Category: Greatness

The first four profiles I wrote in this series focused on community leaders who, as far as I can tell, are pretty well-respected. For the next four, I’m going to be bold and bestow compliments on people who tend to get a lot of flac but who I still think are assets to the community. Nobody fits that bill better than Larry Kelley.

Larry writes the blog Only in the Republic of Amherst, where he diligently follows goings-on around town and provides commentary on them. I would be surprised if at some point he has not clashed with all of the subjects I’ve previously profiled in this series. He is a self-described conservative in a staunchly liberal community, but is also a prime example of how national politics sometimes map poorly onto local politics. In terms of Town Meeting votes, I tend to agree with him a majority of the time! He wants Amherst to be run more efficiently and responsibly, and if you recognize his hot-button issues (flags & patriotism, Cherry Hill Golf Course, high-salaried administrators in schools, UMass responsibility) and look through his sometimes belligerent tone of disgust at poor behavior around town, it is clear that he cares about this place a lot, as I do.

But what I like most about Larry is not simply his passion, or the fact that he too is an Amherst native, but the fact that he is masterful at rocking the boat. I think one of Amherst’s biggest challenges right now is the difficulty of adapting to our changing environment given the traditionalism & caution of Town Meeting, and Larry delights in shaking things up, which is an important thing to do in a calcified system. Absolutely he offends people. Absolutely I don’t agree with him all the time. But that’s okay, in my mind, because he serves an important role in the local discourse.

Did I mention that Larry is a proud father of two young girls? He owned Amherst Athletic Club in Pomeroy Village (Larry himself has an impressive history as a martial artist). And talking to him in person, I have found him to be quiet, kind, and respectful.

I think Larry is great, and thoroughly interesting. I read his blog diligently, and you should too, even if it makes you angry. He has a lot of good information, and is worth paying attention to.

In my job as Executive Director of the Amherst Business Improvement District, I have had the pleasure to work with a number of exceptional individuals. I thought I would take a few blog posts and shower some of them with compliments. Stephanie O’Keeffe is in her fifth year serving on Amherst’s Select Board, of which she is currently chair.

Just like Dave Ziomek and myself (and even Town Manager John Musante), Stephanie grew up in the Valley, and has a father who’s been very involved in local affairs (John Coull, former Chamber of Commerce director & bicycle shop owner). She has made her mark improving Amherst government’s executive branch (Select Board). Attending those meetings, which she runs, it is a marvel to see her finagle agendas like a jigsaw puzzle to impose efficiency on an otherwise bureaucratic process. And it’s not just behind the scenes that Stephanie excels. She embodies accessibility of public officials by holding weekly “office hours” in the Black Sheep Deli. She listens patiently to those of us with bones to pick, and clearly and articulately points us in the right direction to effect the changes we’re looking for. Her responsibility, her rationality & pragmatism, and her ability to stand tall amid the slings and arrows that target her position, these things make her great. Plus, she’s just started a weekly hula-hoop jam in a park downtown. Anyone in a position of power who injects fun & play into adulthood makes me really, really happy.

In my job as Executive Director of the Amherst Business Improvement District, I have had the pleasure to work with a number of exceptional individuals. I thought I would take a few blog posts and shower some of them with compliments. In December, Dave Ziomek was promoted from Director of Conservation & Development for the Town of Amherst to the title of Assistant Town Manager. The honor and responsibility are well-deserved.

Dave has worked for the Town since 2004. Like me, he’s pursued a public career in Amherst in an environment where our fathers started with wider name recognition (mine, Nick Grabbe, long-time Gazette reporter; his, Stan Ziomek, founder of Amherst youth baseball and long-time DPW superintendent). But it’s not being an Amherst native that makes Dave wonderful. It’s is hard-working clearness of mind, his soft-spoken kindness, his sharpness and thoughtfulness. In meetings, he always says smart things, and makes those of us who say less smart things still feel good about ourselves. He is an excellent public servant, and I hope Amherst is blessed with his presence for years to come.

In my job as Executive Director of the Amherst Business Improvement District, I have had the pleasure to work with a number of exceptional individuals. I thought I would take a few blog posts and shower some of them with compliments. For five years now Amherst has been blessed with a Chamber of Commerce director with vision, diligence, humility, and humor. I have been honored to work with Tony Maroulis for the past year.

Tony came to Amherst from New York City in 2002, and came to economic development from the museum industry. In addition to running the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, Tony is co-director of the Hampshire County Regional Tourism Council. He is so personable, extroverted, and well-connected that sitting outside Amherst Coffee with him, at least a dozen people will say hello to him over the course of your conversation. I’ve looked up to him as a mentor during my time at the BID, and I couldn’t have asked for anyone better.

In my job as Executive Director of the Amherst Business Improvement District, I have had the pleasure to work with a number of exceptional individuals. I thought I would take a few blog posts and shower some of them with compliments. The obvious choice to lead off this series is the president of the BID’s board, Barry Roberts.

Barry is an Amherst native, and now owns more property downtown than any other private property owner. He has two passions that I’ve observed: draft horses and making downtown Amherst the best it can be. He is one of the best landlords in town, due to his quick response to maintenance requests and his strong community spirit. He also provides one of the most sought-after kids’ activities for events, his horse-drawn carriage rides such as pictured here at the 2012 Celebrate Amherst Block Party. In general, his demeanor is to-the-point, authentic New England, and quick to laugh. He is an asset to this community and it has been a pleasure to work for him.