Women May Decide the Presidency
Dear Editor,
On his March 24 CNN program, Farid Zackaria noted that until sixty years ago women of America and elsewhere were second class citizens. The progression to first class citizenship in America centered around passage in 1920 of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution that granted women the right to vote. Not even the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments that granted equal rights to former slaves lifted women from their secondary disenfranchised status. But with this new right to be heard politically, men and women became equal politically and with supposedly equal rights under the law. Progression to gain equality under the law has been slow, but steady. It is not perfect, but improving. However, now there are those who would return women to their secondary status. Nowhere is this clearer than in nascent attempts to remove a woman’s right to control her body. This is not just an issue of abortion rights, it is a declaration that women have second class status under the law, that women’s rights are not equal to the rights of men.
This will not stand! Women make up 51% of the electorate. Many may not understand the loss, but most all feel it. We will reclaim our status by standing together against those who would diminish them. I predict that this overriding issue of women’s rights will dominate our next election, regardless of the popularity, or lack thereof, of the candidates.
And while we’re at it, let’s pass the Equal Rights Amendment that guarantees equality under the law regardless of sex.
Suzanne Swope
On 3A Zoning
Dear Editor,
As a devoted member and Vice Chairperson of the Winthrop School Committee, I write to voice my strong opposition to the proposed mandate of 3A zoning laws by the state. While I recognize the importance of zoning regulations, it is imperative to consider their potential impact on our already strained school system, which is currently operating at maximum capacity and forced year after year to operate under a level services budget.
Winthrop’s schools are facing pressing challenges: an increasing population with more diverse needs and a lack of funding to continue with level services year over year. With our current student population, our classrooms are filled to the brim, and our resources are stretched to their limits. The minimal adjustment to the Chapter 70 Foundation Funding Formula coupled with the continuation of unfunded mandates from the State and Mass Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the end of COVID-19 education grant funding, has put a unimaginable strain on the ability to fund education across the commonwealth but more importantly, small communities such as Winthrop. As a community, we have worked tirelessly to provide a quality education to every child in Winthrop, but the reality is that our schools simply cannot accommodate even a small number of additional students and the cost associated with providing an equitable quality education.
While the 3A zoning laws may not immediately translate to imminent overdevelopment, the underlying threat is undeniable. The prospect of adding significant numbers of new families to our community without the ability to expand our educational infrastructure is wildly unrealistic and deeply concerning. There is no buildable space in Winthrop to construct additional schools to meet increased enrollment and without the space to build, regionalization of our schools at the Middle and High School level will become a necessary reality within a very short timeframe. This type of impact is in direct conflict with the vision and mission of the “Community of Winthrop”.
It is not a matter of being resistant to growth or progress; rather, it is about being realistic about our capacity, and resources. As responsible stewards of education, we must prioritize the well-being, safety and educational needs of our current students. The imposition of additional zoning regulations without adequate consideration for the strain on our schools and the impact of safely navigating a community that is beyond densely populated with only 2 roads to enter and exit the town, is egregious and will jeopardize the quality of education, the safety and the overall well-being of our students and community.
In addition to the financial strain, the growth of our population presents further challenges. While growth can be positive for a community, it must be managed responsibly to ensure that essential services, such as education, can keep pace. Without careful planning and consideration for the impact on our schools, unchecked growth could lead to irreversible damage to the quality of education in Winthrop.
I urge policymakers to take into account the unique circumstances of Winthrop and engage in meaningful dialogue with local stakeholders to develop solutions that balance growth with the preservation of our educational system. It is essential to ensure that any development plans are accompanied by provisions for the necessary expansion of our schools to accommodate the influx of new students.
In conclusion, I respectfully oppose the mandate of 3A zoning laws in Winthrop. Our schools are already operating beyond their capacity, and the threat of overdevelopment looms large. Let us work together to safeguard the integrity of our educational system and ensure that every child in Winthrop receives the quality education they deserve.
Sincerely,
Julie Barry
Winthrop School Committee, Vice Chair