The Cost of Social Justice

Buses wait for their precious cargo at Crocker Farm School

Amherst Regional Public Schools teach social justice; in fact, some would argue our schools preach social justice.  But when it comes time to actually walk the walk and put money where your mouth is, school leadership acts like a Robber-Baron Scrooge squeezing pennies out of those who can least afford it.

Yes, the highest paid administrator in the most expensive public school in the entire region forced the lowest paid employees in the system--bus drivers and custodians-- to sign a legal gag order to receive $18,840 in total wages they were legally owed after the business office miscalculated annual days worked over the years.

But why such heavy handed secrecy?  Perhaps because other low paid full time staff--secretarial and clerical employees, audio-visual technicians, and media aides--are currently unaware they too were unfairly shortchanged over the years and could also demand equal compensation. 

Astonishing.

The sad back-story told in emails

AFSCME Gag Order Amherst Schools

Summer Fun Delayed

War Memorial Pool Monday morning 9:30 AM

5:20 PM Breaking News:  Opening Delayed by one week (Shocked, shocked I say!)

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So the likelihood of the Town Manager announcing tonight that the "grand reopening celebration" of the long closed War Memorial Pool optimistically set by Leisure Services and Supplemental Education for June 23rd is still a "go" is about as likely as Amherst supporting Scott Brown in the upcoming Senatorial election.

While all my otherwise reliable sources refuse to comment today, the photo from this morning speaks for itself (and counts for at least 1,000 words).

In an effort to save money the town had the DPW do major site work rather than contracting it out to the private sector, such as Taylor Davis Landscaping--who specializes in meeting deadlines. 

Friday June 15th: All DPW hands on deck

 And of course to adhere to that penny wise philosophy, the DPW did not work on the project over the weekend as that would have added the high cost of paying overtime to workers (not to mention having dads work on Fathers Day).

Just say No

Hess Express South Amherst
 

UPDATE 2:30 PM The hearing tonight is off and has been postponed until July 16

The Amherst Select Board acting as Liquor Commissioners should deny the permit request of Hess Express for take out beer and wine sales at their exceedingly busy convenience store in the heart of the tiny commercial village center in South Amherst.

And for the same reasons they denied the request of Cumberland Farms a couple months back. Amherst does not need more convenient access to alcohol. R&P Liquors, a Pop and Son, has been a responsible provider of all things alcohol in that area since 1968; and the Select Board not too long ago gave Atkins Country Market, only a mile down the road, one of these permits.

 R&P Liquors South Amherst

The Hess Station already has self serve gas, lottery, a Subway and Dunkin' Donuts franchise so their clerks are busy enough as it is at most hours of the day. Allowing cold beer and wine to go out the door with milk, bread and a newspaper sends a troubling message.

As former APD chief Charlie Scherpa said about the Cumberland Farms application two months ago, "It will just increase the problem we already have with the distribution of alcohol."
 

 Stores within busy stores: Hess already has Dunkin' Donuts and Subway so they don't need alcohol to survive

Sweet & Sour

Taste of Amherst Day 2 

 Fearless Jada flying 

Just when you safely thought Amherst town center could not get any more inviting--the aroma of food from a plethora of providers, a live band rocking the crowd, weather more gorgeous than the day before, all topped off by a BIG beautiful American flag flapping high over the proceedings--you come upon THIS:

 Parking Ticket (bad) Taste of Amherst

A friendly reminder of the town's anti-business demeanor.

 Large signs distributed throughout parking lot in front of Town Hall

Why is it the town allows free parking around Christmas to attract visitors to the downtown but not for the biggest event of the year--The Taste of Amherst?

 If you really squint you can see the 8AM to 8PM on paystation behind Town Hall, but no other signage

Boxers figured out a long time ago that the closing round of a fight is the one that makes a lasting impression on the judges.  Topping off a fun family night with a parking ticket leaves behind a very bad taste--one that makes consumers think twice about patronizing the downtown.

Let There be Light

So its taken over a year but the traffic lights in front of busy Big Y Supermarket are, finally, working.  After all these years of drivers relying on courtesy and common sense it will be interesting to see if automation is an improvement.

DPW electrician Fred Hartwell making the connections last week

Speaking Well of the Dead

A July 4 Parade for kids, DPW, Police, Fire, Military, farmers and families.  God bless America

So I have to admit being somewhat bemused by today's enshrining editorial simultaneously published in the venerable Daily Hampshire Gazette and Amherst Bulletin lamenting the loss of the Amherst July 4th Parade next month after a march of ten consecutive years.

This from newspapers who only four years ago told the private July 4th Parade Committee to go find another holiday while simultaneously supporting the town of Amherst nationalizing the Parade in direct violation of a 9-0 Supreme Court First Amendment ruling.

Thank God for the ACLU.  Because when the mainstream media drops the ball, who else are you going to call?

Kevin Joy always made sure the July 4th Parade ran on time

Tasty Treats

Jada enjoys dessert @ Taste of Amherst

The key ingredient for making an outdoor food festival a BIG success was ever present last night and will be for the next few days, possibly pushing the 21st annual Taste of Amherst into the record books for attendance. 

Great opening night crowd 

Food samples from 23 restaurants, round-the-clock entertainment and cold beer...what more could you ask for?  Family and friends of course; and if last night is any indication, everybody seemed to be with somebody--all having a good time.

Taste of Amherst weekend hours: Friday 5-10; Saturday 12-10; Sunday 12-4
 

Town Website helps promote Taste (but they need a copy editor)