Tech Titans

Wi-Fi emitters dangle from a streetlight in Amherst town center

The town of Amherst scored another award for being on the cutting edge of all things Internet, this time for "Improving Government Services," via the town website.  The award was presented to outgoing IT Director Kris Pacunas and his assistant director Sean Hannon on behalf of the entire department at the 20th annual Digital Government Annual Summit held at the Boston Park Plaza today.

#madgs14 Very proud to accept Improving Government Services award with Sean Hannon on behalf of #amherst first class IT team! #massit
— Kristopher Pacunas (@krispacunas) December 1, 2014

"Strong nomination" from the Big Boss

"Numbers are slippery things". Hmmm...

Dr. Ben Ricci was my favorite Umass Professor (friend and mentor—even though he gave me a C in Kinesiology.) He single-handedly, against all odds, took down the State School in Belchertown--a government operated warehouse for the mentally retarded.

And amazingly he did it in the pre-internet age (early 1970’s) when activism was a Hell of a lot harder than it is today.

He had a saying he used in class about once a week (born out of his political activism no doubt): “Figures don’t lie, but liars do figure.”

Now we have a new post-internet age slogan from rookie Selectman Aaron Hayden: “Numbers are slippery things.”

No Mr. Hayden, numbers are not slippery things. They are simply numbers. They are what they are! And you or anybody else should not be afraid of them. And if so, what are you trying to hide?

"Sunshine is the best disinfectant"