"Localocracy is coming to South Hadley"

Friday, June 11, 2010
 
Localocracy is coming to South Hadley. The online website, which provides a public forum for residents to discuss issues facing their hometown, was recently endorsed by the Selectboard and is in the process of trying to gather enough participants to launch a test site before opening operations to the entire community.

The website, founded by Conor White-Sullivan and Aaron Soules, both students at the University of Massachusetts, was launched earlier this year in Amherst after the pair received a $10,000 Innovation Challenge grant from the university. The group's expansion into South Hadley comes after the duo received a second Innovation Challenge grant - this time totaling $12,500.

"Localocracy is a site where registered voters can vote on real issues and rank the best reasons for supporting their side," White-Sullivan said. "It is a platform for the entire community where everyone can see both sides of the issue."

The organization decided to establish a South Hadley site at the request of the town, which was looking for a way to promote respectful dialogue following the suicide of South Hadley High School freshman Phoebe Prince in January, White-Sullivan said.

"I was attracted to the feature that requires each person to identify themselves by name," Selectboard Vice Chairman Bob Judge said. He argued that websites and blogs where readers can post anonymous comments have poisoned debate in South Hadley.

"Anybody who is going to put their name out there, I would hope, will think about what they say: Do I want to call someone stupid or lay blame, for instance."

Localocracy is looking for 50 members of the community to participate in a test site that will help determine how the South Hadley site will be run, White-Sullivan said. Once that process is complete, a public site will be established for the entire community.

On the organization's Amherst site, a particular subject of debate is posted. Users then write their comments about that issue, and other users rank those comments according to how much they agree with them. The most popular comments appear at the top of the page.

"This is just another vehicle of communication, and the more vehicles the better," said Judge.
Individuals interested in participating in the project can contact contact@localocracy.org or selectboard@southhadley.org. The organization is online at www.localocracy.org.

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Suicide attempts rise on Cape Cod

Suicide attempts rise on Cape Cod - Cape Cod, MA - Wicked Local - Cape Cod

Selectboard Seeks Opinions through "Localocracy”

June, 2, 2010
South Hadley, MA--- The South Hadley Selectboard has endorsed an experiment to obtain opinions from residents.

Selectboard Chair John Hine announced that at its May 18 meeting, the Board endorsed a trial of http://localocracy.org for South Hadley.

According to Vice-Chair Robert Judge, the website drew a story on local public radio and has been endorsed by the Amherst Town Manager and State Senator Stan Rosenberg.

The founders of Localocracy, Conor White-Sullivan and Aaron Soules, presented the idea to the S. Hadley Selectboard at the May meeting.  “There appeared to be a consensus on the Board and in the audience that we should take the next step,” said Hine.  That next step is to get at least 50 S. Hadley residents with an email address to agree to participate in the trial or “beta,” as it is known. 

According to White-Sullivan, "We want to create a way not just to distribute ideas but to allow citizens to find the best ideas and have a voice themselves." The idea is to set up a nonpartisan site that poses questions on local issues and accepts opinions from readers. But unlike some blogs and local Web sites, those responders must use their real names and be residents of the town. Participants will be able to rank others' ideas so that viewers can tell which arguments other readers have found persuasive.

Judge said, “On the internet, most people would prefer a place where they can know they are interacting with people who have a real stake in their community, and not an anonymous screen name representing someone who may not live here.”

The Amherst site can be viewed at http://localocracy.com Any South Hadley resident who would like to participate in the South Hadley trial should send an email to Selectboard@SouthHadley.org.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T: South Hadley nears code of conduct

R-E-S-P-E-C-T: South Hadley nears code of conduct
by Chad Cain

SOUTH HADLEY - The town is on the verge of adopting a new code of conduct, a step that members of an anti-bullying task force view as one of its most important initiatives in the aftermath of an alleged bullying-related suicide.

The code, crafted by a Community Programs subgroup of the Anti-Bullying Task Force, would be prominently displayed at various public places for residents and visitors to see. It reads, "I will respect myself and my community by acting with responsibility, courtesy, integrity, and kindness."

The code further asks people to follow several basic guidelines that spell out the word "respect." Those guidelines include respond with integrity and kindness, embrace diversity, stand up courageously for others, promote a climate of safety, eliminate hurtful words and rumors, care for and listen to others with compassion and take responsibility for your actions.

South Hadley High School teachers Amy Foley and Tina Lesniak presented the code, modeled after a similar policy in place in Alberta, Canada, to the Select Board Tuesday, and also will present it to the School Committee.

Then work will begin to get the word out to the community. In addition to traditional methods such as bumper stickers, T-shirts and magnets, volunteers will conduct a door-to-door canvass of town on Saturday, June 12, to share the new policy with residents.

"I think the most important thing is to go out into the community and get feedback and ideas," Lesniak told the board.

The code will be "honored and encouraged at all community events, including athletic events." Once adopted, Foley said the task force will recommend posting it in various public places, including schools, town offices and community buildings.

Officials said the code of conduct is one of several positive steps being taken in the community in the aftermath of a tragic death. Fifteen-year-old Phoebe Prince hanged herself in January after allegedly being tormented by schoolmates. In addition to the code of conduct, other initiatives on the horizon involve creation of a youth commission and establishing a suicide-prevention coalition.

"My feeling is there is a lot of support in the town, more so than is reflected in the press," Foley said.
Additionally, a community meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, May 27, in the high school auditorium.

The meeting will attempt to harness people's need to act and to engage them in a conversation about what direction the town should head following the Prince tragedy and what events they would like to see that might help the community come together, Foley said.

Youth commission
After voters at Town Meeting earlier this month gave selectmen the go-ahead to create a youth commission, the Selectboard spent some time Tuesday discussing what the commission's mission will be and how it will be structured.

Such commissions can survey issues facing young people in town and make recommendations about actions that can be taken.

Member Bruce MacCullagh, who has been researching other communities with such commissions, floated the idea of a nine-member commission that would include three youths and a member or designated representative from the School Committee, Selectboard, Council on Aging, Board of Health, Recreation Commission and Police Department.

Member Marilyn G. Ishler didn't think the Council of Aging should be represented on the commission, and Vice Chairman Robert G. Judge questioned the idea of setting aside seats for any specific organizations.

MacCullagh, however, said those groups could designate residents to sit on the commission instead of filling the slots with one of their own.

In the end, the board agreed to bring in representatives from youth commissions in neighboring communities to get some additional ideas on what the town's commission should look like.

Efforts to establish a suicide-prevention coalition are also on the horizon. Judge and four representatives from the South Hadley schools this week are attending a statewide conference hosted by the state public health department's Suicide-Prevention Program, including one workshop on how to form such coalitions.

Judge said that after the conference ends today, he and those from the school district who attended will discuss what steps should be taken in order to propose a coalition.

Chad Cain can be reached at ccain@gazettenet.com.

Being part of solution

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

It is notable that in tough economic times for the state and municipalities, Easthampton's four school unions have agreed to a one-year contract extension with no cost-of-living increase.

The action by the 240 teachers, custodians and other staff will save the district $200,000. It will allow Easthampton to avoid layoffs and, in conjunction with other special accounts money, will help bring back a teaching position and the jobs of a guidance counselor and several aides.

In the last several years, with reductions in state aid and rising costs, municipal leaders have called for help from school and municipal unions. Most such requests have been rejected; few have stepped up in as big a way as Easthampton's school personnel. They understand - as do employees in many workplaces right now - that they must be part of the financial solution.

Easthampton Education Association President Meredith Balise noted that the concession is not easy for members, who face the same increased costs and economic struggles as everyone else. The agreement asks their families to make do with less.

In a statement she wrote: "We all hope that this action of goodwill allows the schools to remain stable in providing necessary services to students."

With teacher layoffs being discussed around the region, Easthampton stands as a model for shared sacrifice. We join school committee members, the superintendent and the mayor in thanking them for stepping up on behalf of the students.

South Hadley may begin suicide prevention coalition

by Matt Rocheleau

SOUTH HADLEY - Town officials are looking into establishing a suicide-prevention coalition, which would become the third initiative implemented in response to an alleged bullying-related suicide.

"We've had a tragedy in our town that woke up not only South Hadley, but also the nation and maybe the world," said Selectboard member Marilyn G. Ishler.

Two mental health support centers - the Behavioral Health Network based in Springfield and Riverside Community Care of Dedham - have been assisting South Hadley schools since 15-year-old Phoebe Prince hanged herself in January after being bullied by classmates, some of who are now facing criminal charges for their alleged harassment.

Last month, members from both support centers as well as the state's Suicide Prevention Program director met with various South Hadley leaders who appeared to reach a consensus that the town should take action to prevent suicide, said Selectboard Vice Chairman Robert G. Judge, who is also the board's representative to the town's anti-bullying task force.

"The more we learned, the more we agreed we need to form a coalition," Ishler said.

Following that meeting, Judge mentioned the idea of creating a suicide-prevention coalition in South Hadley to his colleagues in late April.

To further explore this idea, Judge said he plans to attend portions of a two-day, statewide conference next week hosted by the state public health department's Suicide-Prevention Program.

The ninth annual "Suicide Prevention Across the Lifespan: A Strategic Approach for Your Community" begins May 18 in Marlborough. There, Judge said he plans to attend workshops including one called "Community Coalitions: Getting The Work Done," which, according to a conference announcement, will include an overview of "what community coalitions are doing in suicide prevention throughout the country," as well as what such coalitions are doing locally.

Later in the day on May 18, Judge hopes to more formally propose the coalition's creation to Selectboard members at a scheduled meeting. Board members may vote to create a suicide-prevention coalition as soon as that evening, Judge said.

"It's not only the high school kids we have to look at," said Ishler, adding that suicide can be an issue for teens, adults and seniors alike. "We should take advantage of people's interest now to help get more support and to get more involved in bettering our community."

Selectboard Chairman John R. Hine echoed that sentiment.

"I think (a suicide prevention coalition) is something that's worthwhile to pursue," he said. "This is really a broad-based, community-based effort because suicide is an issue with more than just kids."

South Hadley created an anti-bullying task force in February, and at the annual Town Meeting on Saturday voters overwhelmingly approved the establishment of a youth commission.

Fiscal concerns rule at South Hadley TM

 

Fiscal concerns rule at South Hadley TM

by Daily Hampshire Gazette

SOUTH HADLEY - Fiscal concerns dominated the debate and subsequent voting at a lengthy, 55-article annual Town Meeting in South Hadley Saturday.

As recommended by the appropriations committee, $75,000 was slashed from next year's schools budget. The school budget accounts for nearly half of the town's overall $39 million budget.

Town Meeting members debated that issue and a $20,000 economic revitalization plan appropriation, which was turned down, for around an hour apiece, said Select Board Vice Chairman Robert G. Judge. Members also rejected the purchase of a $150,000 dump truck, a $50,000 appropriation to review and revise the zoning bylaw, a $36,000 measure to replace a freezer at Mosier School, a $25,000 replacement of floor tiles at the high school, and the replacement of toilet partitions at the middle and Mosier schools, he said.

The $20,000 appropriation, which would go toward an economic revitalization plan for South Hadley Falls, and the $50,000 zoning bylaw review and revisions might be reconsidered at the fall Town Meeting, said Select Board Chairman John R. Hine.

Those who voiced a lack of support for the revitalization plan appropriation felt there were not enough specifics about how the $20,000 would be spent, which is something the Select Board hopes to address should the measure reappear on the fall meeting's warrant, Hine said.

"Capital items that weren't approved were not because they are not good items, but because of a shortage of money," said Judge. "We believe that next year's budget (FY12)will be even tighter than this year. We can't spend all of our savings this year. Everyone knows that, and that's the concern."

Much of the voting on spending-related articles followed the financially conservative recommendations made by the appropriations committee, added Hine.

The meeting at Town Hall ran from 9:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., but despite its unusually long duration, quorum was kept throughout and the debate remained civil and polite, which has not always been the case, Judge said.

Call for youth activities board
In response to the much publicized bullying that allegedly led to a high school student's suicide, voters easily approved the formation of a commission to organize activities for the community's youth.

The Select Board will appoint between three and 21 members to the commission in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 8E, but it will also seek input from residents and from other communities with similar commissions on how to best structure the board, Hine said.

"Some people feel there are not enough activities for the youth outside of schools, and I can understand that. I believe a youth commission can be a part of solving problem" said Judge, who is also the Select Board representative to the town's anti-bullying task force, prior to Saturday's meeting.

The creation of five other boards and commissions also passed, while a motion to move Town Meeting from Saturday to two weeknights and two zoning bylaw amendments were defeated.

Also, resident and Family Cuts hair salon owner Mary Sudyka won the annual Lions Club Citizen of the Year Award for her volunteer efforts in collecting donations and running fundraisers for various causes.

South Hadley to vote on establishing a Youth Commission

Youth concerns up for vote in South Hadley

by Daily Hampshire Gazette

SOUTH HADLEY - In response to bullying that allegedly led to a high school student's suicide, one of the 55 articles at Saturday's annual Town Meeting will ask voters to approve the formation of a commission to organize activities for the community's youth.

"Some people feel there are not enough activities for the youth outside of schools, and I can understand that. I believe a youth commission can be a part of solving the problem," said Select Board Vice Chairman Robert G. Judge, who is also the board's representative to the town's anti-bullying task force. "We probably should have done this year a year ago."

He said he has heard only support for the initiative, and, if it is approved, the Select Board would later appoint three to 21 members to the commission in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 8E.

"Many people in South Hadley want to take action on this now," Judge said.

Budget issues, planning board proposals, the creation of five new boards and commissions - not including the youth commission - and possible changes to the structure of South Hadley's Town Meeting will also be on the warrant for Saturday's meeting, slated for 9:15 a.m. in the Town Hall auditorium.

Most of the warrant articles are relatively standard and have seen little debate in the days leading up to Town Meeting, with the exception of a $20,000 appropriation that would go toward an economic revitalization plan for South Hadley Falls, Judge said.

Next year's $39.2 million budget, about half of which is for the schools budget, will also be up for vote.
"Departments are coming in with no (budget) increases, tiny increases or decreases, so I don't think there will be much opposition on the budget," said Judge.

But he added that many residents are weary of spending, given budget pressures that most municipalities are facing along with expectations of future cuts to local aid.