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In 1939, the flooding of the Quabbin Reservoir began, drowning four western Massachusetts towns to quench Boston’s thirst for growth. In a way, history is about to repeat itself, this time in pursuit of green energy dollars.Boston politicians and...

By IAN RHODEWALT

 While it is true that President Joe Biden gave a historically disastrous debate performance, and the fallout in the following week put his chances of winning r-election in distinct jeopardy, we should not forget that he has been funding, abetting,...

I saw with regret that features writer Steve Pfarrer was retiring after many, many years of service to the Gazette and the arts communities. I do not begrudge him his retirement in any way, but I shall miss his writing very much. Thank you, Steve, and...

This past year the League of Women Voters of Amherst was proud to give out a total of $4,000 to two different local initiatives. Amherst Regional Public Schools teacher Tim Austin received a grant for The Civic Literacy and Organizing Project to...

By RAYMOND DIDONATO

 Dana. Enfield. Greenwich. Prescott. To the casual observer visiting the trails of the Quabbin Reservoir from eastern Massachusetts during leaf peeping season, these names represent quaint roads for walking in the woods. But to most people living in...

UMass Amherst Chancellor Javier Reyes has again demonstrated that he should resign. Reyes made the ill-advised decision to call in the State Police in riot gear to arrest students and faculty members peacefully protesting in support of Palestinians....

By JOSEPH LEVINE

A common theme in the justification for the violent police raids on the pro-Palestine encampments on campuses across the country, including my own at UMass Amherst, has been their alleged antisemitic character and the consequent feelings of being...

Two decades ago, Republicans harnessed American symbols to secure George W. Bush a second term, persuading voters that supporting him equated to backing the nation and its troops. Through ubiquitous stars and stripes branding, they cemented their...

I urge the Town Council to support the motion by Cathy Schoen, to stop the library project by telling the town manager to not sign a contract with FAA architects, so that there will not be another $500,000-plus spent on more “value engineering” to...

I am writing to express my appreciation for columnist Tolley Jones, but also for all your regular columnists. Facing what we all know are limited resources, you consistently present compelling journalism on your opinion page. The latest example is...

By AUSTIN SARAT and SHARON SHARRY

 The Jones Library trustees remain convinced that the proposed library renovation and expansion project represents the right vision for Amherst’s main library. This vision has been repeatedly endorsed by town residents and their government. Put...

Even with proposed cuts to the Jones Library renovation and expansion plans, the result will be a net-zero ready building. Plans remain in place to eliminate the fossil fuel HVAC system. Solar panels were not in the original bid documents; the...

By CATHY SCHOEN

 When I voted to support the Jones Library expansion project in December 2023, I was assured there was high confidence in the $46 million total estimate and that trustees would be able to close the $7 million gap that remained to pay for their share...

When I read about the current plans for the renovation of the Jones library, it sounds more like the description of a second Bangs Community Center, a building with only a nod to history (front façade retained), a massed building at the back with...

The classical music CD collection at the Jones library was one of its treasures as befits a music-loving community. Sadly , it has been culled to the point where it no longer covers basic repertoire items.Each time I look for a CD I borrowed in the...

By MARIETTA PRITCHARD

Nothing surprises me more than the advancing ages of our sons. Your own age is a given, and somehow you get used to it, and in my case at least, tend to anticipate the next annual changeover. I think of myself now as 88, although that won’t officially...

Please do not spend more money on a project that no longer has majority community support. At the very least suspend all spending on this project until another town wide referendum is held. If $2 million dollars had been spent on creative and...

I have hesitated taking a public position about the expansion of the Jones Library, even though it seems a reach too far, more than we can afford, especially given the branch libraries and top-notch academic libraries to which many of us have access....

Regarding your insulting editorial cartoon on Monday, May 13, how would your readers respond if that trashcan had Democratic Party candidate on it instead of third party? Interesting how those claiming to value democracy have no clue what it is. The...

I was a participating member of the UMass Faculty Senate vote of no-confidence in the Chancellor Javier Reyes on Monday. I entered the meeting with an open mind and a desire to hear from both sides of opinion that would frame the vote. Instead, I have...