Blogs
Tragedy twice strikes South Street
This past week was a tough one for two pet owners along busy South Street in Northampton. On Wednesday, September 30 about mid-day I saw my neighbor Jean walking slowly and gingerly along the concrete sidewalk adjacent to her house. In tow behind her was a women...Did Higgins disremember Dwight email?
Fred Contrada reports Sunday in the Springfield Republican on the Bill Dwight email in which WHMP radio show host Dwight engaged in Ad hominem attacks on the Bardsley for Mayor campaign the day after Bardsley won the preliminary election September 15 by 475...On the lighter side
200+ Monarch butterflies released in Deerfield.Does Dwight email defame those named?
The recent email circulated by WHMP radio host Bill Dwight and Northampton Mayor Mary Clare Higgins' campaign co-manager Lisa Baskin to hundreds if not thousands of people in the city of Northampton, and maybe beyond, describes numerous persons as, "angry...New local political initiative from David Pakman
This is a little dated but is an interesting initiative undertaken by David Pakman, Valley Free Radio host of Midweek Politics. You can sign up at the link or via text message. Full disclosure, I have not recieved free software in exhange for this blog entry, but...PVPC online bus survey
Subject: PVTA Bus Rider Survey – Now Online! The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission is conducting a customer satisfaction survey of PVTA bus riders who use the routes in the Northampton/UMass Amherst/Five College area (all routes in Hampshire County). Paper...Noam Chomsky speaks on polyarchy; Higgins-Bardsley square off later
I don't know much about controversial Prof. Noam Chomsky (above). I'm only vaguely familiar with his writings and have not studied his various theories. But I did run across this YouTube video of him discussing U.S. politics and found in it interesting...Social Justice Mayoral Forum a draw
Attended the Unitarian Society's Social Justice Forum Saturday. Each candidate for mayor, incumbent Mary Clare Higgins and challenger Michael Bardsley, listed off their respective resumes in the Social Justice sphere. Many of Higgins' statements concerned her...GrassRoots Recycling Network organizes Zero Waste Conference
The GrassRoots Recycling Network (GRRN) has organized the National Recycling & Zero Waste Conference in Devens, MA from October 18-21, 2009. We hope you join us in Devens. ********************************************************************** Register now for...“Buying Green Can Be License For Bad Behavior, Study Finds”
Here's something to think about. New York Times columnist Charles Blow posted an interesting link to his facebook page regarding, "buying green," and how this can lead to poor behavior on the part of the consumer. The link is from an October 9 Science...Local activists and Noam Chomsky on Health Care reform
Recently Health Care reform supporters took to the steps of Northampton's City Hall. Below Noam Chomsky speaks on United States Health Care reform.Green Street Neighborhood Block Party
Photo courtesy Ken Mitchell Friday, Oct. 16 from 5-7 pm in the Green Street Cafe Parking Lot which can be accessed via Arnold Avenue. Rain date is Saturday, Oct. 17 from 1-3 pm. Plans call for art, poetry, music, food, drink, politicians and bells. The following is a...Hamp Progressives and Mass. UAW endorse Bardsley for Mayor
Former Mayor Mary Ford and activist Frances Crowe have endorsed Michael Bardsley for Mayor of Northampton the Bardsley campaign is reporting on its website. In addition Bardsley has picked up the endorsement of the Massachusetts United Auto Workers Union. Read the...New Ward 4 Neighborhood Association forming
Ward 4 Northampton Neighborhood Association Monday – October 26 – 6:00 to 9:00 Forbes Library – Community Room Drop by for as long as you like. Arrive early for a slice of pizza and a beverage. Meet your neighbors. Meet the City Council candidates....Nicaragua and clean drinking water
Former Northampton resident Emily Mew is now living in Camoapa, Nicaragua. She recently sent this request for help. Monetary donations can be made at the Sunrise Foundation link below. They are also looking for donations of specific materials which can be viewed at...Ancestors' Nite In at Forbes Library
Find the keys to solving your family history questions at the Forbes Library's Genealogy "lock-in" Thursday October 22, 2009 6-9 PM In honor of Family History Month, join Forbes Library staff for an exclusive after hours opportunity to access the...Mimi Odgers speaks out on landfill politics
From the North Street Neighborhood Association. Partial transcript of Mimi Odgers addressing the Northampton City Council during public comment period:"[On] the mayor's website, in her issues column, it states about the landfill expansion… 'We have...Ward 2 City Councilor Paul Spector issues mea culpa on Dwight email
On Monday October 19 I discovered a message on my answering machine from Northampton's Ward 2 City Councilor Paul Spector. In his message he asked me to give him a call, so I did.Our conversation lasted but a few minutes. He said he reads Redoubt and generally...City buys Fedora property by landfill for $600,000
According to the Hampshire County Registry of Deeds, the City of Northampton has purchased another property abutting the Glendale Road landfill. Recorded Tuesday, October 20, the property was transferred from Michael and Lillian Fedora to the city for the amount of...Higgins to appear on VFR today @ 4pm, Governor Patrick weighs in
Press Release:Northampton Mayoral Candidate Mary Clare Higgins to be interviewed this Friday (Oct. 23) on the Bread & Roses Show. For a lively, provocative interview with candidate Clare Higgins with challenging questions on her mayoral record as she runs a...Wanted: Director of Community and Economic Development
With the public’s attention diverted this past spring by the Proposition 2 ½ override initiative, Northampton’s Mayor Mary Clare Higgins successfully proposed creating a new Office of Community and Economic Development and has nominated her Economic...Vidal-McNair responds to another Dwight slight
~ On his show Friday, October 23 WHMP radio show host Bill Dwight takes issue with another local political candidate. If you recall in a scathing email he attacked among others At-Large City Council Candidate Kathy Silva on September 16. This time Ward 1 challenger...Bardsley campaign releases Report on Environmental Issues
Mayoral candidate Michael Bardsley has released the following: Report on Environmental Issues PDFRacism at NHA properties alleged
~Above is a video of the Daily Hampshire Gazette sponsored Northampton Mayoral debate held recently at JFK Middle School in Florence courtesy North Street Neighborhood Association.A new front was opened by Mayoral Candidate Michael Bardsley when he was given an...W6NA & WNW City Council At-Large Candidates Debate
The Ward 6 Neighborhood Association and Water Not Waste sponsored a City Councilor At-Large debate this week at Finn-Ryan Road School. Video courtesy North Street Neighborhood Association. See more campaign videos and coverage at North Street Neighborhood Association...Shall the city of Northampton Expand the Landfill?
Guest Editorial from Water Not Waste: The following was submitted to the Daily Hampshire Gazette as a Guest Editorial on October 23rd. As of October 31st, they have chosen not to include it in their election coverage of the Opinion section of the paper. Shall the City...Northampton voters to choose leader on Nov. 3
I've been following Northampton Mayor Mary Clare Higgins' campaign print ads in the Gazette with interest. First there is self deprecating irony in referring to Higgins as a crummy mayor in a great city. Then fear is used in appealing to Anybody But Clare...Viable Alternatives to the Landfill
And why the public policy of expanding the landfill does not deal with our waste problem Guest Editorial by Jesus Leyva First I want the people reading this article to have a context for understanding where this piece of writing comes from and why I wrote it. I...From Dee Boyle-Clapp: Save the Chesterfield Road Dam
Dear Friends, Please help save an important part of our community and our landscape. The Upper Roberts Meadow Reservoir and the Dam located on Chesterfield Road in Florence are slated for removal. This nearly 130-year old dam may be removed as early as the SUMMER of...Wishful thinking; Higgins claims no city divisions
As I wrote a few entries ago, about 5,000 voters determined the direction this city of 28,000+ should take for the next two years. A little more than fifty percent of Northampton's voters turned out for the Tuesday election, about the same number as the spring...Bokashicycle composting
Here's an idea for our organic waste. Not that this is right for Northampton, but it is something to think about. Compost with a KickBokashi is a centuries-old Japanese method of recycling household food waste into all-natural compost. By employing a special...Nurses to picket Cooley Dickinson Hosp. Monday
From the Western Mass. Jobs With Justice listserv: NO LAYOFFS! NO TAKEAWAYS! INFORMATIONAL PICKET AT COOLEY DICKINSON HOSPITAL 4-6pm, 30 Locust Street (Rte 9), Northampton. Nurses at Cooley Dickinson hospital–proud members of the Massachusetts Nurses...9C cuts to decimate Homeless Programs across the state
The Boston Globe reports Nov. 7 on Governor Deval Patrick's cuts to homeless programs which have raised the ire of homeless advocates across the state. It is not yet clear how these cuts will impact services in Northampton, if at all, but it is estimated that 500...Smart Design by Tim Brown
~Infill and design standards were factors in this year's political campaigns. Above Tim Brown speaks on the importance of design.Where have all the flowers gone? M. Dietrich
Northampton Survival Center turns 30
With the holiday season upon us visit the Northampton Survival Center online to learn more about how you can help society's neediest to survive. http://www.thensc.org/Local online media moving on from election
The North Street Neighborhood Association (html) has a wealth of coverage regarding local issues. From the proposed Bean Farm purchase by the city for playing fields to the recent Meadowbrook fire to to reclassification of the city's floodplains to the...Northampton Housing Needs Study
Public Input MeetingsSaturday, November 21, 2009, 10:00 am – NoonMonday, November 23, 2009, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm At the Northampton Senior Center67 Conz Street,Northampton, MA The Housing Partnership and consultant Karen Sunnarborg will present the DRAFT...Grow Food in Northampton sponsors Bean Farm petition
Jennifer Hartley sent the following to the Paradise City Forum listserv regarding the potential purchase by the City of Northampton of about forty acres of the Bean Farm in Florence. As of now only three options have been put forth for the land if purchased by the...Garbage Audits
Press Release:GREEN Northampton is starting a free service available immediately to all businessesand residents in Northampton, GARBAGE AUDITS. GREEN Northampton has formedteams of auditors to visit homes and offices and give informational and sometimesexcavation-al...Council votes on Green Street Cafe-Smith College impasse
Among the robust commentary offered on issues before the City Council ranging from a Living Wage Resolution to the city's impending purchase of a portion of the Bean Farm property in Florence, numerous city residents spoke during the public comment portion of...John F. Kennedy assassination, 46 years later
Walter Cronkite announces the news Zapruder filmPatrick's Evergreen Solar goes to China
On Saturday the Gazette covered a story regarding the Green Street Cafe and Smith College. Unfortunately I am misquoted in the article, but no matter. In response to the article, "dwight," posted the following comment on Gazette's Talkback. I don't...Sandi Pinkham fundraiser
From Kathy Silva via the Paradise City Forum. There is going to be a Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser for Sandi Pinkham. She is a single mom with kids in the Ryan Road School system. She is very involved in the school activities and in the Northampton Youth Football...Bean Farm, petition two
Northampton citizens that support the use of the Bean Farm in Florence for recreational purposes are circulating a petition of their own. The first signature on the petition is from Ann-Marie Moggio, Director of the Recreation Department. The online version can be...Thanksgiving: A Native American View
Okay I like Thanksgiving and I am a native of America. For me the holiday conjures warm memories of my late loved ones supping around the hearth in North Hatfield. A young adult during the Great Depression, my memere (grandmother) would bring over some gin in a...Holiday Toy Exchange Dec. 6
REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE—— TOYS! Get your childcare lined up for our HOLIDAY TOY EXCHANGE! When: December 6 Where: Nonotuck Community School, 221 Riverside Drive, Florence MA 01062 Time: Bring your toys from 9:15-10am Begin "shopping" at the Toy...Affordable Housing with a capital A
Above is video taken of the November 21 Housing Needs Assessment meeting courtesy North Street Neighborhood Association. About fifteen people attended the Housing Study meeting held Saturday, November 21 at the Senior Center on Conz Street to discuss the issue of...White House launches Open Government Plan today
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 7, 2009 ADVISORY: Administration Officials to Launch Comprehensive Open Government Plan with Webcast Open to All Americans WASHINGTON – Tomorrow (today) at 11:00am ET, U.S. Chief Information Officer Vivek Kundra and U.S. Chief...More on Northampton's Affordable Housing
Mary Serreze has an interview with Northampton Housing Authority Director Jon Hite posted at Northampton Media. Included is a slideshow of images taken by Jendi Reiter. http://northamptonmedia.com/index.php/archives/entry/inside_the_walter_salvo_house_a_slideshow/Also...Economic Development Tax Expenditures
Riveting I tell you. At at the behest of State officials the Northampton City Council recently moved to expand the Tax Increment Financing program for Kollmorgen. This will cost local taxpayers a little more than $10.6 thousand a year over a thirteen year period or...BPW discusses moving forward with landfill expansion
Video courtesy North Street Neighborhood AssociationMIT introduces the Copenhagen Wheel for your bicycle
The Boston Globe reports on the Copenhagen Wheel. http://www.boston.comSolstice Celebration @ Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary
Mass Audubon at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary “Solstice Celebration” Community Bonfire marking lengthening days ahead Monday, December 21, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Fee: Free, but bring a nonperishable food item for Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. Call Mass...R U on a city committee?
The Northampton City Council will have four new members on inauguration day in January 2010. Together with the incumbents they will select a new council President who will decide the composition of Council subcommittees. As well some new committees might be formed in...Holiday songs
* * * *Thinking of you Dad
Had my father Gordon lived through his bout with cancer Friday would have been his seventy-third Christmas. It was not his favorite holiday for in his opinion it is far too commercialized and harried. He tired of the constant advertising and clever pitchmen selling...11 Northampton Fires-2 lives lost
Media reports are streaming in regarding 11 fires in Northampton that occurred in the early morning hours of December 27. Two lives are reported lost in the fire on Fair Street. Massachusetts State Arson Watch Hotline: 1-800-682-9229State authorities are set up on...Fighting back against an arsonist
The city is rightfully rattled. An arsonist is or arsonists are on the loose and two people have perished along with hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage. The story is making national news.The basic direction we've been given amounts to taking in...E-Edition
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