I am writing to clarify misinformation in a July 15 letter, “School community at stake under school plan.” The author claims that the new school building in Amherst will be too large to foster the diverse community friendships she values at Wildwood Elementary School.
In fact, the new building plan calls for two separate and distinct schools that will each have fewer students than Wildwood has now. Furthermore, the design will provide greater intimacy with both a smaller footprint and grade level clusters of three or four classrooms which will also allow for more even class sizes. The author also claims that the new school plan will diminish play space. That’s simply untrue. I urge community members to examine the designs online (www.boldamherstschools.org). They will clearly see that the plan calls for two playground areas, two play fields and two hardscape play areas. The plan also includes a large indoor “makerspace” that the current schools lack.
The new plan not only preserves community, but enhances diversity and equity. Students who are now being bused out of their neighborhoods based on their socio-economic status or special educational needs will finally have the opportunity to attend the same schools as their friends and neighbors.
Additionally, the plan allows for an increased number of preschool seats for children who cannot now afford to attend preschool. The proposed new schools best represent our community values and promotes the inclusion of all our children.
Katherine Appy
Amherst
The writer is chair of the Amherst School Committee.
Insufficient parking
remains problem
Plenty of parking spots in Amherst, a recent editorial noted, but many in spaces owned by businesses and Amherst College. That does not sound like plenty of parking to me. Instead of a second garage, how about adding the planned second level to the existing garage, as was promised when the town gave in and built the current one? And how about requiring some of the planned five-story, mixed-use buildings to have additional parking, especially for residents? Current zoning does not require it, but that can be changed. Downtowns are hurting because of lack of parking. All the studies in the world will not bring people back to downtown if they can’t park.
Don Lesser
Amherst
Nakajima knows way around government
We are fortunate to have a diverse group of candidates running to succeed Ellen Story as our representative for the 3rd Hampshire District.
Ellen has been incredibly successful in this role, representing the viewpoints of residents and providing astute and effective leadership in shepherding legislation through the process. Generally speaking, all of the candidates hold progressive views.
My experience as a past chair of the Amherst Select Board, past president of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, vice president of Holyoke Community College (retired) and as a lifelong community volunteer tells me that it is critically important to elect someone who is already familiar with state government and who can really hit the ground running to represent this district.
Eric Nakajima’s experience in Deval Patrick’s administration, coupled with his deeply felt commitment to public education, fair taxes, environmental protection and economic development, made my choice among the candidates easy.
Eric will bring energy, knowledge of how to get things done and a commitment to this district to the position. I urge your support of Eric Nakajima.
Nancy Eddy
Amherst
Vira Douangmany Cage is the best candidate to represent the 3rd Hampshire District. She is a woman with strength and determination.
Throughout her life she has taken on the job of helping others, from supporting those whose voices are not heard to advocating solutions for issues as universal as health care. She is intelligent, compassionate and the kind of person who gets things done.
These are the qualities I want in my representative.
Leslie Nyman
Pelham
la Cour will be effective state representative
I support Sarah la Cour as the Democratic Party candidate for 3rd Hampshire District representative covering Amherst and Pelham. I have known Sarah for 25 years and find her to be exactly the type of representative that should follow the exemplary record of Ellen Story. Sarah’s integrity is without question. She is trustworthy, open minded and a caring listener.
Committed to maximum citizen participation, she will ensure that decisions will be made with the utmost transparency. Sarah is committed to great public schools. She is a graduate and great supporter of the university. Moreover, she has been an active parent in the Amherst-Pelham schools. She will be a tremendous advocate on behalf of our educational needs.
Sarah is a committed supporter of maintaining the natural character of the district. As a landscape planner, she works to ensure that our open spaces, environmentally sensitive areas and farm lands are protected. Sarah has been a strong director of the Amherst Business Improvement District, working effectively to see to it that Amherst’s downtown maintains its aesthetic qualities and reputation as a place for people and to do business.
She will be a tremendous representative.
John R. Mullin
Pelham
I write in support of Lawrence O’Brien for state representative of the 3rd Hampshire District. He speaks with integrity, candor and knowledge. He is a father of three daughters and is a social studies teacher at Belchertown High School and a former Amherst and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee member.
As a school committee member, he worked tirelessly to maintain high quality education in a time of declining resources, while also embracing behind-the-scenes service work with constituents. This included advocating for children of families in subsidized housing to be able to stay enrolled when they were under threat of eviction during the school year. He knows there are no simple solutions when dealing with the social and economic challenges. He believes democracy works best through community action and has the experience and skills to work collaboratively to get things done. As a long-time activist he has advocated for teachers, paraprofessionals and support staff. He walked the picket line with Verizon workers. Lawrence does his homework when it comes to understanding all sides of an issue and looking for progressive solutions. I hope he will get your support in the Democratic primary election Sept. 8.
Ian Boyd
Amherst
