West Side has left money on the table – can it afford it?

Date: 6/7/2018

I think Mayor Will Reichelt of West Springfield did the right thing. He developed a plan to handle the recreational sale of marijuana in the city.

His efforts have had plenty of pushback, but he has persisted in trying to convince his constituents that marijuana money shouldn’t be left on the table.

Can any community in Western Massachusetts afford not to develop new revenue streams?

Apparently the West Springfield City Council believes it can pass this one by, as the body did not approve the mayor’s proposal.

I’m still not sure why so many people are wary of pot sales, as we have had a history of unlimited sales of alcohol – with the exception of Prohibition – for the entire history of this country and we know what booze is capable of doing to a person.

The argument may be made that we don’t need any more legal drugs, but let’s face it: marijuana is the least of our drug worries.

The simple fact is that by having legal recreational pot, the Commonwealth has added another facet to our tourism portfolio. There will be people from other states who come here to smoke legally.

Now I don’t expect the Commonwealth to add it to our TV commercials, but potential visitors undoubtedly will be aware.

That is why I not only salute Reichelt’s common sense, but I ask why we aren’t looking at cannabis lounges?

Imagine you’re at MGM Springfield and you’re having a good time. Or you’re in town for the Hall of Fame Enshrinement or visiting the Big E and you enjoy an occasional joint. Wouldn’t you go to a cannabis lounge if there was one locally?

The answer is probably yes.

Please instruct me what would be different than going to a bar?

I’m sure the cannabis bars in the Netherlands could easily provide an economic and enforcement model for us here.

Marijuana tourism is a real thing and we have the perfect feeder for it: a nearly $1 billion destination casino that will offer everything except a few adult tourist amenities. To make the package complete we really should consider seeking the licensing for a cannabis lounge.

I know there is an argument against such exploitation of vices, but consider how important our state lottery has become for us, as well as the money raised through tobacco and alcohol taxes. I just don’t think that, at this point in our history, there is much left to that argument.

It all comes down to free will and how you want to live your life. There are plenty of people who don’t drink, don’t smoke and don’t gamble. That is their choice and it’s their right to define their own lives. There are also many people who may indulge in all three activities, but do it in moderation.

What do you think?

Does someone have sheep for rent?

Until the June 1, 2011 tornado I had very little lawn. Old-growth trees that provided much needed shade in the hot summer afternoons dominated my backyard.

They were all destroyed by the storm and now I must confront handling a lawn for the first time in my adult life.

I bought a lawn mower – an old-fashioned push mower with no motor – and sprinklers and a device that spreads fertilizer. The result has been a lot of work and not a lot of satisfaction.

Lawns are a pain in the backside. They need near constant maintenance: cutting, watering, weeding and feeding. Watch out! Some of the chemicals you’re supposed to use on your lawn require you to keep kids and pets off. Have you ever tried to do that with cats?

This is why I’ve spent considerable time recently digging up lawn – a fun task, not – to expand a vegetable garden and to construct a new area for flowers, both of which are easier to maintain that lawn.

It’s my goal to decrease each year the amount of lawn with garden space, either for more vegetables or flowers. Maybe I’ll build a koi pond.

Any of that will give me more than what lawn gives me. I only wish I could have a few chickens to fertilize the lawn and a sheep or two to keep it trimmed. Springfield ordinances, though, frown on such old-fashioned solutions.

My day made

I received the following letter: “I’m a 92 year-old World War II Purple Heart veteran. I read your article in the June 1 The Reminder. Great article – loved it. All your articles are great.

“I don’t own a computer. I’d love to do some tweeting now and then also.

“My tweet would say ‘Thank you to all veterans who fought and gave their lives so we all could be free.’”

This note came from Lawrence H. Batley in South Hadley. Thank you for your service to our nation, sir and thank you for the kind words.