Chris Bowen: Fear and loathing Published: 4/14/2021 2:40:35 PM It was 25 years ago when my wife Darlene and I learned that our town would vote on whether or not to allocate $70,000 to help build the Southampton section of the Manhan Rail Trail. A similar article sailed through an Easthampton Town Meeting 75-4. Knowing our town had difficulties with the Hampshire Regional School District funding, I was immediately alarmed. My good wife Dar agreed. At the town meetings, attendees twice defeated the motion to appropriate this modest investment. The Manhan Rail Trail Committee of that era responded with a no allocation motion. The $70,000 would be raised by private donations. This third motion passed with a simple majority.