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By MICHAEL SEWARD

Amherst College blithely contributed to the housing shortage in Amherst. That was the takeaway of a recent Gazette article about the liberal arts college’s request to demolish two historic properties, which, according to the article, was purchased to prevent a housing development by outbidding private housing developers with $4.3 million in 2003. It’s an astonishing case of wealth and privilege preventing the construction of much-needed housing, regardless of the detriment to others, while irresponsibly allowing two historic homes to fall into a state of disrepair.

Throughout the world people are honoring the life of Pope Francis who was both a spiritual and political leader. He called on all of us to make it a priority to protect the environment, provide justice for all, especially the poor and marginalized, and to work for peace. In our country flags flew at half-mast in his honor. But to truly honor Pope Francis, it is not enough to lower our flags, light candles, and bow our heads. May we all reflect on and be guided in our actions by the Pope’s words and deeds.

Why do you so gladly surrender your co-equal branch of government to the executive branch and rubber stamp everything our lying president does? Why do you focus solely on your richest donors and ignore your true constituents, those who elected you? If you deny this fact, point us to anything recent you have accomplished that helps working families, minorities, the Black population, Latinos, immigrants, even the handicapped. They are your true constituents. Surely, the richest among us don’t need you except for one thing … to increase their disproportionate wealth and power. Choosing them over your electors is truly telling.

By KAREN GARDNER

The Fifth Amendment to our Constitution says, in part, that “No person shall … be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.”

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

NORTHAMPTON — The demand for school district spending in the city could be further compounded if the Northampton Association of School Employees (NASE) union is successful in obtaining additional wage increases its leadership is asking for in a new contract with the city.

By ALEXA LEWIS

EASTHAMPTON — Unlike neighboring communities struggling with significant funding gaps for next fiscal year, Easthampton is heading into fiscal year 2026 on solid financial footing that will enable it to avoid layoffs or wage cuts.

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

BELCHERTOWN — Cody Reynolds, 31, of Chicopee, pleaded guilty Monday to negligent operation of a motor vehicle in connection with a 2023 crash that killed Christopher Euvrard, 54, of Belchertown. Eastern Hampshire District Court Judge Bruce Melikian sentenced Reynolds to three years of probation.

As town moderator of Cummington, the following is a statement I read to open annual Town Meeting on May 2: Tonight we convene to maintain and renew a tradition of self-governance practiced for 400 years. But we meet tonight at a time when many are gravely concerned about the future of democracy in America. Many may be inclined to ask, so to be reminded, “What does democracy look like?” “Can you tell me what democracy looks like?” I would like to affirm that tonight, what we convene to do here, this tradition of town meeting — “this is what democracy looks like.” Local participatory democracy. One person, one vote.

Having watched the Planning Board meeting on April 24, I wasn’t even a little surprised to read of the approval of the huge complex of buildings on State Street. (“Planners OK five-story housing development for St. Mary’s Church site, concerns aired over Hawley Street apartment building,” Gazette, April 29). Planners seemed more concerned about the placement of dumpsters, curb cuts and space for bikes than about the massive buildings on State Street and the jail-look alike behemoth on Phillips Place. It seemed like the final nail in the coffin of any pretense about the importance of “diversity,” including economic diversity in Northampton. According to developers O’Connell and Sunwood, they are doing a community service by building 125 “market rate” apartments, with rents starting at $2,000 for a 450 square foot apartment; “market rate” meaning what the market will bear. At the hours long meeting, someone mentioned affordable housing for perhaps a minute or so. Several cities now require a percentage of new apartment buildings must be set aside for affordable housing priced below market rates. High rent cities like Boston, New York, Washington, Pittsburgh provide tax incentives to developers. Somerville and Cambridge require 20% of larger buildings be affordable. Northampton is now a high rent city. With the green light given to one and possibly two massive apartment buildings, now is the time for the mayor, City Council the planning department and candidates to begin developing plans to incorporate a percentage of affordable apartments in new projects.

In my January letter to the editor, I promised I would not write another Trump letter for four years if he or she would publish that one. Since then, I have sent two others. The Gazette is forcing me to consider whether I am a habitual liar. Oh, well. Perhaps I am, but nowhere near our 100-day super-president. Today, I am thinking about the “real” effects of this man’s economic fantasies, his vaunted worldwide tariffs. We will feel them at the end of May, because by then the number of ships of Chinese goods in American ports will have declined by 30%-40%.

How ironic that the cargo ship carrying food to Gaza that the Freedom Flotilla Coalition claims was bombed by Israel in international waters is called the “Conscience.” Has the world no conscience? How can we watch two million people starve to death? Sixty-six days of complete blockade — food, water, medicines, fuel. The health care workers of Gaza have called an emergency, as they have only two days of supplies and food left. As we celebrate Mothers’ Day, which was established as a call for peace, let us join with the mothers of Gaza to call for saving the lives of their children. Let us mourn with mothers missing their dead children. Today no one should starve to death. On a practical level, write to your elected representatives and ask them to join a diplomatic convoy to bring food to Gaza. Insist they stop approving money for arms — they need bread not bombs. Act on your conscience and feed the children. Thank you.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A consolidation from three elementary school buildings to two is expected to mean some savings for the school budget beginning in July 2026, but Superintendent E. Xiomara Herman is cautioning the spending reductions may be limited.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Heavy traffic, possible delays and road closures will be taking place around the University of Massachusetts campus, both in Amherst and Hadley, starting Wednesday, as students move out and then the undergraduate commencement is held late Friday afternoon. 

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HATFIELD — A condemned home at 320 West St., subject to a demolition order from the town, is heading to a foreclosure auction later this month.

By GARRETT COTE

AMHERST — Every UMass athletics program has finally found a home for next season.

By JONATHAN KAHANE

My teachers all told me throughout my 22 years as a student in academia that I’m a slow learner. After 80 years I’m still trying to learn how to tie my shoes so they remain fastened for more than an hour at a time.

By JULIA BROWN

Resistance to President Donald Trump’s threat to deny billions in federal funding to universities that do not bend to his list of demands has finally gotten off the ground. Over four hundred academic leaders have signed the statement denouncing the Trump administration for its “unprecedented government overreach and political interference” in higher education.

Thank you, Joe Gannon, for speaking truth to power about MLK Jr. and the violence he stood and spoke against in this land of the so-called free (”The good doctor diagnosed our malady: spiritual death,” Gazette, May 8). And thank you, John Paradis (”White Rose legacy transcends, inspires,” Gazette, April 11) for bringing to light how dangerous truth-spreading was under Hitler. And thank you to our hometown Gazette for printing both. None of you will likely face the guillotine, as Sophie Scholl and her brother did, beheaded by the Gestapo for leafleting in 1943 Germany. Nevertheless, I am beyond grateful for the brave truths you bring to my doorstep, causing me to dress in black and to show up at the White Rose rally in Northampton on Friday.

In the name of infill, a private developer and city officials have figured out how to build a huge market rate apartment building on a narrow street of single and multi-family homes in a historic district. What an accomplishment!

Having called Hadley home since my family moved from Connecticut in 1988, I'm proud to announce my candidacy for the Planning Board. As a Hopkins Academy graduate and lifelong community member, my connection to our town runs deep — from working at my family's former Spruce Hill Motel to managing current business ventures on Russell Street (Route 9). Over the years, I’ve worked closely with Hadley’s Fire, Police, DPW, Building, Conservation, and Finance departments. These collaborations, along with my experience as a business owner navigating local zoning bylaws, have given me a practical understanding of how our town functions — and where it can improve. I’ve also had the opportunity to serve on Hadley’s 40R committee, gaining hands-on experience with planning and smart growth strategies designed to guide thoughtful, community-driven development.