Opinion

My Turn: Blame Hamas for the suffering of Palestinians

By RHONDA WAINSHILBAUM

In medieval Europe, Jews were often permitted only to pursue work that involved money lending and tax collecting. They were forced into this unwanted profession by kings who used them as middlemen, and then they were despised and massacred for...

Ahmad Esfahani: Democratic lagging

Who should be making the decisions? Take a few hours out of your week and observe a local committee or board, and you may quickly see how the ball of accountability rolls downhill. In an age of liability and risk aversion, decision-makers have become...

Evlyn Ashong-Katai: Back tax fund for elderly, disabled

My name is Evlyn Ashong-Katai and I moved to Greenfield in June 2023 when I bought my first-ever property, my home, at the age of 26. As a Greenfield resident, I am reaching out because of the proposed elderly/disabled tax fund.When reading about this...

Julia Duncan: Disgusted about musical canceled during pandemic

I’m so disgusted with the adults who canceled “Frozen Jr.” at Mahar Regional School four years ago [“‘Frozen Jr.’ shows to start: Play was originally rehearsed in 2020, but was stalled by pandemic,” Recorder, April 13]. That headline is not exactly...

My Turn: Stop taking all equity in home seizures now

By SUSANAE GLOVACKI

 I don’t like to read the legal ads. The print is too small and it feels like you need a degree in legal studies to understand them. But on April 13 of this year, the city of Greenfield took out a full-page ad in the Recorder listing residents who...

Robert McGahan: Will Emmet selflessly gives time and energy to town

I favor the person who selflessly gives his time and energy in the interest of the town. As town election time approaches, Heath is fortunate to have as a candidate for Selectboard, Will Emmet, who has served the town in multiple capacities, both...

Bill and Jean Gran: Heath Select Board needs Mike Smith’s broad experience

Mike Smith has our votes for Heath Selectboard. He has a lifetime of experience as a child growing up in Heath and as an adult raising a family, and contributing decades of service to our community. He served 20 years as Heath’s highway superintendent...

Pam Roberts: Come join Buddy Baseball's new season on May 11!

It is Buddy Baseball’s 30th birthday! Buddy Baseball is a program for youth with disabilities to play ball with the help of peer buddies. We seek new players, buddies and coaches to join our enthusiastic, family- and fun-oriented crew. We meet on...

Bob Bourke: Mike Smith for Heath Select Board

Friday, May 10 is election day in Heath. I urge town voters to choose Mike Smith for Selectboard. He offers many qualities that no other candidate can match.Born and raised in Heath, his family lineage goes back scores of generations. His father...

Pam Parmakian: What’s in a flag? Solidarity and safety

Something amazing happened on our street this week. Every household found a rainbow flag in their mailbox with an open-hearted letter inviting everyone to show solidarity with the LBGTQ community by flying the flag.My wife and I were deeply moved by...

Kathy Gregg: Gaza protests — You go, students

I am full of admiration for the UMass students who are demonstrating on campus demanding that the university divest from American companies that make weapons Israel uses against Palestinians.I commend them for cooperating with the university’s demand...

GurujiMa: Walk for peace In Gaza

On Saturday, May 18, the Village of Light Ashram in Leverett is sponsoring aWalk for Peace in Gaza.This walk, beginning at the Leverett Town Hall and ending at the Peace Pagoda, is meant to include everyone. It is a testimony of the heart that seeks...

Terry Mollner: A different two-state solution

There is an easy solution to the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians, but it necessitates as new way of thinking of a nation.The conflict is over both claiming the same land is their homeland. They could both continue to do that and...

My Turn: Freud — explorer of inner space

By MARGOT FLECK

My mother often reminded me that “Fools rush in where angels fear to tread” — her words are one of those childhood memories that remain fixed in many a young brain, laid down in the synapses without our knowledge and long before we were capable of...

My Turn: We all deserve a break

By KAREN GARDNER

 ‘Up in the sky! Look! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Superman!”         Sorry Superman, it’s a bird. But not just any bird, it’s one among many that hasn’t been seen here since last fall. It’s the yearly migration of these birds back from warmer...

Greg Parody: Protests getting out of hand

Protests getting out of handHow long are these anti-Israel/America protests going to be allowed to continue? With many chanting “death to America” while supporting a terrorist hotbed, isn’t it about time that water cannons start being used to put an...

Donna Newton: What is wrong with the post office?

What is wrong with the post office?Recently I have read that the United States Postal Service is considering raising the price of a first-class stamp again and maybe 5 cents this time. How many times is that in the last year? And where is our...

Judith Schiavone: Violent protests are not effective

Violent protests are not effective For me, my faith dictates non-violence, and some might say that is indicative of my white privilege. Perhaps. However, realistically and strategically, violent protests will not promote the students’ cause, no matter...

Robert McGahan: Emmet is choice for Heath Selectboard

Emmet is choice for Heath board As town election time approaches, Heath is fortunate to have as a candidate for Selectboard Will Emmett, who has served the town in multiple capacities, both volunteer and elected.Will moved to Heath in 2006 and...