Just wondering:

  • WHERE have you gone Ray LaBarge?
  • IF local media outlets covering high school athletes as if these athletes are professionals is a wise move. Next thing you know students will be hawking Bic shavers or acne treatments.
  • IF the Look Park fountain needs a facelift.
  • IF Charles Baker will stick around for more than one term if he wins the governor’s race.
  • HOW much money pours into to local elections from out of town.
  • IF it really is possible to end homelessness.
  • IF bringing high speed internet access to Western Massachusetts’ rural communities will result in more sprawl development.
  • IF Northampton City Councilors and other board members will ever have city sponsored email accounts.
  • HOW many false alarms the Northampton Fire Department responds to each year.
  • IF City School should be open to the media.
  • HOW politicians and their supporters who sling mud during an election can somehow expect their opponents to disagree without being disagreeable after.
  • IF we should be thanking taxpayers in addition to politicians and appointed officials for bringing the area new bike paths and bridges.
  • WHERE the money to maintain these bike trails will come from over the years.
  • IF former Zoning Revisions Committee member Joel Russell is on to something with his conflict of interest claims regarding Dennis Bidwell’s dual roles with the Northampton Chamber of Commerce and the Zoning Revisions Committee.
  • IF Charter Schools help or hurt.
  • IF the Yankees can do it yet again.
  • IF cutting the state sales tax to 3% from 6.25% would increase consumer spending enough to offset the state’s fiscal losses and increase job opportunities which would increase both state and federal income tax collections. See deadweight loss for example.
  • IF comparing the salaries and benefits of public and private sector employees is like comparing apples and chestnuts.
  • IF Jill Stein should get tougher in the gubernatorial debates.
  • IF the introduction of resort style gaming in Massachusetts will increase job opportunities in the social services industry.
  • IF the partisan polarization of our politics and media outlets brings the best dialog.
  • IF Northampton’s downtown renaissance would have happened without Interstate 91.
  • IF people have forgotten the golden rule, “those who have the gold make the rules.”
  • IF the Boston Globe will eliminate those annoying popup windows once they commence online charges for use of its website.
  • WHAT is to become of St. Mary’s Church.
  • IF any other Northampton officials are planning a jump over to Amherst.
  • IF officials from a District Attorney’s office should engage faculty, staff and students in a public school system.