Janet Gary: Calling the non-emergency number works

At 4:30 in the morning, my husband was drinking his first cup of coffee, yes, really that early. He heard a sound that wasn’t part of the normal din of an old house. So he went down to the basement to investigate. He found water spraying all over from the outside water service line. It had a hole ahead of the shutoff valve, so there was nothing he could do except seek help.

Joe Gannon: Like chickens coming home to roost

I appreciated Rutherford J. Platt’s Feb. 24 column on evil as called out by Rep. Jim McGovern [“Applause for calling out ‘evil’”]. The evil cited was “America’s role as a responsible world power is being diminished: Foreign aid has been thrown into chaos, endangering lives worldwide.”

Michael Klare and Andrea Ayvazian: Mayor Sciarra a competent, compassionate leader

We were pleased to learn that Northampton Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra has announced plans to run for reelection. We believe that Mayor Sciarra is a competent and compassionate leader, and we feel lucky and blessed to have her at the helm here in our unique and wonderful city.

Douglas Beattie: Raising a stink and beating our drums

There is important background information explaining Elon Musk’s Nazi salute at a Trump inauguration party. Musk’s grandfather was born in Canada of South African parents and emigrated back to South Africa in the 1950s. According to reporter Chris McGreal, writing in The Guardian Jan. 26, “that’s when apartheid had just started to kick in. South Africa had had discriminatory laws before, but you see the specific apartheid laws, which are much more aggressive, and in many ways reminiscent of the Nazi Nuremberg laws against Jews in the 1930s.”

Guest columnist Dr. Julia Fischer: Forgotten foes — The return of preventable infections

By DR. JULIA FISCHER

Teresa HerrNeckar: Future of Social Security

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities says: “Few budgetary concepts generate as much unintended confusion and deliberate misinformation as the Social Security trust funds. The trust funds are invested in Treasury securities that are just as sound as all other U.S. government securities, held by investors around the globe and regarded as being among the world’s safest investments.”

Tom Burton: Censured for ‘outstanding public service’

As a resident of Ward 3 for a dozen years, I have had a number of City Council representatives and frequently watch the Thursday evening proceedings. In all of that time I have rarely met a public servant as dedicated to her constituents as Councilor Quaverly Rothenberg.

Jamie Guerin: Councilor Rothenberg a champion for safety and accessibility in Ward 3

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Ward 3 City Councilor Quaverly Rothenberg for her unwavering accessibility and dedication to vulnerable residents like myself.

Ted Lindsey: Occupy Washington

Talk is cheap. It is clear to many that there are only two ways to stop Trump. One is the courts, the other is massive civil disobedience.

Bruno Calouro: City Hall exhibit showcases community artists

I want to thank Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra for hosting an exhibit of artwork by ServiceNet community artists at Northampton City Hall throughout February and March. Her support helps shine a light on the creativity and talent of these artists and underscores the importance of inclusion and visibility for all people, including those with disabilities.

Jean Preer: Upgrade the Academy's sound system

A wonderfully entertaining production of “Finding Nemo Jr.” at the Northampton Academy of Music last week would have been even better if the audience could have heard all the performers and not just the leads. Without consistent sound, those who hadn’t seen the film “Finding Nemo” might have found it difficult to follow the story.

Dan Gardner: Smith Coach Hersey on my list of favorites

In her March 11 sports column “Leadership lessons from women’s basketball,” Jess Lapachinski listed some of her favorite coaches active in women’s basketball today. All of them are deserving of accolades. But right here at Smith College we have a coach equally deserving.

Guest columnist Lee Wicks: A triumph for the arts

By LEE WICKS

Guest columnist Shalini Bahl: Beyond boycotts — Mindful spending’s real impact

By SHALINI BAHL

Bill McKee: Same rotten egg

Can somebody tell me what the difference is between Russian President Vladimir Putin taking over a bordering country and President Donald Trump wanting to take over Canada (except for using the military — so far)? These two are hatched from the same rotten egg!

Monica Strauss: Response to federal funding cuts ‘dispiriting’

The Gazette’s report on Gov. Maura Healey’s March 10 press conference quoted this response to the question of how the commonwealth could make up for the drastic cuts in federal funds: “The numbers are so huge that there is no way the state can begin to fill the void or pick up the tab.” For this citizen, her answer gave off an air of helplessness and negativity that was dispiriting.

Gwen Agna: Grateful for support and to serve

I have decided not to run for reelection for Northampton School Committee in November. I just turned 73 years old. Birthdays for me are a time for reflection and this one led me to reprioritization, given how time is marching on. I have granddaughters who are growing quickly — too quickly. And I look for joy in this broken world.

Guest columnist David E. Sullivan: A duty to call out demeaning immigrants and the rule of law

By DAVID E. SULLIVAN

The following was excerpted from a talk given by Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan at the Northampton St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast at the Hotel Northampton on Monday, March 17.

Guest columnist Allen Woods: DOGE — Moving fast and breaking things

By ALLEN WOODS

Susan Triolo: McGovern town hall set for March 18

On Tuesday, March 18, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern will host a town hall at the Greenfield Middle School, 195 Federal Street, Greenfield. This event, sponsored by Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution (FCCPR), is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6 p.m.