Community Voices
As an independent, nonpartisan news outlet dedicated to diverse community voices, The New Bedford Light welcomes guest essays. Opinions expressed in our Community Voices essays are those of the individual writers
In addition to our longer Community Voices essay series, we welcome short comments related to our news coverage and all aspects of life in New Bedford. Use our online comment form; send your thoughts via email to voices@newbedfordlight.org; or share them on our Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Commentary: Offshore wind foes push false info about whale deaths
Citing so-called “research,” often provided by fossil fuel-funded think tanks, opponents of offshore wind up and down the East Coast are pushing the false narrative that the industry is killing endangered whales.
Commentary: ‘Embrace giving and offer what you can’
“As the season of gratitude approaches, I am reminded of my family’s experience and the power of community. I am forever grateful for the generosity and support of family, friends, neighbors, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that helped us through a traumatic time.” — SouthCoast Community Foundation CEO Dr. Melanie Edwards-Tavares
Comments to The Light: Star Store issues remain top of mind
Readers reacted to an arts column on Pamela Hoss, as well as offshore wind and its possible impact on right whales’ food source.
UMD arts alum to chancellor: ‘Oh, the damage you have done’
Former student: “Your administration has gravely injured the CVPA program and has demonstrated itself to be nothing but a bad-faith actor when it comes to fulfilling all that was promised to its students.”
Opinion: Amid mass shootings, we must care for children’s mental health
We need to be alert to the signs of depression, insecurity, increased suicide, and anxiety, and we need to advocate for increased mental health counseling in our schools and communities.
Opinion: Time to reform the state’s outdated local aid formula
When state funding does not keep pace with inflation and the rising costs of those services, communities like New Bedford are faced with either cutting services or, even worse, relying too heavily on local property taxes …
Open letter: Chancellor Fuller explains why UMD closed Star Store campus
“When the Senate unexpectedly blocked the appropriation in the budget this summer, we were out of options. We could not pay the full cost of the lease, had no insurance, and were at risk of being locked out of the building at any moment.”
Opinion: We must work together to fight opioid crisis
“It is important that we put our words into action, and we need to make sure our actions are based on a thoughtful community strategy that addresses the multiple aspects of the problem at hand.” — Carl Alves, PAACA
In response: UMass executives throw ‘unequivocal support’ behind Chancellor Fuller
“Without the necessary state appropriation, the university estimated it would need to impose an additional 4.5% increase in tuition on all 4,500 undergraduate students just to keep 150 students in the Star Store, something the chancellor was simply unwilling to do.” — UMass president and board chair
Comments to The Light: The Z, Blue Harvest and Star Store strike a nerve
Reader on Blue Harvest bankruptcy: “This should be a crime. Why is this allowed to happen to honest hardworking people? It’s deplorable.”
Opinion: Campaign for The Z lifts us all
“This is our shared chance to contribute to our common cultural heritage, to lift our economy, to enrich the education of our children, and to bring more of us together to build a healthier, happier community.” — Z CEO Rosemary Gill and CEO Board Chair Frank Almeida
Opinion: Massachusetts needs a leader to take action on Star Store ‘debacle’
“We seem to lack a leader at the state house like Gov. Paul Cellucci, or Gov. Michael Dukakis, who understood” economic development goals and priorities.”
Opinion: Jones Act is a hindrance to the deployment of offshore wind
Today, the shipping and shipbuilding industries are no more deserving of special treatment than other American manufacturers competing in the global marketplace.
Essay: A student’s ‘first steps as an artist’ at Star Store
Paulina Fuenzalida-Guzmán: “Even today, passing Union Street and catching a glimpse of my studio window, I feel an overwhelming longing to return to that building, one that genuinely makes me feel at home.”
Comments to The Light: UMass Dartmouth departure unfortunate, sad, disheartening
One reader: “The UMass Star Store campus was a big component to revitalizing downtown NB when it was opened. I’d like to know more about why this happened.”
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If you have a short comment, a first-person essay, a poem or a topical opinion piece, an image, a short video — or some other form of creative expression — you’d like to share, please submit it here or email us at VOICES@newbedfordlight.org. We want to hear from you. Comments must be civil and will be edited for clarity and length.
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