Amy Battisti: Hilchey ‘gets things done’

I’m writing to express my support for Tim Hilchey’s candidacy for the Deerfield Select Board.

Ferd Wulkan: FCCPR publicizes new rebates for electric bike purchases

If you’ve ever thought about buying an electric bike, now could be the time. The Massachusetts E-Bike Voucher Program is now in effect. The program assists low-and moderate-income Massachusetts residents by providing a voucher that dramatically reduces the cost of an e-bike. The program will award approximately 500 vouchers each month from April to September. Residents can apply during a two-week period each month.

Douglas Mayo: Goodbye democracy

In just a little over four months we’ve experienced a continuous erosion of our constitutional rights by President Donald Trump and his billionaire cronies. In just four months he has turned countries that were stanch allies for over 70 years, in Europe and Canada. All this as he cozies up and placates countries that are nothing but that authoritarian regimes (thugs).

My Turn: Human kindness radiates from the inside out

By MARILYN MARKS

During these times of political, economic, and climate turbulence, anger and alarm surge and tensions run high. In responding to our poly-crisis situation, we quickly assign blame. However, pointing the finger at Washington, D.C. and shouting “Tyranny!” is ideally balanced with uprooting the tyranny we may unknowingly carry within ourselves.

My Turn: The elephant in the room — nuclear weapons

BY CARRIE KLINE

Changes are coming so quickly these days that it’s hard to address anything that isn’t bleeding and burning. And yet, some issues that are urgent are largely silent, that is, until they explode. We are on the brink of disaster. Nothing can compare with the immediate decimation of life on earth as we know it. With this in mind, and motivated by the passage of resolutions in other cities and towns in our area and throughout our commonwealth, nation and world, I am bringing a Resolution in Favor of a Nuclear Weapons Freeze to the Sunderland Town Meeting on April 25.

Danielle Miller: Will never regret vote for Trump

As Democrats resist President Donald Trump here in Franklin County and throughout the United States, those of us on the right try our best to ignore their hysteria. These activists can’t fathom Trump’s appeal and are hopping mad that he has returned to the White House with “an unprecedented and powerful mandate.” The man is almost 80, but he’s still full of vim and vigour (and you’d swear he’s 20 years younger than Joe Biden). Kamala Harris, on the other hand, was just full of hot air. And, honestly, I will always feel immense joy over the fact that this unintelligible candidate failed to win a single battleground state in her doomed bid for the presidency.

Byron Coley: Tim Hilchey a positive alternative to partisanship

A vision of Deerfield’s future.

Kim George: A heartfelt thank you to our amazing volunteers

We cannot express enough gratitude for our volunteers’ incredible work for Pioneer Valley Hospice & Palliative Care. Their passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to our cause have left a lasting impact, and we feel truly fortunate to have them as members of our team.

Jeremy Williams: Welcome, brothers and sisters

Walking in others’ shoes should be a lesson taught in all schools. This could teach empathy and compassion for what others might be going through. Sometimes we need to see and feel what others have gone through to understand and have total compassion for them.

Guest columnist Ben Grosscup: Anti-Trump resistance can’t be ‘hands off’ on militarism

By BEN GROSSCUP

My Turn: Don’t be afraid

By CARL DOERNER

Columnist Jon Huer: How dirty is our money? Very dirty

By JON HUER

Let’s imagine that you are about to eat a cookie that has been touched and handled by over a thousand (yes, a thousand) different hands. Or, you just found out that the hotel where you stayed last night used the same sheets for over 100 guests.

My Turn: We are DEI

By ELLEN VILLANI

It’s not a department that the federal government is in control of. It’s a way of life, a philosophy ingrained into our actions, behaviors and everyday lives. We practice DEI with no need of governance or directive. It is us and we are it.

Julie Cavacco: Hilchey for Deerfield Selectboard

Deerfield is in the position where we have two candidates running for a seat on the Selectboard that have both held the position. The decision of who to vote for is very easy for me.

Lew La Chance: Consider Easter services

God Bless all who attend church services 52 weeks a year. Those who attend occasionally, or have stopped visiting God, please think about going to Easter service. Remember St. Dismas, the good thief hanging on the cross next to God on Calvary. The thief told Jesus he was sorry for his sins and asked Jesus to forgive him. At the last minute, St. Dismas stole heaven.

Marilyn Pelis: Activities vary at senior centers

A recent letter writer made a valid complaint about the Greenfield Senior Center. A couple of years ago the only class, Seated Chair Dance, that I could fully participate in was suddenly ceased. I won't go into that fiasco. Immediately we were welcomed at South County. Shortly after we were invited to Erving and Turners Falls. Everyone is invited to attend any one of these facilities. They all have many activities, both regular and special. If you want a pleasant experience, check them out. You won't be disappointed.

My Turn: Let wildlife roam — An important new wildlife bill can help reconnect critical habitat

By JOHANNA NEUMANN

Humans are great at building things, but it’s also beginning to dawn on us that these impressive and sometimes magnificent structures also impact the other creatures that we share this earth with.

Guest columnist William Lambers: Easter baskets can save lives far away

By WILLIAM LAMBERS

The joy of finding an Easter basket filled with food and gifts is something you never forget. Even greater is the feeling of giving an Easter basket of food to someone in need. This has been a great tradition for many years.

Martin Dagoberto Lydgate Driggs: Defending a cornerstone of American democracy

There’s no shortage of urgent issues demanding our attention. In moments like these, we each have to choose something local and worth fighting for. For me, that’s our library.

Jim Bates: The gift that keeps on giving

With all the belly-aching, temper tantrums, hysteria and foot stomping like petulant children, the liberals writing into this newspaper since Donald Trump was re-elected have taken all the space on the opinion page. I tried to wait it out, but they are the gift that keeps on giving.