Gloria DiFulvio: Where will you draw the line?

By GLORIA DIFULVIO

In a post-election Facebook post, Dan Rather had this to say: “Now is a time when none of us can afford to remain seated or silent. We must all stand and be counted.” The challenges we face after the election are beyond party and politics he...

Editorial: Charter vote sets right path for Amherst

The Amherst Charter Commission set a wise course this week in voting to study a mayor-council form of government that would replace representative Town Meeting, the Select Board and town manager.Monday’s 5-4 vote by the Charter Commission is the first...

Editorial: Women’s Fund has lasting impact

 The changes in priorities and direction of the government that come with a new president always create apprehension among citizens who feel at odds with the new administration.We know there are women, for example, who worry about the short- and...

Columnist J.M. Sorrell: Resistance necessary to protect democracy

By J.M. SORRELL

Over the last five weeks, I have been reflecting upon the results of the general election, and I have been grieving and feeling deep concern for the future of our country and the world at large.My integrity as a participant in society now must be more...

Columnist Naila Moreira: Environmental protections under attack

By NAILA MOREIRA

I sometimes startle people by saying I don’t have much hope for the environment.“But you’re an environmentalist!” they stutter. “Surely, you must think we can prevent nature from being destroyed? That taking action is worth it?”The other day, for...

Editorial: Downtown Northampton Association’s holiday cheer

Friday evening is a fine time to check out the cheerful holiday spirit brought to Main Street this year by the Downtown Northampton Association.The city’s first Holiday Stroll will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., coinciding with the monthly Arts Night Out,...

Editorial: Hampshire must lead dialogue after flag removed 

National attention is focused on Hampshire College, a private institution that finds itself at the crossroads of a debate that erupted after it temporarily stopped flying the American flag at the heart of its South Amherst campus.While the controversy...

Clare Higgins: Lessons local government can teach national political debate

I served on the Northampton City Council for six years during the 1990s. There were disputes, disagreements, unanimous votes and bitter feuds, all (mostly) debated and resolved by nine people elected by their peers to wrestle with the challenges of...

Barry Hirsch, MD: Why I will vote to legalize marijuana

In November I will be voting for the legalization of marijuana, but not because I think it is safe or has clear medical benefits as outlined by the Drug Enforcement Agency’s denied petition to reschedule marijuana.Our entire approach to this issue has...

Editorial: Good news, bad picture for Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton, who struggles to win public trust, squandered her limited supply of it by setting her own rules on email communications while secretary of state. And then she inflicted more damage on her reputation by misrepresenting the steps she...

The gang trap: Two stories of striving to make a life in and out of gangs, jail and prison

Ricky Aviles and Christian Lopez, two men with histories of gang activity in Holyoke, were recently released from jail in Franklin County. They spoke of their lives and challenges with Gazette collaborator Revan Schendler. When I was around 8 years...