Final flight

Amherst downtown commemorative flag

Exactly ten years ago, at the mundane Monday night Select Board meeting, in the atypical quaint New England town of Amherst, a typical ideological clash played out over the fate of 29 commemorative American flags, branded by critics as "militaristic", and "a symbol of terrorism and death and fear and destruction and repression," or "it's not something to be proud of."

But a passionate defender of the flags said the most disconcerting thing of all, his voice tinged with anger: "You desecrated those flags! When you took those flags down, you might as well burn those flags." As I drove home that night, I wondered about how to undo the desecration of an American flag?

The next morning a massive, monstrous desecration unfolded--stunning beyond anything any of us could even imagine . The flags went back up at half staff that mournful morning and continued to fly until the day after Thanksgiving, when they came down on a particularly raw overcast day, after the cold wind whipped them like a boxer pounding a speed bag.

I then realized the flags were destined to wear out, and, like the Twin Towers, disappear in smoke and fire. A baptism that would undo any perceived desecration but leave behind nothing to remember. So I decided to preserve just one, and embarked on a quest to cure a sacrilege without sacrificing the cloth.

On the night of December 1, less than three months after the sneak attack, Ground Zero was still smoldering and New York City was bathed in an almost purifying white light from a full moon hanging in a cloudless sky. Security was extraordinarily tight, with every street heading to Ground Zero guarded by police and military--some of them wielding machine guns.

I had told the flag's story so many times that evening it became a well rehearsed elevator pitch. Finally, one taciturn beat cop managed to get me down to the sacred ground, helping me hold the flag for my nervous wife to capture in her fist attempt at using a digital camera, and then silently escorted us back to a somber crowd watching from behind police barricades.

My parting words to him were a kind of a therapeutic promise. The Ground Zero flag would fly in Amherst town center one last time, "on the day Bin Laden is captured or killed--preferably the latter." It was the only time he almost smiled.

I retired early and missed President Obama breaking the joyous news about the death of the monster who masterminded 9/11. So tomorrow I will do as I have done annually since the first anniversary: mark the time of the attack standing in Amherst town center holding an American flag.

Only this time--with a very special flag. A promise kept...albeit late.

Columnist Izzy Lyman remembers the "Eve of Destruction."

Town Manager John Musante doing better

Update on Town Manager John Musante’s Condition
(September 9, 2011)
Marlene Musante, through Town Hall, is issuing the following statement:

John is recovering well from injuries sustained in Tuesday morning’s fall. Tests indicate no health concerns contributed to this fall, and slippery conditions are considered the prime factor.

He is expected to leave the hospital in the next few days to continue his recuperation at home.

Rest is the most crucial element to his healing. Visits and phone calls will be limited and no visitors can be accepted without prior arrangement.

Every head injury is different, and a timeline for the recovery process is impossible to predict. However, he has made great progress already, and we are optimistic that he may be able to return to work in several weeks.

John has inspired all of us with his strength and resiliency, and he has kept his sense of humor throughout this ordeal.

John’s care at Baystate has been outstanding. We are enormously grateful for the talent and kindness of his medical team.

We are so appreciative of all the good wishes we have received. It means so much to know that we are surrounded by such caring and support. Please accept my heartfelt thanks, on behalf of John and our entire family.

When there is more information to provide, additional statements will be issued.

Freebird

Nothing to do but pray

Amherst Town Manager John Musante, SB Chair Stephanie O'Keeffe

(See 1:30 PM update below)

I rejected using the above photo on the night of August 22 because it looked as though Selectboard Chair Stephanie O'Keeffe and the Town Manager were bowing their heads in prayer or observing a solemn moment of silence. Now the town is collectively doing exactly that, holding our breath, awaiting an update.

(They were actually reading a draft report of Mr. Musante's job performance, which was concisely summed up by Ms. O'Keeffe as "stellar.")

This week started out emotional enough as memories of 9/11 fill the air on the runup to Sunday's milestone anniversary. If 9/11 taught us anything, it is that life can change forever in a single moment. Whether trudging to work on a stunningly clear Tuesday morning, or walking your dog in the rain.

And yes, that's far from fair.
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UPDATE: 1:30 PM Some good news to report!

Marlene Musante, through Town Hall, is issuing the following statement with regard to John’s condition, following his accident Tuesday morning:

John has been and remains in stable condition, and he is continuing to improve. His physicians have never assessed his condition as “critical” and reports to the contrary are erroneous.

John is being cared for in Baystate Medical Center’s Critical Care Unit. He would have been in the Intermediate Care Unit if there had been a bed available. These units provide the frequency of nursing care for the monitoring he requires.

It is understandable in such a circumstance that people will speculate on how this accident occurred, but the cause is unknown. In particular, our beloved dog may have had nothing to do with John’s fall, but he certainly was instrumental in John being identified and assisted.
John and our whole family are grateful for the enormous outpouring of prayers, good wishes and offers of assistance we have received.

It is such a comfort to have the support of friends, co-workers and the community in a difficult time like this. Thank you all very much.

Springfield Republican reports the sad news

Labor Day weekend rap up

Besides issuing $300 noise violation tickets after arresting three party hardy types at #164 Sunset Avenue, the Amherst Police Department also arrested and fined 13 young offenders for what seems to be the most common alcohol violations in a college town where college is in session: "Liquor. Person under 21 possession," and "Open container."

And since these laws are fairly uniform nationwide, it's hard to argue "I didn't know."

APD busted another party apartment at Meadow Street Townhouse Apartments (scene of many past riots) under the noise ordinance with three arrested and each fined $300. The most serious violation concerning alcohol--Operating Under the Influence--only had one offender, but it only takes one to cause untold damage.

APD also distributed another dozen or so warnings for noise violations.

Borne back ceaselessly into the past

In 2001 wi-fi emitters did not get in the way of the commemorative flags

Ten years ago today the color drained from downtown Amherst as 29 red white and blue flags were removed from their perches on a gorgeous late summer Labor Day, no different from the mid-August Monday morning when they first flew to "test the apparatus," but looked so good the veterans agent decided to keep them flying.

Ten years ago today the congestion in downtown Amherst had returned to a busy peak after a seasonal summer of slumber. College kids came and went in all directions, while harried shopkeepers set a busy pace trying to keep up.

Today, Labor Day, the flags flew again. Ten years ago they were not scheduled to fly on 9/11...but did. At half staff. This Sunday on 9/11 they are scheduled to fly. Briefly.

They're Back: Party House Pre-Madonnas

Amherst Police Department 111 Main St

So I knew it was going to be an interesting "Party House of the Weekend" selection process this morning when the weekend police logs ran 49 pages compared to the usual 18 or 19, and the parking space directly in front of APD was occupied by an empty Bud Light beer can.

But even with these fortuitous foreshadowing facts, this week's winner still stands out for, well, stupidity. Stranger still, the ages of these party boys clearly indicate they are not newbie freshman. I guess it's going to be a l-o-n-g semester.

I'll let the log entries speak for themselves:

164 Sunset Avenue. Current assessment $428,000

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Noise Complaint: Gone on Arrival
164 Sunset Avenue
2:00 AM (early Saturday morning)


Assist Citizen: Services Rendered
164 Sunset Avenue
9:44 AM Saturday

RP (reporting party) called to advise for the last three days running, the new occupants of #164 Sunset have been noisy, both from loud stereos and voices of people standing out in the front yard. Mr. H stated that several times, groups of students have walked down the street past his house, yelling and joking, headed toward the Fraternity house at #118 Sunset. He believes that they have found nothing going on or were turned away and then walk back up the street and end up in the yard at #164. He stated that these groups of students then wind up outside and inside #164 making noise until 3:00 AM. Mr. H also related that there is now a swath of trash in the roadway and lawn of the residences along this route. He noted beer bottles and cans and cups, etc. I advised Mr. H that his concerns would be brought to the attention of the Officers that work in this sector and that enforcement activities would be brought to bear on the residents of this location.

Assist Citizen: Services Rendered
164 Sunset Avenue
11:57 AM
I received an email from Mrs H relative to the noise and students congregating in the yard at 164 Sunset Avenue. She reports that the new tenants of that residence have produced a great deal of noise and foot traffic in the area for the last three nights running. She states that two of the residents did come to the house to speak with her relative to their noise issues and these persons requested Mrs H call them when problems arose. Mrs H did call these residents twice overnight about the noise problem, each time some effort was made by the residents to quell the noise and disperse the students gathered on the front lawn. Each time the noise and problem did return within a short time. Mrs H reports that the residents of the house are planning to have a party the evening of 09/04 but have promised to end the gathering at 10:00 PM. Mrs H does not believe that the residents have the ability to control the party. She is also concerned about the altercations that were heard brewing but does not believe any fights took place overnight. She also mentions trash, beer cans and bottles thrown in the street and in front of the building by persons drinking on the front lawn.

Community Policing. Services Rendered
164 Sunset Avenue
8:00 PM

I stopped and spoke with the residents of #164 Sunset Avenue. I provided them with the TBL (town bylaw) information sheets, my business card, and a thorough description of what the by-laws were meant to deter, and how enforcement was going to be meted out. I asked if they had any questions as to what was going to happen to them. They had none.

Noise Complaint. Adults Arrested
164 Sunset Avenue
10:15 PM
RP reports loud party at location.

Three residents arrested from listed location for violation of TBL noise. Loud party when Officers arrived. Approximately 40+ guests at house. Many college aged and consuming alcohol.

Arrested:

XXXXXXX, 164 Sunset Avenue, Amherst,MA, age 22
Zachary Wilgus, 164 Sunset Ave, Amherst, MA, age 21
Thomas Griffin, Westchester Rd, Jamaica Plain, MA age 21