20 million Americans have CKD, and most don't even know it. More than 20 million others are at increased risk for developing CKD."

Amherst's water is fluoridated.

Michael F. Dolan
Belchertown

Trees need you

To the Bulletin: Trees along the Amherst streets are in dire circumstances. Many, if not most, are so dry that their leaves are drooping. A few have gone further, developing brown curling edges. This means they will be dead shortly. Some trees, although they leafed out a bit in the spring, have actually died already this summer.

The drooping trees need deep watering and they need it immediately. Yet, the town of Amherst has budgeted nothing for tree watering. The town only has budget for cutting down dead trees.

Since adequate watering of our Amherst trees is beyond the capability of the town, I am putting out a call for volunteers to get together with the Amherst Neighborhood Tree Stewards now forming. However, this call also goes out to Amherst businesses that have a tree in front of their property. They, too, need to volunteer and participate in saving the lovely shade trees of our town.

Please volunteer. Call me at 253-2294.

This is ot a coming crisis. It is now.

Joanne Lind
Amherst

Happy 4th, America

To the Bulletin: It's that day again ... a day of lonliness for me ... no transportation to get to Puffer's Pond, etc. Oh. I should have a positive attitude, I hear the chorus say. I have $10 left till the end of the month. Oh, yes. I almost forgot. Food prices have increased and my food stamps have been decreased from $50 to $30. Oh. I should be grateful for the $30, I hear the chorus shout.

This day of celebration, we are still in Iraq. Bush and company have not been stopped in their ruthless crimes. But of course we are having fireworks in Amherst and a parade that is more offensive to democracy than any protest sign.

We'll pay another day ... not today. It is too painful. Our hearts might break.

Happy 4th, Amherst. Maybe next year we'll wak up ... if gasoline prices rise to $10 a gallon.

Christina Rose
Amherst

School supplies needed now

To the Bulletin: While speaking with a staff member at Jessie's House (the regional homeless shelter for families), I was reminded that the need to purchase school supplies can place an additional burden on families already struggling financially.

This is especially true because purchase of the required items comes at the same time of year when families must find school clothes for growing children.

With some local stores already offering "back to school" deals on school supplies, this is an ideal time for Amherst-area residents to collect extra supplies to donate to Jessie's House and other nonprofits serving low-income families with school-aged children.

Donation of school supplies can be done at little expense to donors. In the summer months, some stores sell selected school supplies for practically nothing to woo potential customers, "dollar stores" increase their school supply offerings, and many manufacturers offer generous rebates on school supply items.

Please consider picking up extra school supplies and donating them to the nonprofit agency of your choice, or to the local school system for distribution to children who need them.

Julie Melrose
Amherst

PETA in sheep's clothing

To the Bulletin: It's unfortunate that news media and policymakers continue to mistake the wealthy and radical Humane Society of the United States for a mainstream animal welfare group ("Economy spurs pet abandonment at Dakin," June 27 Bulletin).

HSUS is a "humane society" in name only, pursuing the same fringe goals as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. It's also far richer. And maybe a little smarter.

Rather than causing spectacles with naked interns, HSUS uses its excessive funding (mostly from Americans who mistakenly believe they're supporting local pet shelters) to drive a radical animal-rights agenda. It's anti-meat, anti-hunting and even anti-medical research. And it's not affiliated with any pet shelters anywhere in the United States.

Sometimes a "humane society" isn't really a "humane society." And sometimes animal "welfare" advocates are really animal "rights" zealots in sheep's clothing.

David Martosko

Center for Consumer Freedom

research director

Washington, D.C.

Speed not the problem

To the Bulletin: I was an avid cyclist for years, even raced up Mt. Washington a few times and put on a lot training miles for that.

Mary Wentworth's proposal to lower speed limits will not make cycling safer for in my opinion speed is not the problem. The problem is that operators of motor vehicles often do not pay attention to the task at hand; many times drivers can be seen texting on cell phones, putting on mascara, looking around the floor for something they have dropped, and just plan mindless driving.

Times have changed and four good cyclists that I personally know have been struck by cars and suffered injuries, two of them severe.

So please pay attention while operating a motor vehicle for a life may depend on it. Cyclists will do their part and ride in the direction of traffic. There's enough pavement out there for everyone. Let us share and watch out for each other.

Happy travels.

Ryan Willey
Amherst

Sad, angry over Awad's leaving

To the Bulletin: I'm sad and angry that Anne Awad has been forced by the behavior of one man to leave the Select Board before her term is up. Anne is among the most intelligent, thoughtful and compassionate people I've ever met in or out of public service. I've had the privilege of working with her on matters both local and global in scope, and always found her to be both an attentive listener and a very articulate speaker. Whenever Anne spoke, it was worth the hearing, both for what she said and how she said it: respectful, to the point and well considered.

As for the behavior of Larry Kelley, I can only say we need look no farther to find Anne's polar opposite. What is it that troubles you, Mr. Kelley, that you must continually attack rather than engage in dialogue? Whether you like it or not, we are all part of the same community. We all want the best for our families, our neighbors and our surroundings, even when we happen to disagree about how to make things better. No one, including you, is either a devil or possessed of the whole truth. How about treating your neighbors with the same respect that you would want for yourself and those you love?

If there's one good thing that could come of this episode, I'd like it to be that we take a big step back from this kind of politics and engage in a genuinely civil discourse about the issues.

Michael Dover
Amherst

Another sad response

To the Bulletin: It is with great sadness that I feel the necessity to write this letter to the Bulletin.

My deepest and most heartfelt apologies to Anne Awad for what she is experiencing at this moment.

A quote in a recent news article: "The town would have been happier if she had (left) a month ago."

I can only speak for myself and say that I am most unhappy that anyone of Anne's caliber of person and dedication to Amherst should be treated so badly. After all of the years Anne has served this town, her resignation from the Select Board is a great loss.

Dade Singapuri
Amherst

Let's really get together

To the Bulletin: I was pleased to read the most recent article by the Amherst Center Trio.

It was a considerate and positive article in contrast to recent columns written by the same group. I appreciate the basic premise of the group that we should come to the center, looking for common ground, and listening carefully with an open mind to the diverse voices in our town.

Unfortunately many of their previous articles often did the opposite. Take for example "Cognitive dissonance" written last month. It seemed to me that there was no attempt to understand the point of view of those Town Meeting members who did not agree with the priorities of the Select Board, the School Committee or the Finance Committee. Worse yet, such points of view were maligned as "irrational," "a parade of truly sad stories" and exhibiting "cognitive dissonance ... contradictory or otherwise incompatible attitudes." This is not the language that invites constructive dialogue that seeks common ground.

I find it surprising that three authors seeking "the center" fail to see any merit in the position of Town Meeting members who speak out in opposition to cuts to public safety, human services, libraries, potholes and the draconian slashing of the pay and benefits of 20 employees with an average of 17 years of service to this town.

It is frightening to imagine that Town Meeting would be in perfect agreement with the Select Board and all town committees. It is further surprising that the three authors cannot appreciate that there are many people in this town with different spending priorities from theirs. It is also surprising that three authors, with years of experience in town politics, seem not to comprehend that there are numerous ways to balance our budget without an override to our already exceedingly high property taxes, and still fill the pot holes, feed the homeless, keep the Lunch Ladies, and have textbooks for the students.

I do not see "cognitive dissonance." Rather, I see an unwillingness or an inability to understand and appreciate the positions of those who disagree with their vision of how to keep our town healthy and vibrant. But then again, maybe it is not surprising. At times, we all do that. Let's not get stuck there. "Let's meet in the center. But first we need to listen, truly listen to each other." Easier said than done. Let's get to work, together.

Robert Greeney
Amherst