As I return to my childhood street of Eastern Avenue in South Deerfield, I unfortunately need to flag some disheartening and unacceptable community behavior.
On Jan 4, after a day of painting work, my contractor Mohammed knocked on the door and handed me a message that referred to his vehicle as a “sh– heap,” inquiring why someone would leave such a message on his windshield.
The hand-scrawled note said “Please do not park this sh– heap on our street” and was signed by “S. Deerfield Neighborhood Association.”
Clearly, this was not about some broken-down car left street-side. It is more likely about intolerance towards hard-working craftpersons who look different and have a different skin color than “typical” white Americans. As best as I know, there is no such thing as the “South Deerfield Neighborhood Association.”
Let us put things in historical perspective. In December 2017, I sifted through key documents in my parents’ library including those penned by mom’s grandfather who served in the Civil War during 1863-1865 and by mom’s brother who was a paratrooper during WWII. George H. Childs, in recounting his Civil War experiences, wrote, “I never again care to see the road marked with blood as it dripped from the wagon floors from Spotsylvania to Fredericksburg. I never again care to see a heap of legs and arms laying at the back of a hospital tent as though dumped there from a cart.”
James A. Childs, an original member of the famed 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division, wrote his last letter on July 29, 1944, to his mother following his D-Day combat in France.
“I was behind enemy lines for 13 days. I was also captured by the Germans and was held prisoner for three days. Then we got away… I sure will be glad when this war is over… I hope all the folks and you are well and don’t worry about me. I’ll get back there someday I’m sure…”
Uncle Jimmy never did get back, killed by sniper fire in Holland (Operation Market Garden, the “Bridge Too Far”)
These men and countless other women and men over subsequent generations did not sacrifice so that bigots might thrive and threaten new groups of hard-working Americans. How dare the person who left this anonymous hateful message use the word “neighborhood.” My message goes beyond Eastern Avenue when I say that it is time for “neighbors” to demonstrate tolerance and dialogue with one another.
Chris Harris
Deerfield
I recently took a walk down Main Street in Greenfield and did my own survey on whether or not we should raise our property taxes again to pay for a new library. Out of the 32 people I spoke to, only one was in favor of a new tax increase.
I only have one question: How is a new library going to increase or entice new business to come to Greenfield? Call me stupid, but I just don’t see it, nor does anyone else I’ve asked.
I believe this is still a free country, and we are all entitled to our individual opinions and shouldn’t be subject to criticism like City Councilor Verne Sund has recently been subjected to. He like many of us served his country and deserves the respect and support all military veterans should be entitled to.
To Mr. Sund I’d say, don’t quit, don’t give up, stand your ground. You have more support than you think.
Jack Varner
Greenfield
We are writing in opposition to the proposed expansion of the Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School.
Under the current state funding formula, the 492 students enrolled in the PVCICS pull money and resources from most of the area cities and towns. Their most recent report indicates approval for up to 584 students with 144 on a waiting list. This certainly does not indicate a need to double enrollment to their proposed expansion request for up to 952 students.
This number will likely negatively impact many towns and public schools in the region, including Deerfield Elementary School and the Frontier Regional School District.
This proposed expansion impacts both school budgets in particular and the town’s budget, as well. We believe PVCICS calculated under-enrollment of special needs students and English Language Learners advantages them financially at the expense of public schools in our region.
Unless and until the foundation assessment formula is revised to more adequately cover the cost of the loss of students from public to charter schools, we believe expansion should be denied. We ask the commonwealth to ensure every school using taxpayer funds is governed by the same standards found in our public schools, which effectively serve the needs of all students, and hold PVCICS accountable to serving students of all abilities.
Henry Komosa
Trevor D. McDaniel
Deerfield Selectboard
In Greenfield, Massachusetts, the Department of Public Works sweeps our streets in spring. They patch all excavations in roads. The plow the roads in winter, and when needed, they sand the highways. They repair catch basins. As we all might know, these structures drain the water from the roads. Citizens clear these catch basins.
They weekly pick up our rubbish to control unwanted materials. It’s been several centuries since the Plague in Europe. People complain about the government in Greenfield. I think we might say “thanks.” The police try to encourage folks to follow the speed limit signs to save lives. The fire department gets the fires with the cooperation of the public.
Ever send these good people a Christmas card? Maybe we could say “thanks.” Just a thought.
Lew LaChance
Greenfield
Thank you, chef Kirsten Levitt and all the volunteers at Stone Soup Café, for sharing the love in Greenfield and Franklin County (“Stone Soup Café a Big Draw on Christmas” December 27, 2018).
At a time when we remember our neighbors, who may not have nutritious food to eat or friendly people to eat it with, we read that America is not as welcoming and generous as it could be. So much of the news today is discouraging or downright shocking.
Then there is the Stone Soup Café, serving delicious local produce and attracting eager volunteers to prepare and serve Saturday and holiday meals with a smile – for whatever a guest can pay.
It’s not a soup kitchen, as Levitt says, it’s a true restaurant offering multi-course meals with seconds and take-home portions, and the chance to meet neighbors and visitors around big family-style tables.
With live music, a conversation circle, and chances to learn about food prep and community service, the café is a social nexus, a pre-professional training site, and a blessed retreat.
As heart-warming as it is to read about this special place, it’s even more inspiring to visit All Souls Church for lunch on Saturdays – an experience you will not forget.
Chris Queen
Wendell
While trying to make sense of the news of the day, it’s well to remember the quote attributed to Isaac Asimov, best known as a world famous science fiction writer.
“There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there always has been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that ‘my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge’.”
John O’Connor
Ashfield