Letters to the editor

Honoring first responders

Since January 2007 there have been various resolutions in the House of Representatives to honor our First Responders. Currently the latest version, H.CON.RES 37, awaits the House’s final passage to enact Oct. 28 for this honor. Our U.S. Senate has already passed S.CON.RES 15, which is their version.

I suggest also honoring them on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day. This date has some historic relation to the early development of both services. In the 1800s, the Irish joined both police and fire in large numbers and infused both with pride and professionalism to serve all in need.

We can show our appreciation for their dedicated service with our applause when they are marching by in full uniform in all the various St. Patrick’s Day parades or other events throughout this great country of ours.

This honor is for all active, retired and deceased and is long overdue.

— Bob Sweeney, Warwick, R.I.

Pot shop placement

Joyce Ferriabough Bolling laments the downside of pot shops in her neighborhood (“For Drug Burdened Areas, Pot Shops Not a Blessing”). I do recall her impassioned pleas for “neighborhoods of color” to be first in line for being able to open these businesses. Now that she has them, she wants someone else to be accountable for the potential impacts.

— Brian Miller, Sudbury

Lessons from the past

Those who are tempted to vote for Sen. Bernie Sanders should look up  the results of the race of another far left Democrat and another disliked Republican president. That candidate was Sen. George McGovern.

Sen. McGovern won only Massachusetts (natch) and the District of Columbia.

— Eugene R. Gobby, Somerville

Ending NDAs

As I read both Jessica Heslam’s commentary and the news story below it ( Boston Herald, Jan. 28), I believe the push to end the use of nondisclosure agreements, often over allegations of sexual advances or workplace harassment, is a positive one. Kudos to former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson for her courage to stand up and support a bill before the Massachusetts Legislature to end secret deals that keep victims quiet using tax-dollars and hide alleged perpetrators.

I praise both Sen. Diana DiZoglio, D-Methuen, and Rep. Alyson Sullivan, R-Abington, for their piece of legislation. This is not a Democratic or Republican issue, it is a justice issue.

I am puzzled by Gov. Baker’s and Speaker DeLeo’s stance on this bill up on Beacon Hill. Are these agreements really ever done for the best interests of the victims? I disagree with both the governor and the speaker. As DiZoglio stated, it is going to take the people calling on their legislators, Gov. Baker and Speaker DeLeo.

The Judiciary Committee has until Feb. 5 to bring this bill up for a vote or it dies in committee. Call Beacon Hill today, let your voice be heard.

— Sal Giarratani, Roslindale

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2GKxez7