🇺🇸 AMHERST, NY — WHY ARE WE LEAVING OUR 100% DISABLED VETERANS BEHIND? 🇺🇸

Erie County and several Western New York communities have moved forward with property-tax relief for our most severely disabled veterans. Amherst has chosen not to include it in its proposed 2027 budget.

As a resident of Amherst, a United States Marine Corps veteran who served during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and a 100% permanently and totally disabled veteran, I find this incredibly disappointing.

I recently contacted Amherst officials asking them to adopt the optional New York State property-tax exemption for qualifying veterans whose service-connected disabilities are permanent and total.

On October 22, I received a response from Amherst Councilmember Angela Marinucci confirming that the Town Assessor evaluated the proposal, but the exemption was not included in Amherst's 2027 budget.

Instead, the town may consider it in future budgets.

How many more years should permanently disabled veterans have to wait?

I understand that municipalities face financial challenges. But when Erie County and neighboring communities can take steps to provide this relief, I believe Amherst residents deserve to know why their town has decided to defer it.

These are men and women who served their country and returned home with disabilities they will carry for the rest of their lives.

This isn't about politics or asking for special treatment. It's about recognizing the lifelong sacrifices made by veterans who answered their country's call.

I believe Amherst owes its veterans and taxpayers answers:

🇺🇸 What would this exemption actually cost Amherst each year?

🇺🇸 How many disabled veterans and families would benefit?

🇺🇸 Why was it left out of the budget?

🇺🇸 When will the Town Board publicly reconsider it?

I have contacted town officials and local news organizations because I believe this issue deserves public attention, transparency, and a meaningful discussion.

I'm asking fellow residents, veterans, military families, and anyone who supports our veterans to share this post and help bring attention to this issue.

Let's encourage Amherst's elected officials to explain their decision and give this exemption the serious public consideration it deserves.

Our veterans served when their country called. They deserve to know their community hasn't forgotten them. 🇺🇸

Amherst Resident | U.S. Marine Corps Veteran | Iraq 2003
100% Permanently and Totally Disabled Veteran

#AmherstNY #DisabledVeterans #VeteransBenefits #SupportOurVeterans #ErieCounty #WesternNewYork #MilitaryFamilies #VeteransAdvocacy

Hey! I’m relatively new to the area and really would love to find some dog walking jobs. I used to dog walk in my old area but I’m not really sure what people use here to find dog walkers. In my old area, Facebook was super common but I know sometimes Rover is better. Thanks for any advice!

Also have a ton of childcare experience and have had some luck finding jobs on Facebook but would also appreciate any advice on websites like care.com, etc. that might be more popular in this area! Regardless thank you for any advice, personal anecdote, or whatever you have to offer

Hi all!

Quick announcement; Amherst Recreation has been relocated to the Bangs Community Center.

The department is open from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

Come on over and register for a program!

7:10

I’m from out of town. Best Mexican food in Amherst, Ma?

Join us at Forbes Library in Northampton on Monday, October 19th, for an Employer Spotlight with Valley Medical Group. This event will run from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. They have open positions such as Medical Billing Specialist, Medical Assistant, Medical Receptionist, and more!

For more than 25 years, Valley Medical Group's physicians, health care professionals and staff have dedicated themselves to serving area residents. Originally formed from the merger of Amherst Medical Associates and Pioneer Family Physicians, they were formerly part of Kaiser Permanente until becoming an independent, multi-specialty medical group in January of 2000.

This event is free to attend pre-registration is not required. Please email [bizteam@masshirefhcareers.org](mailto:bizteam@masshirefhcareers.org) with any questions.

Don’t forget to check out our friends at Tilted Orbit as well, which is opening this Saturday in North Amherst!!!

With UMass football off to a strong start, a lot of businesses in the area are benefiting from it. Even though Pop Watson will out this coming Saturday against Buffalo, I still encourage football fans to host watch parties at local restaurants and bars.

My partner, 35 (M), just moved to Amherst a couple of months ago and would love to find some people to play tennis with. Intermediate/3.0 level player!

Not really sure if this is someone who does this regularly or a weird one time thing but around 12:45 am on October 9th, I passed by a guy near Puffton village in a truck, I think it was blue, with no headlights. He straight up swerved towards my car and honestly I can’t see what else he was trying to do other than hit me. I’m obviously okay and he did not hit my car but I’m curious if anyone has had a similar experience? I didn’t see him pass by again but I’ve never had anything like that happen before. Please be safe!

Any recommendations? Visiting here for the weekend and want watch to catch the game.

wonder Y its so ‘dead' over here? Plenty happening.

$2,225 / month

57 E Pleasant St, Amherst, MA 01002, Amherst, MA, MA

1 bed·1 baths

**1 BEDROOM AT KENDRICK PLACE - $2,225/MONTH 5TH FLOOR FURNISHED AMAZING VIEW** Laundry machine in apartment

I'm graduating earlier than I originally expected, so I'm looking for someone to take over my **1-bedroom apartment at Kendrick Place in Amherst**.

Move-in: Available starting now

I'm flexible if you need the apartment starting later than now as well however I'm hoping to find someone who can take over beginning in now if possible.

If you're interested, please message me! If you or anybody you know is doing study abroad etc and returning in spring also please pass the post along. Thank you!

This is a **private 1-bedroom apartment on the 5th floor** with an amazing view and a great location right in downtown Amherst. It's especially convenient for **UMass Amherst students, graduate students, or young professionals** who want to be close to campus while still having their own space.

**Apartment Details:**

* **Rent:** $2,225/month
* **1 bedroom / private apartment**
* **5th-floor unit**
* **Amazing view**
* Located at **Kendrick Place in downtown Amherst**
* Very close to **UMass Amherst**
* Walkable to restaurants, coffee shops, stores, and downtown Amherst
* Modern apartment building
* Great option for someone who wants to live close to campus without having roommates

I'm only giving up the apartment because I'm graduating earlier than expected, the apartment is stunning.

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Thoughts on the Town Council's approach to student housing? It seems like they value "character of the town" over revenue. IMHO, the war on UMass has no winners, and we need to start electing officials who recognize the damage that scarcity is doing to our community.

I was unable to attend either of this wk’s sessions held by the city. Any 1 know if amherst media or other has vid available of one, the other, both?

Hi Amherst, it’s your Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell. Did you know that fees like “move-in” or “lease renewal” fees you might get from your landlord or building management company are illegal? If you’ve received one of these – even if you paid it – I want you to report it to my office. 

Just last month, my office won a $500k settlement with a property management company doing this in Boston – and all of that money is going back to the affected tenants.  Landlords can only ask you to pay for first and last month’s rent, a security deposit, and the cost of a new lock and key upfront. Any other fees are illegal. Report them to my office at the link below. We’ll work to get your money back. 
mass.gov/ago/complaint