As January 2024 approached, I wrote a column candidly sharing that I did not know what made me happy anymore. At the time, I was dealing with a big loss. My grandfather John, who was more of a best friend than a typical grandpa — had passed away a few months earlier. I was starting a new year — a year without him — and I felt as though everything I knew and was comfortable with had changed.
A few years ago, I wrote a column titled, “The most valuable gift can be the gift of time.” Those words have stayed with me, and as the Thanksgiving season reminds us to reflect on gratitude, they feel more relevant than ever.
I have always been interested in setting goals and working toward them, which is everything the new year is branded to be: an opportunity to look ahead at what you would like to achieve and coming up with a plan to achieve it.
Normally I don’t find myself becoming invested in many of the ballot measures that are proposed to Massachusetts voters come election season. This year however, several of the questions caught my eye.
On June 20, the Northampton City Council voted down the fiscal year 2025 budget after three councilors voted against it because it did not include a requested 14% budget increase for the schools, as approved by the School Committee at a meeting in April. The 14% budget increase would have ensured a level-service budget and no cuts to positions.
Twenty-four years as the head coach of the New England Patriots. Six Super Bowl titles. Nine AFC Championship victories. Seventeen AFC East titles. Bill Belichick is no longer the head coach of the New England Patriots.
The way that life can twist and turn about always amazes me. For instance, a couple of years ago I received a Facebook message from a guy I didn’t know. He happens to be the grandson of my grandmother’s brother.
So, a couple of weeks ago as I stood on the train platform at Union Station listening to elected and transportation officials talk about the status of additional passenger train service between here and Boston, I realized that no one acknowledged former state Sen. Eric Lesser.
I don’t know about you, but twice a week when I go to Buckeye Brothers in the South End of Springfield to buy Powerball tickets and receive wisdom from my friend Dave Glantz, I play a little mental game.
What goes into your process of determining how you are going to vote? Now, I realize many people instantly would talk about party or their self-described political status such as conservative, liberal, libertarian or other, but it’s historically clear that many factors come into play.
It was 2021 when a veterinary oncologist blew up our world. Our cherished dog Scotty had cancer. Chemotherapy was said to give him six months more to live, so we gave it a shot.
The Board of Assessors is responsible for determining the fair and equitable valuation of all real and personal property in the town and proposing the tax rate, in accordance with Massachusetts laws. The BOA impacts every residence and business.
As the holiday season fills our homes with warmth, joy, and family, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to you for the trust you’ve placed in me to serve as your State Senator.
Article 6 is a wakeup call to Longmeadow residents signed by over 300 citizens who agree that the current Williams Middle School site is the wrong location. At the Nov. 12 Town Meeting, voters will get to decide whether they support a new consolidated middle school to be built on the current (WMS) property site despite some major disadvantages which threaten long term consequences for the town.
I would like to address last weeks Letter to the Editor, asking Longmeadow residents to vote yes on Article 6. Contrary to the opinion of the MSBC, we are not trying to derail the process, we are trying to find a better solution and location for the proposed new combined middle school. Let me address each of their points.
The town of Longmeadow, with its excellent public school system, has the immediate need of a new middle school as the current two, Glenbrook and Williams, are in deplorable and outdated condition and repeatedly need maintenance and costly repairs.
