Amherst Democratic Town Committee (ADTC) members and friends, the Amherst Democratic Town Committee continues to meet this spring on the third Thursdays of each month.  Our next meeting is on April 16 (Thursday), 7 p.m. and will be held in the public meeting room of the Amherst police station. Please forward this email or otherwise help spread the word.

An item for discussion on the 16th, and a request for volunteers:

I've been approached by Carol Rothery, President of the Amherst League of Women Voters, concerning the Amherst July 4th parade(s).  The League is working on creating a July 4th parade in Amherst that is more receptive to free speech (including political speech) than the organizers of past July 4th parades have been.

Read more about this...

League of Women Voters explores hosting own July 4th parade

By Scott Merzbach
Staff Writer

April 03, 2009 — A second parade on July 4th that would welcome a broader array of ideas from its participants, including dissent and many forms of protest, remains a possibility, though no firm decisions have yet been made on whether it will actually take place.

Representatives from the League of Women Voters have been meeting with town officials and investigating the possibility of scheduling this parade to supplement the one that has been organized by the Fourth of July Committee since 2002.

Carol Rothery, president of the league, said Friday that she has spent the last two months getting information about the cost of insurance and police details and how the parade could be scheduled in conjunction with the existing parade, which starts at 3 p.m. each year.

According to the League's March newsletter, the board voted in February to explore the "possibility of sponsoring, with the cooperation of other civic groups, a festive 4th of July parade this summer. The event would be open to individuals of all ages and interests, groups, organizations, businesses or service agencies that wish to participate."

Carol is looking for possible volunteers to help with the parade.  If that is something you're interested in (or if you have any questions for Carol), please contact her directly at 253-3125 or crothery (at) crocker.com

Also, Carol has asked me if the ADTC is interested in participating as a group in the League-sponsored parade.  We will discuss this at our 4/16 meeting.

Save the date:  The ADTC will also meet on May 21 (Thurs.) at 7 p.m. in the police station meeting room.

Leo Maley; Chair, Amherst Democratic Town Committee
413-256-4799