To The Editor:

            As pediatric healthcare providers, we are privileged to care for families through every stage of childhood – and one of the most essential parts of our work is ensuring that children receive their vaccines on time, every time.

            National Infant Immunization Week, observed this year from April 21–28, is a reminder of how far we’ve come in the fight against once-devastating diseases, and how much is at stake if we let our guard down. The modern immunization schedule is one of the most effective tools in medicine, developed through rigorous science to protect children when they are most vulnerable.

            Here in Massachusetts, we are incredibly fortunate. Our state provides all recommended childhood vaccines free of charge to pediatric practices. That means families aren’t burdened by cost at the point of care, and healthcare providers like us aren’t forced to choose between protecting children and bearing enormous up-front costs to stock vaccines. It’s a model other states would do well to follow – and one that reflects our state’s commitment to public health.

            But even with access, we face a growing challenge: misinformation and vaccine refusal. In recent months, we’ve seen alarming outbreaks of preventable diseases, like the measles outbreak centered in Texas, directly linked to declining vaccination rates. These are not just headlines – they are real children in real hospitals, suffering from diseases we know how to prevent.

            Let’s be clear: measles, whooping cough, polio – these are not diseases of the past. They are waiting in the wings, ready to return whenever immunity slips below a critical level. And when parents choose to skip or delay vaccines, it doesn’t just affect their own child, it puts newborns, medically vulnerable children and adults, and whole communities at risk.

            To protect the health of all citizens, states must reconsider allowing non-medical exemptions to school and daycare vaccine requirements, exemptions that include religious or philosophical objections. These exemptions, often based on misinformation rather than evidence or doctrine, weaken community immunity and increase the risk of outbreaks. Vaccination policy should be guided by science and public health, not personal belief.

            We understand that parents want to make the best decisions for their children. That’s why we’re always here to listen, answer questions, and provide evidence-based guidance. But delaying or refusing vaccines doesn’t just increase a child’s risk – it erodes the community protection that keeps all of us safe.

            This National Infant Immunization Week, we urge families to stay on schedule. Vaccines are safe, effective, and free. When we vaccinate every child on time, every time, we are investing in a healthier, safer future – not just for our own families, but for our entire community.

Steve Mendes, MD

Jason Reynolds, MD

Jennifer Russell, MD

Michelle Anderson, PNP

Elizabeth Coughlin, FNP

Amanda Conley, PNP

Kaitlyn Gibson, PNP

Kelly Flaherty, PNP

Catelyn Rueger, DO

Meghan Swinehart, MD

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence. All letters must be typed and submitted directly to: news@wanderer.com.

Dear Editor:

            Earlier this year, I filed a complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) regarding the actions of my fellow Town of Marion Planning Board Members. My complaint relates to numerous occasions during the past several years when the male members had engaged in bullying behavior toward me during board meetings. The aggressive and abusive behavior consisted of shouting at me, interrupting me, ignoring me, and cutting me off, and ignoring my raised hand, all with the intent of silencing me. This misogynistic behavior was also directed at my female colleague on the board.

            My complaint against my fellow Board Members was submitted to the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD). It has been dismissed under “804 CMR 1.08 (1)(c) (2020)” for the reason that the Commission lacks jurisdiction over the parties or the subject matter of the complaint. I am aware that I retain the statutory right to file a lawsuit in Superior Court based on essentially the same claim.

            The leader of the Board (i.e., Chairperson) should possess both competency and humanity in their dealings with fellow Board Members and with the public, particularly in a town known for its beauty and history like Marion.

            There should be no difference in the treatment of Board Members based on gender. My only “offense” has been my attempt to provide competent and effective views in performing my job as a Board Member. I believe the abusive behavior I have experienced is directly linked to my gender, competency, and age.

            I am an 80-year-old woman. I graduated as a Government major from Smith College. I have taken thirty (30) Citizen Planning Training Collaborative courses and understand how town government and a planning board can work effectively for the benefit of all town residents.

            The abusive behavior has been stressful, demoralizing, and destructive both to me personally and to fellow Board Members. The abusive behavior of the Chair has consisted of talking over me, shouting at me, interrupting me, cutting me off, and ignoring my raised hand, effectively silencing me.

            A Boston attorney, Regina Ryan, was hired by the Town of Marion to deal with the public relations resulting from my complaints against fellow Board Members. Instead of rendering an objective criticism of the male members’ conduct toward me, she characterized their actions as a “robust exchange of ideas.”

            When a Town Administration engages a public relations attorney to produce a comprehensive report mitigating the perception of harassment and bullying perpetrated by male Board Members, it raises significant concerns regarding the efficacy of managerial practices within local government. Such an approach to addressing issues suggests a tendency to suppress rather than resolve underlying problems. Although her public relations report did, to some extent, momentarily mitigate the conduct of the male Board Members, it did not permanently eliminate the tendency of male Board Members to engage in misogyny, bullying, and ageism.

            I believe that the Superior Court would likely reach a conclusion with the same rationale that was provided by the MCAD in regard to my claim. Consequently, I have decided not to pursue this claim further, and I rest on the fact that I navigated this process with integrity and honor.

            Sincerely,

Eileen J. Marum, MPP, MPW, AB

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence. All letters must be typed and submitted directly to: news@wanderer.com.