Every year, each of our select boards is required to conduct a tax classification hearing and decide how to allocate the town’s property tax burden. And every year, these hearings […]
Editorials
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
The Research Is Done
Truro’s new town manager, Darrin Tangeman, started work last month, having arrived here from his previous home in Woodland Park, Colo., where he was the city manager. We’re looking forward […]
LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
A Lot of Work to Do
The pages of this newspaper are, as I write this, being assembled from various locations, including an Eastham basement, various Provincetown and Truro bedrooms, and our dining room table in […]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
A Truth Flow Problem
I’ve been thinking about the relationship between local newspapers and town leaders and wondering if what happens in small towns bears any resemblance to what’s been going on (and not […]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Time for Corrections
Mistakes were made, as they say. When newspapers make them (as we did last week, including getting the sponsor of the annual Martin Luther King Day breakfast wrong), we print […]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Staying Curious
Late on a Tuesday night, with the paper close to being finished, I’m doing the final top edit — the last review, to find any gaffes that have gotten by […]
CRITIC’S NOTEBOOK
Playing for Keeps
In the same week that we were gathering the work of local artists for this special Art & Photography issue to kick off 2021, an article in the New York […]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Christmas Yet to Come
With so many holiday traditions curtailed this year, the importance of memory and resilience has grown. And so, as we stay home, put up lights, and decorate the tree (if […]
REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK
It’s Normal to Need Help
When I was a child, my family relied on SNAP at different times, but I was completely oblivious to this fact. We always had good, healthy food available. We purchased […]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Too Big to Be Small
The pandemic has raised questions about certain words and what exactly is meant when they are used. Take “small business.” When I think of small businesses, what comes to mind […]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Monetizing the Dead
Here at the Independent, we are diverse, age-wise. But we have some old-fashioned ideas. We’re serious about proofreading and fact-checking. We think classified ads are fun. We want our website […]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Thanksgiving Song
Everyone must be thinking about the things they will miss this year on Thanksgiving. At our house, it’s a weekend-long gathering of old friends who come here from the city […]
EDITORIAL
A Thick Skin Isn’t Enough
What are the most important attributes to look for in a potential town manager or administrator? Judging from the comments (and reluctance to comment) of recent occupants of those positions […]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Get the Story Right
One thing last week’s election revealed is how fond we are of the stories we want to believe. How else to explain the fact that so many voters believe that […]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Where the Power Lies
One of our correspondents this week, Michael Spielman, was provoked by my last column to unleash his own set of language beefs, which have him screaming at his TV, he […]
