Out with the old

Clark House 8/24/11

Clark House 8/29/11

On August 23 last year the Amherst Historical Commission hit Amherst College, the number one property owner in a town half owned by tax exempts, with a one year "demolition delay," the maximum extent of protection they can offer to all things historical--public or privately owned in Amherst.

The Daily Hampshire Gazette demonized the decision saying it "tested the boundaries of common sense." Coming from the Gazette, the Commission probably took that as a good sign.

Town Mgr Musante released from hospital

9/11 turned out to be an auspicious day for Town Manager John Musante. According to the breaking news wing of the Amherst town website:

(September 12, 2011) Town Manager John Musante is now recuperating at home, following injuries received in a fall on September 6th. He was released from Baystate Medical Center in Springfield on Sunday, September 11th.

“It is wonderful that John is now home and that his recovery continues to progress so well,” said David Ziomek, Acting Town Manager. “All members of the Town staff are sending him good thoughts and best wishes, and we look forward to when he is well enough to be back here with us. In the meantime, we have the Town’s business well in hand, so that he can focus all his energy on feeling better.”

Select Board Chair Stephanie O’Keeffe concurred and said “There is an incredible team here, and the community is very fortunate to have the service of such a tremendous staff. And, we are also all fortunate to serve in such a caring community. The outpouring of concern and thoughtfulness for John has been amazing.”

A statement issued last week by Musante’s wife, Marlene, indicated that his recuperation will require considerable rest, that his phone calls and visits will be limited and that visits can’t be accepted without prior arrangement. At that time, she said “We are optimistic that he may be able to return to work in several weeks.”

Meadow Street Marauders

121 Meadow Street. Directly across street from Townhouse Apartments 

While top ranked UMass and town officials and Northwestern District Attorney Dave Sullivan staked out the south side of campus Friday night intercepting throngs of students traveling by foot through residential neighbors to discuss civility, respect and politeness all while handing out raisin oatmeal cookies, the north end of campus became party central, culminating in a riot at 121 Meadow Street. According to police narrative (11:57 PM):

1000+ party guests were cleared out. While doing so, bottles were thrown at officers who had to retreat and don riot helmets for protection. It took approximately 45 minutes to clear the party out. All party guests were moved east bound down Meadow Street and toward North Pleasant Street. The resident of 121 Meadow Street was issued a TBL (town bylaw) Nuisance House violation.

Summons issued:
XXX
18 Pond Street Stoneham, MA
age 21

Issuing a $300 Nuisance House ticket sets the groundwork for holding the owner of the house responsible, because after the second offense the town can fine the landlord $300 for not controlling their irresponsible tenants.

Property card for 121 Meadow Street

Amherst 9/11/11

Amherst Town Center 8:30 AM through 10:45 AM

Ground Zero flag accompanies the 29 commemorative flags in downtown Amherst

Amherst Fire Department helps with Big Y American flag

The biggest flag to ever fly over the Amherst town common

Stan Durnakowski holds the Ground Zero flag

Mass Live Springfield Republican reports
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1:00 PM through 2:15 PM

Select Board Chair Stephanie O'Keeffe addresses the crowd

Amherst Police and Fire come to attention

Couple lost in thought, gazing at the large flag on the town common

4:30 PM through 6:00 PM

Interfaith service Grace Church

Twin Towers of Light 8:45 PM through 12 Midnight

Twin Towers cast shadows on the flag

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