Letters to the Editor

Kudos to I-95 bridge repair crew

What an incredible accomplishment is occurring with reopening of six lanes in both directions of Philadelphia’s I-95 bridge only two weeks after its destruction by a gas tanker explosion.

A collaboration of professionals from all disciplines devised a temporary six-lane bridge to be built between, and incorporated into, the eventual permanent bridge.

This plan required designing both the temporary and permanent bridges; manufacturing and procuring all the necessary structural steel beams and numerous other materials; hiring and coordinating several construction contractors and a crew of hardhat workers; obtaining all the necessary permits, government permissions and financing, and on and on!

The people involved with this project certainly had a “can do” attitude. What they did is not only a fantastic feat but also a worthy example for others to follow. Every day we are swamped with plenty of negative head-shaking news. This story should make every American proud and optimistic and demonstrates qualities that can only have a positive effect. Thank you to the I-95 bridge reconstruction team.

Paul Gallo

Barre

What about other valedictorians?

I was surprised to see an article entitled the Valedictorians of Worcester that did not include all the high schools, only the non-charter public schools. There are several other high schools in the city: private, Catholic and charter public schools that should have been highlighted. Don't you think they need notoriety too?

I am a resident of Southborough and a teacher at Northborough St. Bernadette School. When my sons (three) were in high school they, or my wife, trekked into the city each day to attend Holy Name High School (not St. Paul). This was a sacrifice for us but the benefits of attending high school in such a diverse community as Worcester outweighed the travel each day. I could have sent them to Algonquin after leaving Trottier School, but I wanted the faith-based education and a diversity of students.

I challenge you to shine a light on the other valedictorians in all the Worcester schools. I think the city of Worcester should be proud of all those who graduate from any Worcester high school. It was nice to hear the accomplishments of the public school students, but Worcester is more eclectic. Let's hear about all the senior valedictorians, in private, Catholic and charter public schools.

Martin E. Moran

Southborough

Time for fake pregnancy clinics to end

As an abortion fund, the Jane Fund of Central Massachusetts is firmly in favor of bodily autonomy and unfettered access to abortion. As such, we are distressed to read reports that a member of the Worcester community needed emergency medical care after visiting a "crisis pregnancy center." Such fake clinics exist to deter people from having abortions. To do so, they often dress up as legitimate clinics and deploy shame and misinformation to sway people's decisions about pregnancy.

Fake clinics claim to offer "support." And there are huge gaps in support for pregnant people: housing, food, medical care, and basic safety are unattainable privileges for many. But fake clinics don't meaningfully address those issues.

We believe everyone should have nonjudgmental support and factual information – including competent medical care – around all of their pregnancy options, including abortion.

As we've said before, it's time for the era of fake clinics to end. Spread the word: Antis "playing doctor" are a threat to public health.

Liz Goodfellow, co-president, The Jane Fund

Holden

Order targets pro-life pregnancy clinics

The Telegram & Gazette story on the lawsuit filed against Clearway Clinic made reference to an order – sponsored by Councilor-At-Large Thu Nguyen – which was passed by the Worcester City Council on June 19, 2022, (Lawsuit alleges Worcester antiabortion clinic's missed diagnosis threatened woman's life, 6/22/2023).

According to the story by reporter Marco Cartolano, the order instructed the city solicitor to draft an ordinance "regulating" pro-life pregnancy care centers and preventing them, allegedly, "from making false advertisements."

Actually, the Nguyen measure is far more draconian. As the Telegram revealed at the time, the order mandated that pro-life pregnancy centers "must either directly provide or provide referrals for abortions or emergency contraception."

If such an ordinance is ever enacted, it would force the closure of both crisis pregnancy centers in Worcester, as compliance with this provision would be a moral impossibility for pro-life Christians.

Their ultimate closure is the likely intent of Councilor Nguyen, who was endorsed by the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts.

Sincerely,

C.J. Doyle, Executive Director, Catholic Action League of Massachusetts

Boston

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Letters to the Editor