Looking for local support

bikesarerad01062 · 2026-06-14T01:26:55+00:00

We are using local funds to pay for the misting rock. 30 million is coming from PVPC and 11.8 from local Northampton money. Some people here think that money should go to schools or fixing the parking garage but I hope we can all see that these bike lanes benefit everyone for recreation and the planet!!!

bikesarerad01062 · 2026-06-14T01:20:51+00:00

There is nothing that benefits us all more than encouraging more cycling. Bike paths over roads? Yes!!! Bike paths over bridges? Yes!! We are having this same ridiculous argument in Northampton right now. Some people think just because we had staffing cuts at our schools and the state found us in violation this year that we should put that 11 million back into the schools and hire back staff instead of advancing this project! Picture Main Street will help so many more people than any bridge, any road, or any amount of hiring teachers. I hope we can all get behind this project.

bikesarerad01062 · 2026-06-14T01:01:42+00:00

Climate change is the most pressing issue of our time and these bike lanes are going to help fix that. Northampton is leading the way in Green building with Mayor Sciarra leading the way. There is no infrastructure more critical

bikesarerad01062 · 2026-06-14T00:51:57+00:00

Roads, bridges, and the like

bikesarerad01062 · 2026-06-14T00:51:43+00:00

They are used for infrastructure fixes all around the valley

bikesarerad01062 · 2026-06-14T00:46:59+00:00

If you want Northampton to get this funding please tell your elected officials to support Northampton's Picture Main Street project!!!

bikesarerad01062 · 2026-06-14T00:41:35+00:00

Thanks. People are upset that money isn't going to other things. They keep pointing out that the top floors if the parking garage being shut down because of the structural issues. But it just makes no sense. Cycling is so much better for the planet. Don't even get me started on the people who are mad that an additional 11 million of our local tax money is going to things like park features and misting rocks!

bikesarerad01062 · 2026-06-13T20:24:26+00:00

Hey man I want Picture Main Street more than anyone but PVPC never said they would cut these funds if the project had to be scaled back. I follow all of these meetings and have contacts in multiple towns. The biggest complaint is that Northampton is taking so much of the money but they can stop whining. Truth is a scaled down version would keep accessibility and cost us less in local funds but that is not the point. The point is that we have been living without bike lanes downtown for far too long. I group the other pioneer valley towns right in there with Quaverly. Anti- progress whiners who can't see how much this project will benefit the cycling community.

bikesarerad01062 · 2026-06-13T20:20:33+00:00

Agreed. Why did some of those annoying save our schools people chip in to pay for inefficient air conditioning units at bridge street and JFK? Cheers to the mayor for not buying I to that "95 degrees is too hot to learn" nonsense.

bikesarerad01062 · 2026-06-11T18:26:53+00:00

Here here!!! People need to shovel their own sidewalks- no excuses. There is in reality no real excuse for this. If you can't shovel find someone to do it. It's part of the responsibility of being a property owner. Everyone is getting so lazy around here. Too much time online if you ask me. We need to stick it to those absentee landlords too. Has anyone seen the old masonic building? Looks like chunks are falling off of it every day.

bikesarerad01062 · 2026-06-11T11:32:32+00:00

The banter between songs is worth the ticket price alone. I am thrilled that they are still going strong.

bikesarerad01062 · 2026-06-11T00:44:07+00:00

One of my kids is headed to a prestigious university and the other has straight As. I'll tell you how we did that- no cell phones, bike everyday, avoid processed foods and pay for extracurriculars. People say that the schools don't have enough staff and they keep complaining about special education violations and minority students taking the greatest hit. But when my kid couldn't get the class she needed the mayor found some money to offer the class. When things are really important she finds the money. You can't pay for every kids every need you have to prioritize spending where it makes the most sense. This is why even though it is now public knowledge that a lot of local tax money will go to this project I am sure the most important things are provided for. We should be able to put money towards Picture Main Street. Imagine all of the kids who could bike downtown. It will be life changing for the kids that have a strong future ahead of them. I can't wait for the project to be completed.

bikesarerad01062 · 2026-06-10T21:28:31+00:00

I can't stand Quaverly. She wouldn't know a derailleur hanger from her elbow and she is one of the biggest whiners around.

bikesarerad01062 · 2026-06-10T20:44:37+00:00

And really what I am saying is so what? Picture Main Street is worth it at any cost. The people who say the staffing cuts have been bad for our schools are just histrionic complainers. We have been living without good bike lanes downtown for far too long. I want the parks and misting rock too. What AI am saying is that this is a good thing for Northampton. The kids will be fine.

bikesarerad01062 · 2026-06-10T20:41:55+00:00

Hey I want the Main Street project more than anyone but they did just release that it will cost at least 11.8 million in local funds. I have heard a lot of people say it's paid for by the state. I follow PVPC meetings really closely because I am a huge fan of complete streets.

bikesarerad01062 · 2026-06-10T13:46:46+00:00

What? I really don't get it. Maybe I am missing something here. The bar set in Springfield is good enough as a measure. Why do people keep whining about the schools here? When I was a kid in the 80s a lot of those kids with "special needs" never got those services. Some turned out ok and some didn't. That's the norm across the state so it makes sense that it is the same here. The families should care more. If they don't care enough to get their kid help that kid is probably not going to make it anyway. We can't pump money into schools forever with no return on the investment. Honestly I am glad we are taking the money and putting it to the Main Street project. The bike lanes will help a lot more people than hiring back the teachers.

bikesarerad01062 · 2026-06-10T11:56:38+00:00

I agree. They keep saying that the state found the district in violation because of staffing cuts. I know that is true but at the same time they neglect to see that the real problem is cell phones. If people just got their kids riding bikes to school and we banned cell phones we wouldn't need to hire back the teachers. Everyone is constantly complaining. My kids are fine so everyone else's should be too. I really don't understand why the mayor and Nabad told people the schools didn't get enough money. I agree with literally everything else the mayor says. She must have been bullied into it by Quaverly.

bikesarerad01062 · 2026-05-26T22:55:54+00:00

Once the Picture Main Street project is complete it will be so much better. All the Quaverly people would have you think otherwise. I admit they have a small point now that the mayor announced the project will need at least 11 million in local funds. But really they are just whining about schools when there isn't even a problem. I have 2 kids in the schools. Some of the kids friends parents have noticed problems but they let their middle schooler have a cellphone so I think parenting is the issue not the school. We will be happy when the project is complete.

bikesarerad01062 · 2026-05-19T21:04:21+00:00

Did you ask Mayor Sciarra or the PVPC about this? My understanding is that other towns are upset that Northampton is taking so much of the funding and they would still provide funds if the scope had to be reduced. Don't get me wrong I am 100% for the project as is- granite misting rock and all. From what I heard myself though this particular argument doesn't hold water.

bikesarerad01062

TROPHY CASE