Many people stream movies, or watch Turner Classic Movies, or play DVDs at home. But NOTHING can replace the experience of watching a movie on the big screen while munching on popcorn (or not) and sharing with others the joy, fear, sorrow or humor evoked by a film. The rights of those with disabilities are important, but shutting down the last remaining movie theater in Greenfield while its owners are struggling in good faith to comply with ADA requirements would be unforgivable. The Architectural Access Board needs to consider the importance of the Greenfield Garden Cinema to this community. Its narrow, pedantic, punishing view of this situation is the sort of thing that ends up causing a backlash against minority communities, eroding support for their rights, and, in the long run, giving rise to monsters like Donald Trump. Lets hope the AAB takes a long view of its responsibilities and exercises some common sense.
Kathe Geist
Charlemont