The Poet X

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To the Editor:

            The Poet X is a book that contains a sexually charged poem about masturbation, and it is being taught inside an 8th grade English class at ORR Junior High School. The kids in class are only 13-14. What on earth is going on??

            The same book also contains a passage in which the main character desecrates the Eucharist inside a Catholic church, a grave offense in the Catholic faith. Would ORR ever allow a book that blasphemes the Jewish, Muslim, or Hindu faith? No, it wouldn’t. And rightfully so.

            And now over the objections from parents to a 240-page “graphic novel” with explicit illustrations of sex acts and sex toys, the so-called “Standards Committee” of the ORR School Committee has publicly declared that the library book Gender Queer is both “valuable” and “beneficial” for our students. “Valuable” and “beneficial.” Let that sink in.

            We have about 3,500 years of the human written word to choose from and only a tiny window of time to expose our kids to the greatness that literature has to offer. Instead, the ORR school district is flinging at our students sexually explicit and demeaning books that suggest that there is somehow virtue in a life immersed in sex toys, hookups on dating apps, self-loathing, sexual dysfunction, and rejecting God.

            Let me be clear again: I don’t hate anyone, as defenders of these books like to claim. My message is that Mattapoisett, Marion, and Rochester are wonderful towns, and we are better than this crud being heaped upon our kids. What has evolved in our schools over the past couple of years is heinous.

            And as a teacher myself for over 20 years, I don’t say it lightly when I say that the trust in the staff at ORR which I once held in high esteem has been greatly damaged.

            David F. Pierre, Jr, Mattapoisett

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.

Talking to Children about Racism

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            Some people are more concerned with “being called a racist” rather than acknowledging that they might have biases, according to Dr. Tyrone Black, the Associate Head of School at Tabor Academy.

            This was one of many eye-opening messages delivered Tuesday night by a panel hosted by Tri-Town Against Racism. The conversation at Tabor Academy was the fourth in a series giving strategies to adults and educators on how to teach young people of all ages how to deal with biases against marginalized groups.

            The guest panel featured Black, Kate Excellent, a licensed independent clinical social worker and Dr. Elizabeth O’Shaughnessey, a pediatric neuropsychologist.

            TTAR has worked for three years toward creating a more inclusive environment within Rochester, Marion and Mattapoisett.

            The panel answered a series of questions ranging from how to talk to youngsters about police brutality against people of color to talking to prekindergarten students about a transgender person they might know.

            The panel even touched upon the growing use of the “n” word and how young people hear it within popular music and use it as a term of endearment.

            Black, who is African American and has southern roots, said more youngsters and educators should delve into the history of the word. He said it was meant to marginalize a group of people, especially in the American south and keep them ignorant.

            Black said some people use the word with an “a” instead of “er” at the end as a way of taking back the word and using it to praise African Americans.

            “There is a significant disconnect with our young people and history, as if they could rewrite history,” Black said.

            Black said his children know the origins of the word and do not use it within his household. He and other panelists said that the use of these words and uncomfortable conversations should begin with just that – a necessary but uncomfortable conversation.

            Excellent urged the group gathered on Tuesday to acknowledge four words that begin with the letter A – awareness, acknowledge, action and accountability.

            Excellent said parents and educators should teach children to be aware of their own race and background; acknowledge that there is a history of systematic racism against nonwhite races, an action plan for how to handle it and accountability for owning up to mistakes and past biases.

            Black said he once asked white students to reflect on where they would like to eat on a certain day and what barber they would like to visit. This simple but eye-opening experience helped him teach his students that certain ethnic groups do not have the privilege to choose.

            Black, who attended an ethnically white college, said he learned that many of his college peers were privileged and could choose where to eat or where to get their hair groomed. Black did not have that same experience growing up.

            Panelists said some adults claim to be color blind and such a move is not helpful toward inclusion and battling systematic racism.

            “The idea that ‘I don’t see color’ is very invalidating,” said Excellent, also the mother of a black child.

            Panelists agreed that such a mentality is a way of dismissing the issue. O’Shaughnessey talked about implicit biases among adults – or a bias that happens unintentionally. Excellent said kids start forming preferences as young as six months old, and Black added that adults need to be cognizant of their actions.

            “They don’t do what we say, they do what we do,” Black said.

            Black said he gives his children white and black dolls at an early age to show them that there are different races. Black also said that when parents give dolls to young girls and trucks to young boys, they should explain that tradition.

            That conversation alone could help raise awareness early on about inclusion of transgender and LGBTQ issues.

            In general, education and conversations are the best allies toward battling systematic discrimination against marginalized groups.

            As far as police brutality toward black people, Black mentioned that parents and educators should acknowledge that police take an oath to serve and protect. Black said youngsters should learn that it’s not the police uniform but the person in it who decides to be corrupt or racist.

            O’Shaughnessey said such corruption can be found in all professions and all walks of life, and children should learn that lesson early.

            After the formal question-and-answer period, many educators and concerned community members asked the panel how schools should handle these issues.

            Black said one of the first steps should be a closed-door session with educators who agree not to judge each other, acknowledge their own biases and set out to correct them for their students.

            “Have a genuine conversation (and say) this is a judge-free zone. This is about the kids,” Black said.

Tri-Town Against Racism

Jeffrey D. Wagner

Ineffective Order Needs New Plan

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The Rochester Conservation Commission Tuesday night revealed that its dispute with the owner of 89 Box Turtle Drive over clearing land too close to wetlands without a permit has yet to be resolved nearly one year after the problem started.

            Commission Chairman Christopher Gerrior told the board the property owner and his attorney had promised that a Notice of Intent for work at the address would be filed by January. But that date has come and gone without definitive action from the owner or his attorney. Just correspondence, but little progress, he said. Meanwhile, the board had halted fining him for the unpermitted work last summer.

            The board debated whether to start fining the owner again but settled on contacting Rochester’s new town counsel for guidance first.

            “I recommend we start fining him again,” Commission member Ben Bailey said. “Then the lawyer will come in and talk to us. Eighty-Nine Box Turtle Drive’s lawyer has been good at playing rope-a-dope.”

            Conservation Commission members asked administrative assistant Dawn DiMaggio how much the process of fining 89 Box Turtle Drive has cost the board. She and Conservation Agent Merilee Kelly calculated a total of around $10,000. Kelly said that is because it cost the town $75 a day for every fine service.

            The commission ultimately agreed to member Mike Gifford’s suggestion that it first get the town attorney’s thoughts on what should be its next action and whether that should include fining him.

“We need an update or a new plan,” Gerrior said.

            The board agreed to begin delivering “noncriminal enforcement tickets,” fining the property owner on a climbing scale of $50, then $100, then $300 per day in July of 2022. The property owner’s wetland code violations involve working closer than 25 feet from wetlands without a permit. The board asked the property owner to file a restoration plan with erosion and sedimentation controls in late July 2022.

            Assessors’ records list the property’s owner only as Connett Woods LLC.

            The Commission began the meeting by swiftly approving a Certificate of Compliance for 226 Alley Road, where a single-family dwelling has been built with on-site sewerage disposal, driveway, utility installation and site grading.

            Gerrior complimented property owner Robert Barboza; Gerrior noted he was on the commission when the project started. “You turned a field into a fine house lot,” he said to Barboza. “Congratulations.”

            Next, the board approved two $60 invoices for its two websites but said it is working on eliminating one of them. DiMaggio said she was told the website managers didn’t want one site to be “bogged down.” That is why some pages, such as the list of hiking trails, were given a separate page, she said. Gerrior concluded the board will continue to pay both bills but will work to combine all its web pages onto one site.

            The board then reappointed William Clapp as a full member but left open the associate member position once held by Kevin Thompson. Gerrior said Thompson can no longer serve on the board because of family obligations. The board rejected his suggestion that Snow’s Pond ecology expert Michelle Kirby be appointed associate member, even though she spends six months of the year in Ecuador. Her expertise would be useful, but she would not be an in-person member for enough of the year, board members said.

            Lastly, Bailey said all of Rochester’s bigger ponds are on the state DEP’s list of Great Ponds, except one. Snow’s Pond is not on that list, even though it matches the criteria of being more than 10 acres. The pond, in fact, measures 55 acres, he said. He asked the Conservation agent to contact the DEP to correct the mistake.

            The Rochester Conservation Commission set its next meeting for Tuesday, April 4, at 7:00 pm.

Rochester Conservation Commission

By Michael J. DeCicco

Nolan Gibbons Memorial Fund

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The Nolan Gibbons Memorial Fund (NGMF) announced that 12 teens from across the country, received scholarships and grants to help support their performance goals. Some winners are using funds to take a class, purchase a new instrument or acquire a software upgrade.

            “We are so grateful to everyone who has donated to us to bring this vision to light. When we started NGMF, our goal was to reach out and support other young people like Nolan to help them pursue their dreams in his honor. We feel incredibly fortunate that we can now share this with everyone, and we know that Nolan would be cheering all of them on.” – shared Sheila J. Gibbons, Founder of NGMF.

            Winners of The Music Career Mastermind three-month virtual Artist Development Program are both from Massachusetts, Kerry Driscoll, 18 (Music Theatre Accelerator) and Jorge R Carrillo, 17 (Music Career Accelerator.)

            Winners of the General Arts Grants are: Emma Bowman, 18 from Virginia; Joe Connelly, 17 from Pennsylvania; Katelyn Craig, 15 from Massachusetts; Oliver Dunn, 16 from Massachusetts; Molly Dupre, 16 from Massachusetts; Anthony Fix, 17 from Rhode Island; Emmilee Jordan, 19 from Rhode Island; Riley Miller, 17 from Massachusetts; Liliana Moreno-Cornejo, 20 from Massachusetts, and Grace Steigerwald, 17 from Florida.

            The Nolan Gibbons Memorial Fund was created to empower and support performing artists. These scholarships and grants are funded by donations to The Nolan Gibbons Memorial Fund and proceeds from the annual NolanFest live music event held each summer at Silvershell Beach in Marion.

            For more information and to apply, please visit: www.nolangibbons.org.

            Earth Day Cleanup in Mattapoisett, Lend a hand to save the land. Keep Mattapoisett Beautiful at the Mattapoisett Earth Day Cleanup on Saturday, April 22 from 9 to 11 am. Register on the library’s calendar of events at mattapoisettlibrary.org.

            Volunteers will meet at the library to get project assignments and supplies. Keep Massachusetts Beautiful, an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, is sponsoring the cleanup and will provide the necessary supplies. Detailed instructions will be emailed to groups the week prior to the cleanup. Volunteers are invited to enjoy pizza and cookies at the library after the cleanup.

            The Mattapoisett Sustainability Partnership is excited to host this cleanup event. The Mattapoisett Sustainability Partnership got its start during a grant initiative at the library, Start Locally – Live Sustainably. The group continues to meet and is taking on projects to raise awareness about food waste, recycling, and climate change. New members are always welcome to join and upcoming meetings are listed on the library’s events calendar. Email mfpl@sailsinc.org for more information about the cleanup or to join the Partnership.

Machacam Club

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The next meeting of the Machacam Club is scheduled for Wednesday, April 5. We meet at the American Legion Eastman Post on Depot Street. Doors open at 5 pm for social time followed by dinner at 6 pm. Our speaker program begins at 6:45. Colby will be preparing a filling and delicious meal. New members are always welcome. Please contact Chuck at cwmccullough@comcast.net with questions.

Response

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To the Editor:

            I write in response to Gina Despres’ letter that appeared in the March 9th edition of The Wanderer. Ms. Despres has clearly articulated the controversy currently existing in the schools and libraries of the three towns and I applaud her for her effort. I would neither add nor subtract any of her words; however, I would argue that rather than “…people in our society who—willfully or not—prefer going backwards into the segregated and closed-minded times of the 1950s …” need to go back more than 400 years when people of color were forcibly brought here in chains.

            Although I no longer reside in Mattapoisett, I lived there for 25 years, served on the ORR school committee, and continue to care deeply about the residents of the tri-town area, especially its students. I am saddened by the articles and letters that have been published in various newspapers and shocked by the attitudes expressed therein.

            Ms. Despres has performed an important service and I applaud her for reminding all of us that “embracing our human melting pot is embracing our whole truth, our whole reality, no matter the generation.”

            Cindy Johnson

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.

Springtime

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It is Spring again, Tra La!

I’m so happy it’s Spring, Tra La!

The days are longer

The sun is warmer

And crocuses, daffodils and tulips abound!

And the red, red Robin goes

bob, bob, bobbling along the ground.

The skies are blue, the snow is past,

and the March winds have slowed at last.

The song of a bird is music to my ear,

The song of a bird is so sweet and clear.

God is in his heaven, and so all’s right again,

and hope springs eternal in the hearts of men.

By Hope Bradley Finley

            Editor’s Note: Hope Bradley Finley passed away on January 13 at age 95. The Mattapoisett resident was thrilled to have The Wanderer publish her poems and essays.

Inclusionary Bylaw Debated

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            At member Jon Henry’s request during Monday night’s public meeting, the Marion Planning Board debated the town’s inclusionary bylaw that requires developers of housing projects to include a percentage of affordable units or pay the town a compensation fee as an escape clause from the requirement.

            Now that Steen Realty has pulled its first permit to begin construction on a 120-unit rental development off Route 6 near the Wareham town line, Marion has technically broken past the state-required, 10% affordable-housing threshold.

            With that, Henry thinks the inclusionary bylaw should go away, incentivizing developers to build market-rate housing that would produce more water/sewer ratepayers and bring much-needed tax revenue into Marion’s coffers.

            Member Andrew Daniel supported Henry’s contention, provided he sees “a shovel in the ground.” Steen’s comprehensive permit, vetted in Marion only by the Zoning Board of Appeals, has a timeline built in.

            “He doesn’t have to build the whole thing, we won’t know until he builds it,” said board member Tucker Burr.

            Daniel pointed out that in the 20 years of the bylaw’s existence, it has never worked according to the town’s intentions.

            “I think this bylaw deters,” market-rate developments, Daniel said, citing Sherman Briggs’ dormant site off of Spring Street. “It’s a major expense to have to put three or four affordable ones there. What I think this does encourage is 40B (affordable housing) instead. It’s created zero (market-rate developments) so far. What has it been, 20 years?”

            Citing zoning restrictions, board member Eileen Marum said that Marion will never be overrun by affordable housing. She said the cost of housing is astronomical and distorted.

            Marum recalled how the Select Board reduced the amount of payment in lieu of taxes from $200,000 to $75,000 but still wants to know how former member John Waterman calculated the lower number.

            Marum further recalled growing up in New Bedford with the diversity in its neighborhoods and school system. “The new thinking is you should have mixed housing … so you can have a vibrant community, because the middle class has been hollowed out of our gateway cities. Everyone has gone off to the suburbs,” she said. “This (proposal) is not for affordable housing, this is basically for middle-income housing. … Something needs to be done to bring back the 35 gateway cities.”

            Burr suggested that the lack of large developments might be seen by some people in Marion as a successful outcome of the bylaw.

            Member Alanna Nelson expressed concern that without the bylaw, Marion could wind up with a friendly 40B development.

            “I think it’s pretty tough when you can’t afford to live in town. … I hope that we can provide a variety of price points to live in Marion,” she said.

            Henry noted that at age 77, he still works. He said he bought his father’s house and sold it to his son at half its value because otherwise, his son would not be able to afford to live in Marion.

            “We need more taxpayers,” he said.

            Planning Board Chairman Norm Hills took a cautionary approach toward “sunsetting” the bylaw.

            “We talk about the 10% goal. The real thing it does is put us in the driver’s seat … we can deny 40B (proposals),” he said, noting that cutting off at 10% is “not a good idea. … We don’t even have the 2020 census data yet. … Personally, I think we need this, the town needs this. … Right now, we’re facing a declining school enrollment, that’s the sign of a dying town.”

            While member Chris Collings only insisted that any bylaw containing a numerical threshold necessary should be sunset-ed upon reaching said threshold, his focus in the discussion was geared toward the rising cost of living.

            The members agreed on one thing, and that’s the necessity for a more-substantial discussion on the bylaw. Nelson pitched for a brainstorming session at the next meeting.

            When the floor was opened to the attending public, a citizen said Henry is trying to create downsizing homes for million-dollar homes, but seniors need much smaller homes. She suggested such people will be pushed out of town and into Wareham.

            “There are a lot of seniors who can’t stay in their homes, and there’s nowhere else for them to go.”

            Citizen Barry Gaffey said, despite going from 3,000 square feet of living space to 1,700, he has been struggling the last five years to “live my dream. … Nothing’s affordable in Marion. That’s the point, I’ll leave it at that.”

            Marum suggested bringing an expert from the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) to moderate a more comprehensive discussion of the board.

            “I can talk to them and find out and let you know. Their goal is to definitely help us if they can,” said Hills. Town Planner Doug Guey-Lee offered his assistance.

            Gaffey took issue with the lack of a sidewalk on Converse Road as a safety concern when the board discussed the town’s Open Space Recreation Plan. He also said that the Planning Board cannot adjudicate access issues regarding property he said belongs to a private association.

            Hills said he was waiting on Henry’s written comments on the Village Style Smart Growth District, and four members asked for time to read the Adoption of the Housing Production Plan before the board votes to approve.

            The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, April 3, at 7:00 pm.

Marion Planning Board

By Mick Colageo

Mattapoisett Congregational Church

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Among the most special times of the entire church year is Holy Week, which commemorates the last week of Jesus’ earthly life. Holy Week starts on Palm Sunday, April 2 and culminates on Easter Sunday, April 9. With music, Word, story and scripture, we will observe this special time of year. We hope you will join us and invite a friend to join you.

            April 2 – Palm Sunday – 10 am in the Sanctuary. Wave your palm fronds high as we recall Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.

            April 7 – Good Friday – 6:30 pm Sanctuary open for quiet meditation. 7:00 pm, a Service of Meditation on the Cross

            April 9 – Easter Sunday – 7 am at the Gazebo in Shipyard Park. A Sunrise Service with coffee. Music by Music Director, Michelle Gordon and guest musician, Bob Williamson.

10 am in the Sanctuary. Christ is risen indeed. Traditional family-friendly service. Music by the Matt Congo Choir and guest musicians, Bob Williamson and Kara Lund. 

            Everyone is welcome at Mattapoisett Congregational Church, 27 Church St, Mattapoisett.

Homophobia/transphobia

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To the Editor;

            After 25 years of enjoying being a year round resident of Mattapoisett, I am saddened at the arrival of the racist, homophobic “wave” that has recently washed ashore in our community. It is no coincidence that the list of books that some town residents are proposing to eliminate from the jr/sr high schools is identical to lists being circulated across this country by homophobic and racist bigots.

            Homophobia/transphobia is making a “comeback” with wildly inaccurate, harmful information being passed off as “facts.” Massachusetts was the first state to legalize gay marriage, and that change has resulted in the legal creation of thousands of loving families.

            Critical race theory (CRT) is actually the accurate telling of our country’s history regarding our involvement in the slave trade and the continuing legacy of racism/white superiority in our country today. We all need to face these facts, not hide them from our students.

            So why are some people advocating for these issues to suddenly be off limits to students in our schools? The books that are on the “removal” list have won awards, been vetted by librarians, and provide accurate information and perspectives to the students who read them, unlike the wildly inappropriate (and at times pornographic) material teens can easily access on their cell phones and laptops.

            We are a community that cares about one another. We need to stop the growing divisiveness that is not accomplishing anything positive. And we need to elect public officials who are committed to openness and acceptance of differences among us.

            This election season, please vote for candidates who believe in a school environment that encourages our students to explore these issues, and to recognize the power, positive or negative, of their words and actions towards others.

Bev Baccelli, Mattapoisett

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.