Lew La Chance: Crosswalks are important

It appears that more drivers are stopping for pedestrians in crosswalks. Walkers now should seek crosswalks to get from one side of the street to the other. Traffic control is taking turns. Motorists should slow down at crosswalks as many of us age 70...

Bill Lafley: Questions

Just sitting and wondering …What model year did car manufacturers make directional signals optional equipment on cars?When the law passed that after a traffic light turns red three cars can go through and the fourth one has to stop?If we all buy...

Letter: Thanks to many for Colrain Fix-it Day

On Sept. 7, the trustees of the Griswold Memorial Library held their annual Colrain Fix-it Day, a free event that brings the community together for the New England tradition of helping each other repair and mend. Many commented on the unintended...

John Bottomley: Words matter

As a city councilor I have faced many challenges and embraced the difficulty of the role knowing that I cannot solve all problems or make everyone happy. Unfortunately, during the five-minute break at the last City Council meeting I was accosted by...

The World Keeps Turning: The politics of anger

By ALLEN WOODS

In the hit movie Network (1976), a mentally unstable TV newscaster prompts a meteoric rise in his ratings by convincing viewers to open their windows and shout “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore.” Although the specific target of...

Nicholas Wo: Slow down in Montague

Dear Community: I want to address a troubling incident that recently occurred: a child was hit by a car driving recklessly, and it was only due to the quick actions of local Samaritans that the driver didn’t flee the scene. This has sparked anger and...

My Turn: Newcomers will become part of fabric of country

By SUSAN WOZNIAK

A week or two ago, I overheard an interesting recommendation. A man told his friend that the food at a local restaurant was “really good.” I found myself at 8 p.m., near the restaurant at six hours past my last meal.The place was empty but the hostess...

My Turn: Do you know your human rights?

By CARRIE N. BAKERand CARRIE CUTHBERT

J.D. Vance’s comments devaluing childless women, Donald Trump’s lies about Haitian immigrants and the Project 2025 agenda to dismantle U.S. civil rights laws show that many current-day Republicans do not believe all people deserve to be treated with...

Laurie Boosahda: Imagine peace, and pursue it

Imagine there’s no weapons. It isn’t hard to do. Imagine there is peace. It’s easy if you try. I just returned from a performance in Greenfield by Women of Vision, two Arab and two Jewish residents of Israel, touring the area sharing their passion for...

Lynne Page: Neighbors a lifeline

When my beloved husband, Rolley, died in 2019, I was devastated. However, a circle of neighbors embraced me and kept me from feeling alone. They sent cards, called, took me out to lunch, invited me to activities, and even cleared my driveway after a...

Scott Reed: Shout out to Northeast Biodiesel workers

Northeast Biodiesel’s recent closing is disappointing for many reasons. One is that our region’s used cooking oil will continue to be exported to other countries that have the infrastructure to recycle it into heating and transportation fuel. Another...

Gary Seldon: Water is life, speak up for the Connecticut River

Come to the Shea Theater in Great Falls (aka Turners Falls) on Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. Speak up for the Connecticut River. She needs you to speak her truth! Call for the DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) to deny the Northfield Mountain Pumped...

My Turn: President Bush — You must not remain silent in this election

By ROB OKUN

“In our nation’s 248-year history, there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump … I will be casting my vote for Vice President Kamala Harris.” — Dick Cheney, former Republican vice presidentPresident...

Judy Pozar: Auditing the Legislature a ‘waste of time and money’

Ballot Question 1 — to allow the state auditor to audit the Legislature — sounded simple and reasonable enough at first. Then I read the Majority Report in the red “Information for Voters” booklet — a real eye-opener. While the current state auditor...

Julie Caswell: Vote ‘yes’ on CPA funding to restore, upgrade 1888 Building

I am writing to encourage all Deerfield residents to vote “yes”at the Oct. 7 Town Meeting at 6 p.m. to approve spending Community Preservation Act funds to restore and rehabilitate the historic 1888 Building (the old Grammar School on the corner of...

Garth Shaneyfelt: City needs more housing to grow, survive

It was pretty amazing to hear the pushback at Greenfield’s most recent presentation about the need for more housing at the Sept. 12 housing study community meeting. Despite the incredibly low vacancy rate (0.5% or so; ideally there would be 3-7%),...

Pixie Holbrook: Vote ‘yes’ on Question 2

To parents, grandparents, neighbors and more, please vote “yes” on Question 2 this November! It will mean that passing the MCAS will no longer be required for a high school diploma.Great idea, right? To begin with, too much time is spent every spring...

My Turn: How Jeanne and Jack lift up our neighborhood

By TIM WALTER

Editor’s note: The Recorder is publishing short essays over the next several weeks to mark National Good Neighbor Day on Sept. 28. Have a story about good neighbors in your lives? Send your submission of 500 words or less to letters@recorder.com. It...

My Turn: It’s not easy being green

By AMHAD ESFAHANI

 In recent weeks, following a random board meeting in Buckland, a man stopped me on my way out and asked, “are you the guy who wrote that obnoxious article in the Recorder?” This inquiry left me in a state of confusion for several hours, as I honestly...

Dan Allie: Inflation robs us of prosperity, makes life harder for Americans

In a normal economy, inflation is caused by supply and demand. Today’s inflation is caused by printing $2 trillion to pay for government spending, which devalued the dollar. If our money is worthless, it matters not how much you have. Anything times...