At the annual Town Meeting on May 14, Town Meeting members will vote on a citizen’s petition for a Welcoming Community ordinance. This ordinance asks town officials and employees to welcome all people in our community, so that they can live positive and productive lives in South Hadley, without fear of investigation and deportation by local officials. The majority of the proposed ordinance is already aligned with Massachusetts laws and current town and police department policies.

As a sponsor of this citizen’s petition, I believe that passing this ordinance codifies these policies at a local level and makes a moral statement that the people of South Hadley believe that if you live in South Hadley, you belong in South Hadley. If you are supportive of the Welcoming Community ordinance, I urge you to reach out to your Town Meeting representatives and express your support. Often people only voice their dislike of articles before Town Meeting and I hope that we can create a loud chorus of welcoming neighbors.

Alanna Hoyer-Leitzel

South Hadley