DUI Dishonor Roll X Two

About one-third of drivers arrested for drunk driving are repeat offenders

Amherst and Belchertown police each took an impaired driver off the road last weekend and in each case it was the perp's second offense.  Of course with Mass law the 3rd time is the charm, where the potentially deadly violation becomes a felony offense. 

 Gregory White, age 32 (APD booking photo)

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In Eastern Hampshire District Court on Tuesday both defendants had their cases continued to next month.

Gregory Glenn age 28

All You Need Is Love

Dallas slaughter of five officers greatest loss of life for police since 9/11

Shots fired in Dallas!  Again.

Fifty three years ago, an ambush on a slow moving Presidential motorcade sent our nation into a prolonged period of shock and grief.  Dallas would become branded as the "City of Hate".

Last night that hate manifested itself once again in a cold hearted, calculated attack on men and women in blue just doing their job, killing five.

Ironically those officers were originally on scene to oversee a citizen protest of two horrific police involved shootings of black men.

And even as officers tried desperately to tend to their own fallen comrades others risked their lives to ensure the safety of those citizens who had gathered to protest them in the first place. Because that's the nature of their calling.

At the height of the Vietnam war demonstrators used the catchphrase, "Killing for peace is like fucking for chastity."  Indeed.

Peacekeepers killing innocent civilians is wrong, as is ambushing peacekeepers just doing their job.  Or as my Irish mother used to say, "Two wrongs don't make a right."

To peacefully gather and petition our government for a "redress of grievances" is one of the most sacred rights we have as Americans. 

This outbreak of senseless violence threatens to bring about the exact opposite:  martial law.

A sad state affairs, here in the "land of the free."

Off The Streets (For Now)

APD arrests Paul Scace, age 54, June 30th at CVS

Paul Scace a "frequent flyer" with our first responders who lists his address as "streets of Amherst" was sentenced to ten days in the House of Correction after he pleaded "guilty" yesterday to the charge of "trespass" at the CVS in town center.

 Paul Scace (APD booking photo)

Which means he will not be out in time for the July 14th town sponsored community forum on homelessness .

One For Two

Centrally located Amity Street lot should reopen tomorrow

Our downtown is about half done with construction projects as the most popular downtown parking lot, adjacent to Amherst Cinema and the Jones Library, reopens for business (any minute now).

But construction continues in the north end of downtown as our DPW is preparing the area for the removal of ugly above ground utility poles, which hopefully will be completed before the lifeblood of our community -- college aged youth -- come flocking back to town the middle of next month.

 Triangle/East Pleasant intersection yesterday.  Next year will become roundabout

Another Icon Gone

Stan Ziomek, aka "Mr. Baseball"

The man who made baseball, Amherst, and civic engagement his life's work has been called back.

But his memories will remain in the most prominent playing field in town named in his honor, the generations of players who came up under his tutelage or anyone who interacted with him via the Rotary, Recreation Department or his long time spent as DPW Director and Tree Warden.

 Ziomek Field, the little office he used to hand out baseball uniforms (far left) and War Memorial Pool he made happen

While I was never particularly adept at the great game of baseball I learned from Stan how to work hard at what you love, play fair, and never, ever, surrender. Qualities that served me well in sport karate.

So long Stan.  Enjoy the view.  You now have the best seat in the house.

Click frame for better viewing

SJC Approves Pot Question

If Amherst's medical market is $10 million what will the recreation market be?

The November 8th ballot will spark a historic turnout in our little college town as it becomes a perfect storm for generating interest:  A Presidential contest, a marijuana legalization question and a local pocket book issue with a $30+ million Debt Exclusion Override for a new Amherst elementary Mega School.

Today the State Judicial Supreme Court unanimously (7-0) approved placing the legalization of recreational marijuana on the November 8th ballot, but did slap the Attorney General for her original wording of the question.

The new wording for the title of the question is:

"Legalization, Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana."

And the summary is as follows:

"A yes vote would allow persons 21 or older to possess, use and transfer marijuana and products containing marijuana concentrate (including edible products) and to cultivate marijuana, all in limited amounts,  and would provide for the regulation and taxation of commercial sale of marijuana and marijuana products."

It's Like A Heat Wave

Town Common last week

Since my bricks-and-mortar media friends made such a big deal about Groff Park wading pool being closed on July 4th and probably not open this coming weekend, maybe the town can wound two birds with one drone and invite kids to play in the sprinklers used to water the Town Common and/or Memorial Field.

 Wading Pool leaks require constant refilling

The fire department doesn't seem to mind the DPW tapping into hydrants and if the town website disclosed the hours on a HOT weekend when irrigation is happening kids could show up in their bathing suits.

 Memorial /Ziomek Field

And, if that works, maybe employ it to welcome back college students on Labor Day weekend.  We could even charge admission (for spectators).

War Memorial aka "the big pool" is open

Mill River pool and Wading Pool are open 

Puffers Pond is open

Let Freedom Ring

Amherst town center 7:00 AM.  Weather could not be more perfect

Commemorative flags are down to 20  due to wind damage (I rescued this one)

South Amherst 7/4 Community Picnic and Parade (10:00 AM):

 Hundreds attended this generations old family friendly patriotic community event

Wagner Farm (2:00 PM)

Silver Bridge near Puffers Pond (3:00 PM)

AFD & APD on scene for a campfire built by swimmers under the bridge

Puffers Pond (5:30 PM)

 Main beach

Not much water going over the dam

UMass McGuirk Stadium (6:30 PM)

 LSSE town sponsored celebration

Sundown (8:35 PM)

Fireworks (9:45 PM)

Ancient Family 4th of July Tradition

The South Amherst historic common, aka Fiddlers Green, will also turn red white and blue tomorrow morning

The 140+ year old South Amherst Community 4th of July Picnic is the perfect blend of a family oriented patriotic event that would have moved Norman Rockwell to get out his brushes.
  

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Because children are the bedrock of any community.   And in this digital age of electronic gadgets, it's especially nice to see a wholesome event that brings people together in the great outdoors.

July 4th weather will also be perfect!

Pot Dispensary Local Hurdles Cleared

55 University Drive:  From wings to medical marijuana

Mass Alternative Care became the first of four competing medical marijuana dispensaries to receive their Special Permit from the Amherst Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday night, with some conditions that they will no doubt meet.

Their facility is located at 55 University Drive, the former location of the Hanger Pub & Grill (who moved across the street), and they will share the building with Hospice Care thrift shop.  

Mass Alternative Care was second to acquire their Letter of Support from the Amherst Select Board and second to apply for their Special Permit with the ZBA.

169 Meadow St RMD site for GTI

The 3rd company to gain Select Board support, GTI, is proposing a dispensary at 169 Meadow Street in North Amherst, but they were first to appear before the ZBA.   Their Special Permit hearing, however, was continued to July 21st.

Their attorney, Tom Reidy, thought the reason Mass Alternative Care got their Special Permit in only a one night hearing is because they already have their Provisional Certificate of Registration with the Department of Public Health, something his clients will have by the their next appearance before the ZBA.

 Rich Slobody (maroon shirt) APD Chief Scott Livingstone (back left)

In the audience Thursday night, besides attorney Reidy, two other stakeholders from other pot dispensaries watched the proceedings:  Rich Slobody, who is building a 2,000 square foot facility at 85 University Drive for MassMedicum, who was the first non profit to garner Select Board approval.

 85 University Drive under construction for MassMedicum

 Attorney Tom Reidy (back left) Mass Alternative Care CEO Kevin Collins (front left)

And Jerry Jolly who owns Rafters (the business but not the building) at the corner of University Drive and Amity Street which was the 4th location to receive Select Board approval.

 Rafters has been a local landmark for 25 years proposed site for Happy Valley Ventures

Happy Valley Ventures would demolish the current building and perhaps build an additional building on the property but seems to have no plans to keep Rafters on site.

If Mass Alternative Care now goes on to acquire a state license they plan to commence cultivation in November and start selling the medicinal products in Amherst by July, 2017.

The ZBA must make a determination that a facility "meets a demonstrated need" thus the 4th entity to go before them could find the need has been met by the previous three.

Temporary Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner told the Select Board Amherst's medical marijuana market is estimated at $10 million annually, and could generate $250,000 to the town via Host Community Agreements.

A voluminous winning proposal (must have been the aerial cover shot)

Obviously if Massachusetts voters pass the referendum question on November 8th to legalize recreational use of marijuana, the Amherst market e-x-p-a-n-d-s exponentially. 

Commemorative vs Festive

Commemorative flags up for July 4th, main flag at half-staff to honor Petty Officer 2nd Class Andrew Clement, US Navy, a Massachusetts native

After almost 15 years -- with 14 of them being a constant battle -- I'm a little embarrassed to admit this morning was the first time I read the 2002 Annual Town Report entry for our illustrious Select Board, probably written by then Town Manager Barry Del Castilho.

 Click to enlarge/read

Now it somewhat makes sense one of the (less flag hating) arguments used to keep the 29 commemorative flags down for a dozen of the 9/11 anniversaries since that stunning day:  The misconception that the commemorative flags are "festive".

And obviously 9/11 is as far from festive as one can possible get.

But if the flags were always intended to be "festive" why was Memorial Day included in the original six days our Select Board came up with at that infamous meeting only 12 hours before two planes streaked out of clear blue sky, impaling the most prominent buildings in the New York skyline?

Because Memorial Day is a time to remember those who have laid down their lives to keep us free.  So that too is not exactly "festive."

Main Street, USA

As we slowly slide closer and closer to the 15th anniversary of that still unbelievable morning, all it takes (for me at least) is a typical gorgeous sun splashed summer day, or perhaps the ringing of church bells, to momentarily bring me back to that horrible, horrible time.

But perhaps the presence of those flags -- now down to 21 -- will inspire some of the thousands of college aged youth flocking to our little town for the first time to pause for a brief moment, to ponder the joys of life we take for granted.

Something horrifically snatched from 3,000 innocent souls, who were simply going about their business on a late summer morning that started out ever so routine.

  Our State #1 for flag lowering

A Question of Priorities (Sort Of)

Police Station was derided as "too big"; Town Hall renovation "too expensive."

The picture of what four major building projects looming on the not so distant horizon will look like is quickly developing -- like one of those classic Polaroid instant photos -- and the results are nothing less than shocking.

At the Finance Committee meeting Wednesday night members engaged in a one hour discussion of the BIG picture i.e. an overview of all four projects, something that has not been done to date.

 Finance Committee.  Kay Moran's final meeting (out with a bang)

Co-acting chief financial officer Claire McGinnis filled in the Town Meeting financial advisers with the latest dollar figures that Amherst will need to come up with exclusive of the state money involved with the Library expansion and new Mega School.

The projected grand total is a whopping $105.5 million dollars, or one-tenth of a BILLION:  $33 million each for the new elementary school and DPW building.  $22 million for the new South Fire Station.  And $17.5 million for the Jones Library expansion.

Although Library Director Sharon Sharry puts the number at $20 million of town money with the Library attempting to raise $5 million in private fund raising.

Finance Committee member Steve Braun lamented the current state of affairs saying the process has been "skewed" by the state grants and the two projects (Library & School) involved have -- almost unfairly -- gone to the head of the line.

Others joined in, complaining that "affordability for the average taxpayer" has not been an overall priority and each individual project seems to act like they are the only project.  Kind of like those college professors who piled on work like they were the only course you were taking.

Outgoing Finance Committee Chair Kay Moran said, "It will come down to which projects the people wish to pay for."

That supposes of course that all four will be put to the voters as an Override, but that may not necessarily be the case.  Town Meeting twice approved Overrides for Town Hall renovations 20 years ago and both times the voters said "no".

Town meeting then went ahead and did it anyway by use of borrowing, which also required a two-thirds vote, but bypassed the voters.

The American Way

Land off Moody Bridge Road/South Maple Street, Hadley

The guaranteed way to preserve a scenic view is to buy it. And as long as you don't use tax dollars that come out of everybody -- even those who don't like scenic views -- conservatives have no problem with it.

For instance, over a 100 neighbors in North Amherst signed a petition article for the town to take the Cherry Hill Golf Course by eminent domain thirty years ago and we ended up paying $2.2 million ($4.4 million in today's dollars) simply to avoid a 134 unit high end housing development around the golf course.

Cherry Hill absorbs a lot of sun, and tax dollars

Since then the municipally operated white elephant golf business has gone on to squander over $1 million in operations.

But the plea to save the beautiful open space in our neighboring farm town will use privately donated money, and the land has nothing to do with the luxurious game of golf.

So I wish them well.

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