Christine Heard: Love the semicolon

Thank you, Gene Stamell, for a wonderful My Turn column about my favorite punctuation, the semicolon! For many years I have edited my children’s writing and now that of my grandchildren, even friends and colleagues, all along educating them about the use of the semicolon to clarify and dress up a sentence, bringing crispness and elan to prose writing. You provided a great deal of information new to me about the semicolon’s history and current usage. I appreciate your amusing column which I do not find “rather trivial“; I love the semicolon!

Holly Lankowski: Wolfram has a plan

I have lived in Deerfield since 1977. Over the years we have had some hurdles with funding projects and lining up priorities. We seem to jump around with what order we have for town projects. We need a plan for all town projects, not just the campus center. We have some terrific new staff at the Town Hall. We need to focus on our needs to develop long-range goals of what we expect to accomplish in 5, 10, and 15 years. We need to use their expertise to guide us forward.

Kim Wolfram: Wolfram brings a legacy of service to Deerfield

On Nov. 7, 1964, my grandmother, Virginia (Tuttle) Wolfram, passed away at the age of 43, leaving nine children. My father buried her on his 12th birthday. The town of Deerfield gathered for her funeral, reflecting on her life of service and kindness. I have grown up hearing stories about that day and how she supported those in their times of need. Sixty years later, at my Aunt Mary (Wolfram) Stokarski’s funeral on Nov. 7, 2024, her legacy was reflected in familiar faces —family, teachers, firefighters, nurses, and neighbors — who make Deerfield proud. Like her mother, she lived with generosity and dedication to community, values that continue to guide our family.

Ava Gips: Examining Wolfram record

An April 28 letter to the editor makes claims about Deerfield that don’t hold up on closer examination [“Deerfield needs David Wolfram on Select Board”]. In particular, the letter addresses property tax increases and housing affordability.

My Turn: This is not who we are

By POLLY BYERS

In the three months since President Trump took office, we have seen an unprecedented upheaval of the norms and principles that are foundational to who we are as a nation and a people. Of the myriad devastating impacts resulting from the chaotic behavior of the current Administration, the effort to disparage, dismantle and defund the institutions of America’s international leadership and engagement is most strikingly at odds with America’s fundamental values and what it has long stood for — a reliable partner, a country of opportunity and hope, and a beacon to those seeking a better life.

My Turn: A message for young Americans

By DANIEL A. BROWN

While attending the April 5 “Hands-Off” rally in Santa Fe along with 2,000 others, I couldn’t help noticing that many of us were long in the tooth which inspired some humorous conversations along the lines of “Ain’t you sick and tired of doing this?” My first protest rally was in 1966, so yeah. Plus, I’m still waiting for my check from George Soros.

Joseph Podlesny: Tim Hilchey for Select Board

Regarding the upcoming election for Select Board in Deerfield, and in response to a public statement seeking to make one particular claim tying tax increases to Select Board members. The Select Board doesn’t raise taxes. The citizens vote at Town Meeting to approve projects, like the sewer plant and the library- that raise taxes. Housing values have skyrocketed in the past 5 years which has increased taxes, while the Select Board has actually reduced the tax rate. To imply that one Select Board member is responsible for tax increases is perhaps not a completely informed suggestion. I’ve also learned that Tim Hilchey has assisted in bringing in millions of dollars in grants to pay for much needed improvements to the sidewalks which everyone was complaining about, a beautiful parking lot with high speed EV chargers which bring people to town who spend their money while waiting to charge their EV, and worked tirelessly to get money to rehab the old senior center to make new town offices without spending any local tax dollars. Tim has shown himself to be resourceful and hard working for our town. To blame him for tax increases is a false argument, and does not do justice to a man who has done so much for our town. To quote Tim Hilchey: “I’m a guy who likes to get things done, and I enjoy it.” OK, sounds good to me. And just to be clear — I am grateful that we have two good candidates to choose from, both of whom have served the community. We live in a great place here, and it’s great to see more and more citizens interested and involved.

Eve Brown-Waite: Why are we bombing Yemen?

There have been a lot of questions about how a former Fox TV host may have mangled the handling of sensitive (if not classified) military information regarding the bombing of Yemen. But there are other questions that are raised by this incident. Why are we bombing Yemen? Is that really helping anybody? If so, who? What is our interest in all of this and how many Yemenis is America willing to sacrifice for this interest? Should we maybe be discussing these questions as well?

Robin Whitcomb: Proud of Greenfield

When people in your community are having their civil rights challenged and taken away and they call on you to help, you step up and help. It’s basic humanity and it’s caring about your neighbors, coworkers, friends and family. The resolution for Greenfield to become a safe city (also known as sanctuary city) for transgender and gender diverse people is just that, an answer to the call for help and support. Unless you are part of that community or know people who are part of that community, you probably don’t realize the extent of the assault that is happening right now on their everyday lives. It’s not their responsibility to educate you, but if you’re going to argue against Greenfield becoming a safe city for them, you should step up and educate yourselves.

Mik Muller: Stand out on Wisdom Way bridge

I joined the stand out on Wisdom Way bridge over I-91 on Friday, April 25, one of the coordinated stand outs on every I-91 overpass in Massachusetts, and have this to report.

Joanne Carney: David Wolfram for Select Board

A vote for David Wolfram for Deerfield selectman is a vote for confidence. Confidence in accountability, commitment, courage and strong leadership. Town leaders have significant responsibilities and make decisions that are in the best interests of residents. Dave Wolfram has the history, and proven leadership, as a lifelong Deerfield resident, Frontier Regional School alum and class president, former police officer, EMT, volunteer firefighter and 9-year member of the Deerfield Selectboard. Experienced in preserving the town’s quality of life, he will focus on schools, community projects and senior support while conserving town resources with fiscal stability. Respect for diversity in both his personal and community experience allows for public inclusion on decision making. Life is about making good decisions. A vote for Dave Wolfram on May 5 is a vote for confidence and strong leadership.

Court Dorsey: Stand out for SMART Solar May 5

Addressing climate change is a high priority, both for the governor, and for the human family. But how it is addressed is also important. We in western Massachusetts are stewards of a bio-diverse landscape with rich farmland and a treasury of beautiful vistas.

Deborah Shriver: Tim Hilchey delivers for Deerfield

I write in enthusiastic support of Tim Hilchey for re-election to the Deerfield Selectboard. For Tim, no job is too small or too big. He commits himself to both kinds of work in his role as a Selectboard member and in so doing advances the town’s economic health. 

Pushback: Greenfield’s ‘home equity theft’ finally repaid

By AL NORMAN

At 9:50 pm on April 16, “home equity theft” was finally repaid in Greenfield. The City Council voted to pay a $354,000 settlement, including legal fees, to two former homeowners who lost their property at tax-title auctions, forfeiting equity in excess of taxes owed. Eight years after these homes were “taken,” some of their lost equity was returned.

Cathy Bertinuson: Tim Hilchey — Moving Deerfield forward, saving money

I am writing in support of Tim Hilchey’s re-election to the Deerfield Select Board. In addition to his selectboard seat, Tim has a history of service to our town, including participating in the Community Preservation Committee, South County EMS Oversight Board, Medical Reserve Corps, and Friends of Deerfield 350th fundraiser. As a selectman, he has worked tirelessly for the people of Deerfield, even donating his own physical labor! In tough financial times he has fought for state and federal funds, including almost $3 million to fund the Leary Lot and EV Charger Project— at no cost to the town.

Letter: Vote Barb Brassor for Northfield Select Board

As a Northfield business owner that has existed for 60 years I am concerned about the current voting majority of our Selectboard. Let the readers judge by the continuous choice of ill-fated projects and failures linked to the Northfield town administration over the past five years. The current elected and appointed individuals do not have the wisdom or experience to manage our $14 million a year business. I am endorsing Barbara Brassor as a superior candidate for this year’s May 6 Selectboard election. I cannot ever remember an election choice where a more qualified individual presents herself for public service. Barb has 30 years of experience of leadership in the Northfield Town Hall. Please don’t miss out on an opportunity to improve our local government. Vote Brassor on May 6.

Robert J. Decker: David Wolfram a leader Deerfield needs

For many years, I have been an active member on various boards and committees that helped “run” the town of Deerfield. My professional job and my volunteer Deerfield committee work has helped me realize the importance for voting David Wolfram as a Selectboard member. He is a no nonsense person, does not believe in smoke and mirrors, and has plain common sense with full transparency.

Richard Andriole: David Wolfram best choice for Selectboard

The Deerfield election is on Monday, May 5, one week after annual Town Meeting. There are vacancies on several committees as well as a contest for a Selectboard seat. Those elected will decide the many proposals, issues, regulations etc. the town must consider, adopt, implement etc. I hope you consider the many factors required of our elected officials to provide stable thoughtful service to the whole community. These factors are not just one’s political leanings or philosophy but also one’s knowledge of the town, its history, all its people, and what is best economically, financially and strategically for all its citizens.

Joan Page Nassivera: Deerfielders, vote for Tim Hilchey

I’ve known Tim Hilchey for more than three decades. He was a respected colleague at The New York Times and as years passed, became a treasured friend — two descriptions I don’t use all that often.

My Turn: The struggles and redemption of the semicolon

By GENE STAMELL

I don’t know about you, but I love a well-placed semicolon; it evokes a sense of drama, an air of anticipation of things to come. Yes, the human race could survive without this punctuation mark, but at what cost? Let us pause briefly (a bit of semicolon humor) and consider the situation.