When a parade becomes a circus
The Fourth of July parade controversy is taking us down a strange path. Do we really want to go there? And would we recognize it, if all the current persons and passions were removed?
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April 24, 2008
January 22, 2008
Depends how you define responsibility
If the Budget Coordinating Group shouldn’t try to identify and advocate for whatever it believes is the best course of action for Amherst, then what is the point?
October 16, 2007
Variations on a theme
The October 15th Select Board meeting keeps the topic of that body’s role front and center.
September 09, 2007
Learning a lesson on Lincoln
The arrangement of the Lincoln Ave. traffic cushions isn’t the problem – it is a symptom of a larger problem. The Select Board does not recognize its proper role, and the Town Manager isn’t helping.
August 21, 2007
Evaluating the Town Manager
The Select Board is seeking public comment for the Town Manager’s evaluation. Here is one submission.
July 31, 2007
Pondering Town Meeting
Town Meeting needs to become more relevant in order to be more effective. But how?
May 02, 2007
Musings for May
Here's a collection of thoughts on local current events.
April 27, 2007
Vote Yes on May 1st
The override finances a three-year plan, and that plan is an important opportunity for Amherst.
March 24, 2007
Blaming the messenger
Critics of a new web site that endorses candidates based on their Town Meeting voting records are misdirecting their energies – unless their real preference is that voters be kept in the dark.
March 08, 2007
Undermining the override
The Select Board thought an override vote should be held later than the March 27th election to provide time to educate the public. The public isn’t the only body needing some education.
February 12, 2007
Whatever happened to "It takes a village?"
A recurring element in the discussion of school budgets is selfish and short-sighted.
February 02, 2007
Meals Tax: Always looking for a free lunch
There is plenty of talk about a possible local option meals tax. It would probably work, but is it fair?
January 24, 2007
Slow commercial growth contributes to budget crisis
The growth rate of Amherst's commercial tax base is among the lowest in the state, and this has been a major contributing factor in the budget crisis currently facing the town.
December 04, 2006
Many down sides to split tax rates
Shifting the burden of property taxation sounds like a good idea. But it only barely helps those it is intended to assist and it creates a host of new problems.
November 22, 2006
Counting the blessings
This time of year reminds us to be thankful and to appreciate all that’s good in our lives. Here’s an appreciation of some details that make life good in Amherst.
November 17, 2006
Venting the spleen
Before getting all grateful and gushy next week, we need to deal with some petty annoyances first.
November 06, 2006
It's time to tighten up the voting process
What if the biggest potential for election fraud is simple, low-tech and right under our very noses?
October 18, 2006
SME status is still being discussed but not grasped
The debate over whether or not to extend Special Municipal Employee status to town boards and committees continues. But if diversifying committee membership is the issue, this isn't the way to accomplish that.
October 13, 2006
Tying the knot
The announcement of the marriage of Anne Awad and Robie Hubley put an end to a lot of questions – and raised a few more.
October 07, 2006
Top ten reasons to attend a Master Plan session
You may have overlooked some of these important reasons to attend one of the upcoming Master Plan "Idea Gatherings."
September 30, 2006
In loss, a lesson
Even those we don't know well can be important in our lives.
