Keep up the clean air fight

Years ago your paper blew the whistle on pollution generated by Monsanto located off Route 141 a short distance west of the proposed Palmer Paving Biomass debacle, (“EPA Fines Springfield? Corporate Citizens?” Jan. 15, 2013). My tax paying family has lived continuously within this neighborhood since 1896 — long before there was a Monsanto or Palmer Paving (1955). Monsanto generated a burning burial pit of toxic materials and noxious fumes for the eastern neighborhood section. And now to the west Palmer Paving proposes further air pollution, which will only increase breathing issues amongst the neighborhood asthmatics and breathing challenged (“Between the Lines: No Room for Biomass in Clean Future” March 17-23, 2016). The Pioneer Valley has documented asthma issues, but we are disposable like Love Canal, New York. Money talks. Thanks, Advocate, for your continued interest and support.

— S.W. Liszka

Springfield

Thank you, Buz

Editor’s note: Web comment on “Time to Close Guantanamo? After 10 years defending detainees, Buz Eisenberg says not so fast”

Buz, we admire what you have done towards human justice. So important.  Thank you

— Donna Elwell

Uncomfortable with transgender

Regardless of how a person feels inside, the person should use the bathroom based on gender anatomy (“Between the Lines: Indignant in Short, Bathroom Bill, East Longmeadow, and Rattlesnakes,” March 24-30, 2016). Although personally I am not uncomfortable with a universal bathroom — male/female simultaneous use — there are others who are uncomfortable with it, but not for fear of “deranged child rapists.” They are simply uncomfortable peeing in the presence of the opposite gender in the same room. Also, should a transgender male be allowed participation on female sports team? The editor is one angry woman.

— Jack Onan

Northampton

Paradise lost?

I’ve worked downtown for the past few years. I’ve talked to many locals. I’ve heard from workers and business owners. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. There are a lot of empty store fronts. Way too many. So many stores have closed recently. I can name almost 10 off the top of my head. Foot traffic is down. Pan handling is up. Aggressive ticketing is front and center. The old Spoleto space is still empty … it’s been years. There’s $2 million dollars for a new Pulaski Park, too. I hope it has a beautiful water fountain for that price. I’m not sure a new park is really going to bring people to Northampton, though. It certainly won’t make downtown as unique as it once was. Northampton used to be a serious destination besides just food. Don’t get me wrong, the food is good. And the music venues are great. But what really separates Northampton anymore? Northampton had a “words and pictures” museum long before superheroes were popular. Downtown also used to have a movie theater. This is the perfect place for a theater, lots of films were shot in Northampton. For the price of the park we could have built two theaters. I’m not sure who’s making all the decisions for Northampton’s overall economic health, but there might need to be more creativity or reaching out to the community and business owners about ideas that will boost business as well as make Northampton unique again. Northampton needs something special that will bring people into the downtown area if it wants to continue to compete and stay vibrant for years to come.

— Chris Tucker

Holyoke