Opinion/Letters: Pak's sudden departure leaves Cape Symphony subscriber feeling misled

It is with great sadness and concern that I am writing this letter about Jung-Ho Pak's sudden departure from the Cape Symphony. Words can hardly express what his presence has meant to us personally and how the Cape Symphony orchestra has grown and developed under his leadership. Therefore, his unexplained leaving is hard to accept for us, who are faithful subscribers and donors.

We received the 2023/2024 program in early April and were urged to renew the full series by April 26, 2023, which we happily committed to at considerable expense.

What did we commit to? It certainly is not the program nor the conductor we invested in, and we feel misled. At the very least we expect a complete explanation of the reasons for Jung-Ho's sad departure.

Rosemarie Merino, Yarmouth Port

Times article about Brewster Historical Society 'misinformed'

We are saddened by the misinformed Times’ article (May 12) about the Brewster Historical Society’s Wing Island Walk. The Brewster Historical Society regrets a mis-posting on social media has caused concern among the Indigenous community. The post was amended to reflect the correct text. Society President Sally Gunning shared with us Mr. Hendricks’s unfamiliarity with Wing Island when he did the tour in 2021 and shared this with the Times as well. As Sally was forced to look elsewhere, we, the board members, witnessed months of frustration about unanswered calls, texts and emails to the Mashpee Wampanoag for assistance in sharing the history of the Sauquatucket in Brewster. Sally was left with no recourse but to rely on her own and Lee Roscoe’s research that would include everyone: Native peoples, English settlers and Americans. The Board of Brewster Historical Society is in total support of this effort.

Sally promotes history and its importance in our lives. She makes all of history interesting, factual, relevant and educational. She is a critically acclaimed author of historical fiction and nonfiction, and as president of the Brewster Historical Society, she develops tours and writes articles and grants vital to the society’s programming and financial survival. She is also a fellow of the Massachusetts Historical Society. As a diligent researcher, she draws other scholars and experts to the area to make the region’s history accessible to all.

Roscoe, whose award-winning book “Wampanoag Art for the Ages: Traditional and Transitional,” was praised by respected tribal leaders, cites any Indigenous sources used, which she combines with 19th-century sources on land use. She is a respected environmentalist, who graciously shared her vast knowledge of the Cape's flora and habitats with us.

The Brewster Historical Society continues to be open to collaboration with the tribe regarding the history of the Sauquatucket in what is now Brewster. We invite the tribe to visit the Cobb House Museum and share thoughts on our Native American exhibits (the text of which we sent to tribal leaders for preview but received no response). We also invite them to visit the Harris-Black House at Windmill Village, where we have documented, working together with the family’s descendants, their Wampanoag heritage. We continue to seek input from the Cape’s Indigenous people.

Patricia Roberts, recording secretary of the Brewster Historical Society Board of Directors

Jim Jordan's visit to Cape Cod 'an insult' to Massachusetts

It is a mystery to me how Jay McMahon of Bourne can think an appearance on Cape Cod by such a divisive individual as U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, will help him become the elected attorney general of Massachusetts. The appearance was located at a Hyannis gun shop with the objective of attracting more local MAGA Republicans interested in McMahon's election run in 2024.

Jordan has a history of proven unwillingness to speak the truth and inappropriate behaviors. He stood by quietly, reportedly, with full knowledge, that young college-age men, who he was coaching, were being sexually abused on Ohio State University's wrestling team. He has proven his disrespect of people who do not agree with him, especially females and people of color as seen in televised congressional hearings. Instead of listening civilly he screams and insults them.

He has stated, himself, he is a Trump election denier and does not think Jan. 6, 2021, was a coup attempt against the U.S. Constitution. He is a denier of privacy when it comes to women and reproductive choices and with trans children in denying them health care. He cares more about the rights of an AK-15 machine gun than children being able to attend school safely without the fear of death.

What does this man have to do with the fine people of the commonwealth? He has the right to come here to our majestic shores but how can Republicans and others think this man can help win an election here with his despicable history? Jordan's visit was an insult to the people of this commonwealth. I hope he enjoyed his chowder.

Susanne Strenz-Thibault, Orleans

Electoral College leaves Massachusetts voters ignored by candidates

Massachusetts should be on the campaign trail in presidential elections. But because of the current electoral college system, we are ignored. Moreover, the candidate with the most votes nationwide should become president.

Massachusetts has already passed the National Popular Vote law. Although some want this repealed, I hope you will support the existing National Popular Vote. The current way we elect the president is broken.

It’s already been passed in a number of states and will take effect when states with a majority of the electoral votes pass it.

Lin Deats, Falmouth

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Letters: Jung-Ho Pak's sudden exit leaves Cape Symphony saddens fans