Local voices chime in on a variety of topics.
Facts matter. Words Matter. Truth matters. Keep this in mind in November. Remember, Republicans would have you believe our Democratic U.S. representatives are ruining our country and region. Grants like the $44 million dollar Millyard biofabrication one with its projected 47,000 indirect and direct jobs is their proof.
This academic year marks the first time since COVID-19 shut down the world in March of 2020 that educators have experienced anything that resembles normalcy in our schools. There are no mask requirements, unless a person has recently contracted the virus; there is no social distancing; there is no remote learning—synchronous or asynchronous—no spraying down student desks between classes, and no COVID-19 PowerPoint presentations from the school nurse.
I’m lying to my child. There, I said it. And it’s about something important. I don’t feel guilty about it either. Maybe I should explain.
In Hillsborough 20, a district where a mere handful of votes could be the difference between electing a progressive candidate or not, it’s crucial we all turn out to vote. Because of this, I wanted to take a minute to talk about two politicians who need our support.
Put Manchester’s Pam Eliason in the pantheon of American free-spirits who have set out to find meaning, meals and a clean bathroom while on the fly across our Passaic and prairies, Walla Walla and Wally World, Roswell and Rosebud. Jack Kerouac crawled. John Steinbeck glamped. Cheryl Strayed and Bill Bryson hiked. Robert Pirsig Zen-Motorcycled it.
Recently, I did another check presentation at my home, as I always promised that 100 percent of my book sales would go to charities that would benefit children without parents in some way. I always showcase this on Manchester Ink Link to show you that I am true to my word.Â
So I picked up the envelope and carried it inside, laying it on the kitchen table while trying to figure out how I was going to afford a lawyer. I tore open the top of the envelope and quickly gleaned that there weren’t divorce papers inside, rather a vinyl album.
My point is that when people run for local office, it is generally to serve their community. Of course, you do have people who have ulterior motives or who want power, but we should not judge the lot based on a few. Elections are too important.Â
This is due to the fact that Heathcliff and I both struggle with anxiety disorders[2] that can make socializing strenuous and sometimes manifests in panic attacks—sometimes at a table with comfortable and gregarious friends.
I suppose there’s no graceful way of phrasing this—especially to music aficionados, many of whom I’ve interviewed and written about and will likely never take me seriously again. So I’ll just say it bluntly with my shoulders back and my chin up. I love Billy Squier’s music.