Having gotten to within a few weeks of the city’s next election, I, like many others, have been drawn into municipal intrigue. I find myself devouring articles trying to gain as much background on issues that alarm me. And at the root of them is why?
Why do we have a mayor and certain councilors that seem intent on undermining the quality of education? To ignore the pleas of students and teachers for support is willful. To vilify those who demand better is attempting to blame others for your choices
Northampton used to be held up as an example of stellar education. We have seen a shift away from that standard and kids are suffering for it. The staff is suffering as well, and that makes the city a toxic employer.
Why in the same breath that the claims of no funds for school staffing do these same people in positions of supposed representation authorize spending over $3 million for a dilapidated building and then not move forward with any renovations? How is that supposed to inspire confidence in leadership and responsible use of funds?
Why are certain councilors and our mayor so dead-set to push Picture Main Street forward? Why the reluctance to do a trial run? Why does it seems so personal that it’s got to be their way? From my perspective, I don’t believe their assertions that the funding is all hunky-dory and we won’t be facing an override plea in a few years. City Hall has had a myopic attitude towards downtown for as long as I can remember. As if it’s the sum of all and anything beyond the business center is an afterthought. I think our poorly maintained roads prove that( through no fault of the DPW staff).
These are not the only big issues troubling many residents. The example that seems to prove it for me is that we had more people step forward saying they’re willing to even run for positions than I can ever recall. That points to a deep dissatisfaction in our quality of governance. That asks one more question. Why do some of our neighbors think everything is functioning?
Lisa Barron
Florence