What’s In This Issue?
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ANALYTICS
The Indy was on vacation last week and posted very little new content. Hence, our analytics for the week are not especially informative. Analytics will return next week, comparing this week’s issue to the week prior to our vacation break.
TOP FIVE MOST-READ STORIES IN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS IN AUGUST
1. GOL Committee Recommends Removing Councilors From Climate Action Committee By Art Keene
2. Planning Board Delays Recommendation On Rezoning CVS Lot For Parking Garage by Maura Keene
3. Council Places Library Project On November Ballot And Approves New Polling Place by Art Keene
4. Boards Weigh In On Designs For Garcia’s Restaurant And Pomeroy Lane Intersection by Hilda Greenbaum
5. Planning Board Approves Plans For Five-Story Mixed-use Building At 11 East Pleasant Street by Maura Keene
WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE?
NEW / BREAKING
Issues & Analyses: Illinois City’s Reparations Plan Was Heralded – But Locals Say It’s A Cautionary Tale
by Kiran Misra
Letter: When It Comes To Zoning, Town Government Appears To Reject Public Input And The Concept of Planning by Ira Bryck
Kendrick Park Ribbon Cutting On August 24
COVID 19 Update For The Week Of August 18, 2021 by Art and Maura Keene
ARTS
New Photography Exhibit By Larry Rankin
Photos Of The Week: Great Black Wasps by Robin Jaffin
CAMPUS
Town Of Amherst And UMass Adopt Indoor Mask Requirements
New UMass Report Explores How Local Food Systems Responded To Meet Local Needs During COVID-19 Pandemic
COVID-19
COVID 19 Update For The Week Of August 18, 2021 by Art and Maura Keene
Town Of Amherst And UMass Adopt Indoor Mask Requirements
COVID 19 Update For The Week Of August 11, 2021 by Art and Maura Keene
DOWNTOWN
Letter: When It Comes To Zoning, Town Government Appears To Reject Public Input And The Concept of Planning by Ira Bryck
Letter: Too Many Unanswered Questions About Rezoning Lot Behind CVS For A Parking Garage by Jennifer Taub
ELECTIONS
Town Council Seeks Residents To Serve On Districting Advisory Board
ENVIRONMENT /CLIMATE / NATURE
Issues & Analyses: Major Climate Changes Inevitable And Irreversible – IPCC’s Starkest Warning Yet By Fiona Harvey
Letter: Fort River Watershed Needs Retention Dams With Navigable Spillways by John Boothroyd
Opinion: Local And Green (#27): Our Biggest Enemy Is No Longer Climate Denial But Climate Delay by Darcy DuMont
Opinion: The Threats Caused By “Pure Trash” Lies by Marty Nathan
Almanac: Spreadwings by Stephen Braun
Photos Of The Week: Great Black Wasps by Robin Jaffin
EVENTS
Kendrick Park Ribbon Cutting On August 24
New Photography Exhibit By Larry Rankin
FEATURES
Almanac: Spreadwings by Stephen Braun
Photos Of The Week: Great Black Wasps by Robin Jaffin
Town Manager Report For August 2, 2021
FOOD
New UMass Report Explores How Local Food Systems Responded To Meet Local Needs During COVID-19 Pandemic
HOUSING
Housing Trust Considers How to Use Federal Covid Relief Funds by Maura Keene
ISSUES AND ANALYSES
Issues & Analyses: Illinois City’s Reparations Plan Was Heralded – But Locals Say It’s A Cautionary Tale
by Kiran Misra
Issues & Analyses: Major Climate Changes Inevitable And Irreversible – IPCC’s Starkest Warning Yet by Fiona Harvey
LITIGATION
Judge To Decide If Lawsuit Against Town Over Petition Signatures Goes Forward by Art Keene
OPINION
Letter: When It Comes To Zoning, Town Government Appears To Reject Public Input And The Concept of Planning by Ira Bryck
Letter: Absence Of Checks And Balances In Town Government Undermines Democracy by Meg Gage and Michael Greenebaum
Letter: Too Many Unanswered Questions About Rezoning Lot Behind CVS For A Parking Garage by Jennifer Taub
Letter: Fort River Watershed Needs Retention Dams With Navigable Spillways by John Boothroyd
Opinion: Local And Green (#27): Our Biggest Enemy Is No Longer Climate Denial But Climate Delay by Darcy DuMont
Opinion: The Threats Caused By “Pure Trash” Lies by Marty Nathan
Opinion: Love Justice And Climate Change. Danger In The Attack On Critical Race Theory by Russ Vernon-Jones
PUBLIC HEALTH
Town Of Amherst And UMass Adopt Indoor Mask Requirements
COVID 19 Update For The Week Of August 11, 2021 by Art and Maura Keene
Cooling Site Will Be Open At The Bangs Community Center Through Friday, Aug. 13
SOCIAL JUSTICE
Issues & Analyses: Illinois City’s Reparations Plan Was Heralded – But Locals Say It’s A Cautionary Tale
by Kiran Misra
Opinion: Love Justice And Climate Change. Danger In The Attack On Critical Race Theory by Russ Vernon-Jones
TOWN GOVERNMENT
Letter: When It Comes To Zoning, Town Government Appears To Reject Public Input And The Concept of Planning by Ira Bryck
Letter: Absence Of Checks And Balances In Town Government Undermines Democracy by Meg Gage and Michael Greenebaum
Judge To Decide If Lawsuit Against Town Over Petition Signatures Goes Forward by Art Keene
Housing Trust Considers How to Use Federal Covid Relief Funds by Maura Keene
Town Council Seeks Residents To Serve On Districting Advisory Board
Cooling Site Will Be Open At The Bangs Community Center Through Friday, Aug. 13
Letter: Too Many Unanswered Questions About Rezoning Lot Behind CVS For A Parking Garage by Jennifer Taub
Town Manager Report For August 2, 2021