Commemorative vs. Celebratory

So some critics would be tempted to say that Amherst--the town named after a supposed mass murderer who spearheaded biological warfare against Native Americans--can fly their 29 American commemorative flags for a 250th Anniversary Parade, but not to commemorate the almost 3,000 Americans slaughtered on the morning of 9/11.

And if the flags were simply celebratory flags that only flew on holidays like July 4, Labor Day, and Bunker Hill Day, that would be one thing. But they are, after all, called Commemorative Flags--and they do fly on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, both somber reminders of the cost of our freedoms so very many take for granted.

As long as they're "CLEARED"

Click to enlarge/read. Uploaded 2:00 PM

So I get a call mid-noon from a reporter at my favorite bricks-and-mortar newspaper, the Springfield Republican requesting comment (since I'm Amherst's token conservative) about a Warrant Article signed by 129 residents coming before Town Meeting this fall (a painfully outdated legislative body I first joined in 1991) concerning relocating Guantanamo Detainees to the People's Republic of Amherst.

Of course my first reaction is laughter (Only in Amherst!) and then I rant and rave a bit mentioning how peacenik, do-gooders went to Iraq in 1991 (the first Gulf War supported by 90% of America, but unanimously NOT by Amherst Town Meeting) just before coalition forces pulled the trigger and Saddam Hussein used the naive nitwits as shields.

But then she pointed out the key word "cleared"--as in, they had nothing to do with 9/11, the USS Cole sneak attack, bombing our embassies in Africa, etc. They were simply caught up in the reaction to that horrible, horrible day--forever emblazoned in our psyche as the numbers 9/11.

Although I'm sick of the bricks-and-mortar media story about how that newfangled DNA evidence proves somebody innocent who has been imprisoned for 20 years, I agree those innocent victims should be justly compensated.

Only as long as they are CLEARED: by the FBI, CIA, Justice Department, and even our little old Northwestern District Attorney. Under those conditions, bring 'em on!

A shining knight for public safety

Town Mangler, Town Clerk, Chief Livingstone, Princess Stephanie

So last night's Select Board meeting was one of the more interesting I've observed in my 25+ years of suffering such meetings. It certainly was nice to witness a sea of blue uniforms standing at attention for a happy ceremony rather than a funeral.

Amherst is in extraordinarily good hands with the new Chief Scott Livingstone; equally so with Captain Mike Kent as back up. I would defend a fox hole with either of them.

Traffic tantrum

Guilford Mooring on the hot seat, reading sanitized feedback.

About the only thing diffident town officials (Town Manager, DPW chief and Select Board) seemed sure of was the acrimonious "experiment" to reroute Umass traffic around adjacent neighborhoods (into of course some other neighborhoods) should continue until the scheduled September 23 end date.

Even Public Works Committee Chair Steve Braun (who just happens to live on Lincoln Avenue) backed away from declaring the barriers a success and Phil Jackson (who also lives on Lincoln Avenue) indefatigable architect of the three-year public relations campaign to smother traffic, attacked the media for singling out Lincoln Avenue while downplaying Fearing, Sunset, and McClellan streets and playing up divisiveness.

And Mr. Jackson should know something about "the media", as he is an Amherst Bulletin columnist.

The Town Manager described September 9--the first day of the 15 day experiment--as "chaotic". Guilford Mooring, DPW Chief, described some of the public comments that have come in enough "to make a sailor blush."

But this is Amherst, so the study continues...
#############################################################################
-----Original Message-----
From: amherstac@aol.com
To: mooringG@amherstma.gov; ShafferL@amherstma.gov; selectboard@amherstma.gov
Sent: Tue, Sep 15, 2009 5:27 pm
Subject: Public Documents Request

Could I please get copies (electronic or hardcopy) of all the public comments sent to the DPW, Town Manager, and Select Board concerning the "traffic calming" experiment on Lincoln Ave (and related streets) from the citizens of Amherst.

Thanks,

Larry Kelley

Another vehicular homicide

Bad things, they say, happen in three's. Let's hope not.

This weekend's hit-and-run death of Umass student Blake Goodman, cycling on Montague Road, coming on the wheels of Misty Basi's equally tragic demise on University Drive last Memorial Day will give me pause later today when I saddle up for my daily ride about town.

The haunting "Ghost Bike", chained to a tree near the Hanger Pub & Grill close to the spot Misty died, disappeared a couple of weeks ago. Maybe it will now reappear out on Montague Road.

Unforgettable

No words necessary.

Except perhaps thanks to the hardy half-dozen or more who joined me in town center to mark the 106 or so momentous minutes, and thanks to the many many dozens who beeped their horns, raised their thumbs, waved or pulled over to say "thank you."

Of course it was indeed fitting that the last few moments of the AFD ceremony was interrupted by a call for help--and off they went, just as 343 of their compatriots did eight years ago today.

REMEMBER 9/11/01

It's been far too many beers, too many tears and not nearly enough years--as the pain is still palpable. But mostly on THAT anniversary, especially during THOSE morning hours when the September sun is usually bright against a clear blue sky and daily routine sets a seemingly safe steady course.

Where were you when you heard the news? And as bits and pieces of information first floated in, when did you figure it out? Did you worry about a friend or loved one now suddenly thrust in harms way? Did you wonder what landmark, loaded with innocent people, was next?

Eight years or eighty, we must never forget.


I will be standing silently in town center on the morning of 9/11 from 8:45 until 10:30 (also attending Amherst Fire Department ceremony in front of Central Station at 9:50) clutching an American flag and my two-year-old daughter. Feel free to join me, if only for a moment or two.

UPDATE: Thursday morning (9/10, The Eve of Destruction):

Good Morning Everyone,

Below you will find a Presidential Proclamation half staff notification for Friday, September 11th from sunrise until sunset. Also, attached to this is a gubernatorial protocol for Saturday, September 12th from sunrise until sunset in honor of Specialist Jordan M. Shay of Salisbury who was killed in action.

Below please find two separate announcements for flags for Friday, September 11 and Saturday, September 12, 2009.

Pursuant to the Presidential Proclamation for September 11, 2009, the American and Commonwealth Flags will be flown at half-staff at all state buildings from sunrise to sunset on Friday, September 11, 2009.

Additionally, pursuant to gubernatorial protocol which states,

"The U.S. flag shall be flown at half-staff at all state buildings from sunrise until sunset on the day of interment of any soldier from Massachusetts who is killed in action in a war zone while on active duty,”

Please be advised that Governor Patrick has ordered that the United States flag and the Commonwealth flag be lowered to half-staff at all state buildings from sunrise until sunset on Saturday, September 12, 2009, in honor of Specialist Jordan M. Shay of Salisbury, Massachusetts who was killed in action in Iraq on September 3, 2009.

This gubernatorial order applies to:

1. The main or administration building of each public institution of the Commonwealth, e.g. Town and city halls

2. Other state-owned or state-controlled buildings

3. All state military installations

If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you,

Suzzette



Suzzette Waters

State House Event Coordinator