Some random observations this week:

For the life of me I can’t understand why anyone would be in an uproar over the proposed Adam & Eve “sex positive” shop setting up in East Longmeadow.

 If you want to get upset about something here is a number of things which I think are far more important: relations with North Korea; tax reform; health insurance reform; gridlock in Congress; and whether or not Christmas music should be played before Thanksgiving.

A place that sells sexy lingerie, among other adult items? That warrants concern? Have you been on the Internet lately? Have your teens?

If what they sell is legal – and it is – and how they do it is discrete – and I’m sure it will be – then how does it affect you? This is an exercise of the freedom of speech.

I think an argument could be made the sale of alcohol has a more negative effect on society and public safety than the sale of “marital aids.”
 I’m sure the Adam & Eve target demographic is the more upper end of the middle class and that is a definition for East Longmeadow.  

I love the idea the shop should be placed in the north end of town near the Springfield line because of course the closer you get to Springfield, the more East Longmeadow becomes Springfield. And – shudder – we wouldn’t want that, would we?    

Come on, admit it: if they do open in East Longmeadow, you’re going to be just a bit more than curious, aren’t you? Don’t worry, I won’t out you.

Most schools are in the same boat

The speakers at the School Committee meeting in Chicopee last week spelled out a number of concerns that went beyond the issue of contract negotiations with the teachers’ union.

Speaker after speaker, including many students, told the committee of conditions in the schools and how teachers react to them.

Students from the Bellamy Middle School brought a 20 year-old science text and a 16 year-old social studies book to show how outdated these resources are, as well as their poor condition.

Teachers spoke of the money they’ve invested into their classrooms, from buying paper when the school budget was depleted to even building a website for students to use.

The Chicopee situation is not unique. I think it is fair to say that around the Commonwealth school systems have daily challenges that center on how the teachers and administrations can live up to the mandates of the Commonwealth, the expectations of the parents and their own professional standards and expectations.

The problem is of course that educational demands are outstripping the Commonwealth’s and school districts’ ability to pay for them.

What is the solution? It’s obvious but difficult – costs that can be contained have to be contained. Are their efficiencies that can be implemented? Should the state allocate more of its budget to education? Should the promises to fund bussing or to make sure districts get reimbursed for charter schools actually are fulfilled?

You need a police escort to deliver a letter?

I was a little taken aback when covering a protest at the State Office Building on Dwight Street that law enforcement officials would only allow three members of a coalition urging Gov. Charlie Baker to sign an executive order concerning environmental issues  entrance into the building to hand deliver the letter to Mike Knapik, the governor’s representative for Western Massachusetts.     

What was also troubling was that three middle-age activists had to be escorted by two Springfield police officers. Were they seen as some sort of threat?

Who ordered the security? Is this the new normal doing business with the state in these offices? I’ll try and find out the answers.