Letters to the Editor

City schools' OSV ban mean-spirited

The Worcester School Committee’s decision to ban WPS class trips to Old Sturbridge Village is shortsighted and mean-spirited. The instigator of the boycott, Tracy Novick, once professed to be more concerned for “marginalized” public-school students than those whose parents worked downtown and wore suits. Yet she denies those very students the opportunity to participate in a hands-on, first-rate educational experience that they probably could not afford absent the school outings.

Ms. Novick wants to punish museum directors for daring to establish a charter school in partnership with Worcester community members, alleging that the school would drain resources from city schools. This claim is false. To help school districts adjust to having fewer students when families transfer their children to charters, Massachusetts reimburses the district in declining amounts after the student leaves. In what other business are you paid for the customers you lose?

The real reason for the boycott is the WPS administration’s hostility (and that of the teachers’ union) to charter schools, dating to their establishment under the 1993 Education Reform Act. The fact is, many charter schools nationwide have closed the achievement gap between white/Asian and “minority” students. Worcester’s heavily minority Abby Kelley Foster Charter School (which offers an International Baccalaureate program) is ranked #3 in the Worcester metro area and #42 statewide, according to US News 2022 high school rankings, compared to Shrewsbury High School, #92 and Doherty Memorial, #191. The OSV-affiliated charter should add to these results!

Roberta Rubel Schaefer, Ph.D.

Rye Brook, N.Y.

Backs N. Brookfield on nixing drag show

On Friday, April 21, 2023, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette headline was "North Brookfield nixes drag show". The sub-headline was "Board reverses initial OK in upcoming Pride event." The opening story sentence was from the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, in essence saying the North Brookfield selectboard made a wrong decision. All of these comments create a negative tone for the reader before they even get to the reported story.

As a former member of the North Brookfield selectboard, I strongly concur with their decision not to have a drag presentation as part of the Pride Day activities. While the ACLU says that "drag is a creative celebration of LGBTQ+culture," for many it is considered "adult" entertainment and not family-oriented as the selectboard rightly believe. The ACLU continues to state that "the government has no right to censor LGBTQ+people and expression." In this they are correct, and its application would be to any organization. However, the government does have the responsibility to consider the well-being of its entire population when making community-relevant decisions and not solely the minority. Based on this, the selectboard exercised prudent judgment in its decision-making process.

James J. Foyle

North Brookfield

In support of Casavant

It is a great honor and privilege to endorse Beth Casavant for reelection for the Select Board. As a former Finance Committee member for 10 years, I have witnessed firsthand Beth’s nonpartisan, independent voice, and advocacy for strategic planning for the town.

She has a proven track record of demonstrating incredibly strong leadership during her tenure on the Board as well as on many other volunteer boards and committees over the years.

Kindly consider voting for Beth Casavant on May 2.

Bretta M. Karp

Shrewsbury

Fryc endorsed in Shrewsbury

I’m endorsing Sandy Fryc for reelection to Shrewsbury’s School Committee. Over the last eight years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with Sandy as a School Committee member. Sandy has been a key contributor to ensuring our school district has the necessary financial resources that are critical to delivering outstanding results. Experience matters in local government and, with 15 years of experience, Sandy’s expertise is invaluable. Shrewsbury Public Schools will continue to thrive with Sandy’s outstanding leadership.

I respectfully ask for your support of Sandy Fryc for the Shrewsbury School Committee.

Jon Wensky

Shrewsbury

Vote for Garcia in Shrewsbury

After its May 2 election, Shrewsbury loses a Selectboard member with 30 years of experience. Carlos Garcia is the best choice to fill this vacancy. Carlos knows Shrewsbury’s government as a member of the Finance Committee and multiterm Town Meeting Member.

Carlos Garcia will continue Shrewsbury’s tradition of civility: He is thoughtful, measured, and listens before he speaks. Carlos’s temperament is perfect for the Selectboard, and he’ll be a stable steward of Shrewsbury’s 2030 Strategic Plan. I ask Shrewsbury’s voters to give one of their two votes for Selectboard to Carlos Garcia on May 2.

Paul DePalo, Governor's Councilor District 7

Worcester

Costello Weber gets resident's vote

It is my pleasure and honor to endorse and encourage you to place a selectboard vote for Siobhan Costello Weber on May 2!

I am a retired Shrewsbury teacher and have lived in Shrewsbury for 70 years. Siobhan Costello Weber is a new face with new ideas! She is a listened, a creative problem-solver with a unique perspective to bridge understanding between all boards and implement solutions for our town’s benefit.

Your vote for Siobhan Costello Weber is a win for Shrewsbury!

Diane Lindberg

Shrewsbury

Casavant deserves reelection

I enthusiastically support Beth Casavant’s candidacy for reelection to the Shrewsbury Selectboard. Beth has consistently served as a thoughtful, caring, forthright and courageous board member, providing positive and effective policy direction during some extremely difficult times. While a board member, she has repeatedly demonstrated her effectiveness and value to the community through her open, inclusive, transparent approach to local government, and her quiet courage to stand up and clearly and calmly speak the truth above a din of mistruths. Shrewsbury’s residents and businesses will be very well-served by her reelection May 2.

John Lebeaux

Shrewsbury

Fryc for School Committee

I am writing to express my strong support for Sandy Fryc for the Shrewsbury School Committee.

I have worked with Sandy on the School Committee for 12 years. There is no harder worker. She understands how to do what is best for the students and what is realistic for the town. She brings not only a strong work ethic but skills in negotiating and communication that make her particularly well suited for this position. She also brings institutional memory that is vital during this election.

Please vote for Sandy Fryc for Shrewsbury School Committee on May 2nd.

B. Dale Magee, MD

Shrewsbury

Speak out against antisemitism

In recent weeks, several Massachusetts newspapers covered the sharp rise of antisemitic assault, harassment and vandalism in Massachusetts and across New England since 2021. This awareness is critical because antisemitism and other types of bigotry thrive when bystanders are silent. We must not be silent! The North Central Mass. chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice urges residents and local leaders to take the recent rise in antisemitism seriously, notice when it occurs and speak out against hate groups, who are increasingly visible, actively organizing, recruiting and sowing racial division here in Massachusetts. Silence and passivity in the face of antisemitism normalizes it, increasing the likelihood of violence, bigotry, and discrimination against Jewish people. We must not allow this.

Antisemitism can show up in overt and covert ways. We can only speak and act against bigotry if we can recognize it. Sometimes, incidents are clearly antisemitic (such as displaying a swastika). Other times there can be confusion about what it is that makes an incident antisemitic. One resource that can serve as a guide to determining what makes an incident antisemitic is the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism, which can be found at jerusalemdeclaration.org. The Anti-Defamation League’s Hate on Display database is a tool for recognizing white supremacist symbols and logos. Together, we can create safety and care in our communities. We can set the stage and the standard for true belonging, equity and justice for all peoples by saying no to antisemitism.

Minna Scholten, North Central Mass. Chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice

Lunenburg

Bridging gap on structural inequity

As the leader of one of the region’s larger nonprofits working with residents in our communities, I am compelled to leverage every tool we have as an organization in the name of putting people first. There should be little doubt that structural inequities exist across every system from affordable housing to health care, and the consequences of perpetuating those inequities are disproportionate and deadly, especially for our lower-income and Black Indigenous People of Color.

There is an opportunity at every level of nonprofit, municipal, state and federal leadership, and private, philanthropic and public funding to proactively bridge gaps that contribute to disparities across our community. We must work together towards a common goal of building with our community if we are to sustain and create equitable opportunities for all. It is not enough to bring people to the table. We must listen, empower and trust too.

We can begin by closing funding gaps that exist between our larger, majority White-led organizations and smaller, often BIPOC-led organizations. We cannot dismiss the palpable frustration voiced by many BIPOC organizations and community members that have been unheard, unseen and un/underfunded but who are trusted messengers in our neighborhoods. Worcester Community Action Council is committed to solutions to lessen these disparities and to use our own resources and capacity to engage and partner with BIPOC leadership and community-centered organizations to put our neighbors’ needs first. We are seeking partners who can help us maximize our efforts toward that same goal.

Marybeth Campbell, Executive Director, Worcester Community Action Council

Worcester

Against car showroom on wooded land

As a longtime resident of Shrewsbury, I'm hoping that the Boch Subaru dealership slated for Route 9 in Shrewsbury does not clear its last hurtle, that of being approved by the Mass. Environmental Protection Act office.

If the Boch organization really had the town's interest in mind, they would adopt a long-term vision by which forested/open space will ultimately be a most valuable future asset for any municipality. Shrewsbury of all places should be getting pretty tired of developers who come to town and deface the natural landscape to make their buck. If Boch really wants a presence in Shrewsbury, there's already denuded parcels where he can set up shop.

A 25-acre wooded parcel is about to come down. Has anyone considered that this is habitat for Shrewsbury's wildlife, which we see less and less of? Earth Day was four days ago. I'm just trying to speak up a little bit for the trees and small animals.

Fran Reagan

Shrewsbury

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