Opinion
Guest column: UMass protest response review was just a whitewash
By KEVIN A. YOUNG
Guest columnist Al Norman: Shutesbury and Wendell appeal seizure of our home rule
By AL NORMAN
Scott Barton: Trying to throw kindness off a cliff
In many churches this past Sunday, people heard Luke’s story where Jesus walks into his hometown synagogue and is handed the Isaiah scroll, from which he read about good news to the poor, prisoners, blind and oppressed. Everybody was impressed because he had made headlines in a neighboring town, and they wanted the same action for themselves.
: Time to get what things done?
With regard to the Jan. 30 letter ”Time to get things done,” I agree it is time to get things done. The question is what things?
Darcy Dumont: A year of climate wake-up calls
By DARCY DUMONT
Judi Fonsh: The lights go out
As the lights go out around us we must continue to fight and not give up, although it is so overwhelming. As I try to continue to struggle with the unbelievable assaults, as we must do, I am struck by how much energy goes into the fight — rather than the providing of services — he and his henchpeople are creating. They hope that this will wear us down, I hope it won’t, but I worry so much for those in need who live in fear and simultaneously are not provided with what they need to survive.
Guest column: Privilege and loss in LA’s Palisades
By JAMIE ROWEN
Guest columnist Peter Lambdin: On some things, there’s just no middle ground
By PETER LAMDIN
Guest column: DCR should abandon Shutesbury cutting plans
By LYNNE MAN, NANCY POLAN and DALE LABONTE
Barry De Jasu: Do people really think Trump cares about them?
Day one of the second Donald Trump presidency has passed. On it, Trump promised start helping people immediately. Let’s look at just what he did do on his first day.
Amherst Public Shade Tree Committee: Build for people and trees in Amherst
The Amherst Public Shade Tree Committee would like to express our belief that Amherst must create zoning regulations that encourage space for trees and pedestrians. and preserves frontage space adequate for mature trees in downtown and village centers. When buildings are set too close to roads — as seen downtown at apartment complexes on Triangle and Spring Streets — the resulting environment becomes harsh and unfriendly. The public sidewalks are pushed against tall buildings and there is insufficient land to support mature shade trees. Even if trees and shrubs are planted, they may not survive where the space is inadequate.
Teresa Amabile: Healey’s shameful budget proposals
There is much to applaud in the budget proposal that Gov. Maura Healey released on Wednesday, such as funding to implement the state’s Student Opportunity Act, but I am alarmed that two provisions in this budget could bring real harm to some of the most vulnerable residents of our commonwealth.
Jeffrey Fishman: Violence toward police normalized
It will be recorded in the archives of history that on Jan. 21, 2025, the events of Jan. 6, 2021, were whitewashed from the legal record. Concurrently, violence against police officers and destruction to government property was condoned and pardoned.
Columnist Russ Vernon-Jones: No tax cuts for billionaires
By RUSS VERNON-JONES
The U.S. is the wealthiest country in the world. Our economy has been tremendously productive and our total wealth has grown dramatically. Yet millions of people in the U.S. don’t have enough to eat; millions lack adequate homes; and millions still lack health insurance. We seem unable to adequately fund our schools or to find the funds to address the climate crisis.
Guest columnist Marietta Pritchard: Remembering Pepper and her special toy
By MARIETTA PRITCHARD
Guest columnist John Varner: Where were you when repression took hold?
By JOHN VARNER
Guest columnist Sarena Neyman: Dialogue about greed long overdue
By SARENA NEYMAN
Richard S. Bogartz: Of balance and resistance
By RICHARD S. BOGARTZ
Despite my efforts to avoid old people, primarily for fear they would die and fall over on me, possibly causing me to also fall even though I’m a mere 88, I managed to fall over anyway. Completely on my own. Alone.
John Page: Keep Amherst thriving — Invest in local creativity, commerce, and community in town center
On the precipice of a new quarter-century, where do we stand? Amherst remains both a quintessential New England college town and a vibrant global village. Downtown boasts 45-plus eateries serving flavors from around the world, unique boutiques, and top-notch museums and cultural institutions including Amherst Cinema, The Drake, and the Jones Library.
Judy Roncalli: Bah, humbug
’Twas the fifth day before Christmas when a notice was delivered to each and every home of the Hadley Housing Authority, home to 40 elderly and disabled people. Lights were blinking it must be the season!