A few quick-hitters as we prepare to enjoy a glorious May which kind of feels more like March.
Regarding Greenfield’s impending “Park-ageddon” once the new courthouse opens, I’m surprised more people aren’t echoing the concerns raised recently by YMCA Director Bob Sunderland regarding the state’s inaction on funding construction of the new Olive Street parklng garage. It was tough enough to find a spot in that neighborhood with the old courthouse, and places like the Y, Hope and Olive and others have every right to be a little freaked out. I also can’t understand why the Trial Court isn’t helping fund this project, or, at the very least, applying political pressure to the people who make that decision.
Speaking of the courts, the number of unfilled judicial vacancies in western Mass., and the impact it is having on the delivery of justice, is going to be one of the primary campaign themes of former Springfield Mayor Mary Hurley, who is running to represent the four western counties on the Governor’s Council. And it’s a topic that is near to Hurley’s heart, as she was forced to work double-sessions when she was a judge because so many courts had no one to put on the bench.
The top of the political food chain will be in Turners Falls tonight, as Senate President Stan Rosenberg hosts a fundraiser at Riff’s North on Avenue A. Rosenberg will likely rake in a boat-load of cash, even though he’s no more likely to face a serious opponent than his pal Register of Probate John Merrigan, who is hosting tonight’s event.
Turning to local politics, if there was a picture in the dictionary next to the word “persistent,” you might see the face of Hussain Hamdan, who finally broke through the glass ceiling to win a seat on Hawley’s Board of Selectmen.
Speaking of turnover, this week’s elections of Henry Komosa and Trevor McDaniel just made the Deerfield Selectmen the board to watch in 2016. Or is it the “Selectboard?” That long overdue change to make the board gender-neutral was suggested at the end of Deerfield Annual Town meeting. It remains to be seen whether it will be implemented, however.
Before we depart the world of small town politics, I’m a big believer in the Second Amendment, but do people really need to pack heat on town meeting floor, as is currently being debated in the town of Warwick?
The project may be halted, but as long as tariffs and Article 97 remain in play legally, the Northeast Direct Natural Gas pipeline saga is far from over, or, as one town meeting speaker said it, the “NED Zombie” refuses to die.
Turning to national politics, I don’t jibe with much of what I’ve been reading on social media about the presidential race, but I do agree with the contention that a Donald Trump-Hillary Clinton final will set a new low-water mark for dirty tricks and negative campaigning, further fracturing an already divided nation.
As for the now-vanquished Ted Cruz, online jokesters aren’t wasting any time poking fun at his demise, one suggesting that he be forced to carry his “unviable” campaign to term — a not-so-subtle poke at the senator’s lack of flexibility on the issue of a woman’s right choose, which, as much as anything, made him a long shot to win in the general had he managed to get the nomination.
Heading back to Greenfield politics, it’s rare to see Al Norman and Isaac Mass agree on anything, but they did recently when both spoke in favor of naming the new Senior-Community Center in honor of late Council-On-Aging member John Zon, an honor that is greatly deserved.
I also wonder if Greenfield will follow Northampton’s lead in passing a resolution mandating that the town’s water supply never fall into private hands, which didn’t exactly work out so well for the people of Flint, Mich.
Finally, I hope there is a big turnout May 12 when the new Greenfield High School track is dedicated in honor of longtime Coach Peter Conway. It’s pretty rare to have something named after you while you are still alive, which I guess confers “living legend” status upon Coach Conway, who has touched countless lives over the years for those fortunate enough to play for him. I only wish my Dad could have been here to shake his hand as Conway joins the ranks of Greenfield’s immortals.
See you at the road race.
Chris Collins, who worked in local radio in a number of capacities, has observed political life in Franklin County for years. He also is a former staff reporter for The Recorder and a Greenfield native.