Categories: Editorials

Letters to the Editor

WINTHROP BUSINESS OWNERS SUPPORT CLEAN ENERGY PRODUCTION

 Dear Editor:

We are Winthrop business owners who are very concerned about the economic damage Winthrop is experiencing due to increased flooding and more frequent and severe storms. This has affected us and our customers. We understand that tackling climate change is our great challenge, but with great challenges come great economic opportunities.  We know we have to act now.

We support Massachusetts legislation, which will drive clean energy production. This includes increasing the renewable portfolio standard to 3 percent annually. This will drive the market for renewables, promote economic development, and reduce emissions.

Also, we support lifting the solar net metering cap.

Finally, we support enacting a price on carbon emissions to create economic incentives for businesses and consumers to reduce fossil fuel consumption and increase adoption of cleaner alternatives. Carbon pricing will benefit our local economy by keeping more money in the state, and will increase jobs, investment, and innovation on MA. As we have heard, cities and towns will lead the way. We are proud Winthrop supporters of climate solutions.

 

The Winthrop Pro Shop, Jim Gillis

La Parisienne,

Rafik Chaib

Winthrop Market Place, Marc Wallerce

Inc.ubate Coworking, Michael Lucerto

La Petite Boutique, Sara Roth Oosten

John’s Barber Shop, Thomas Console

Christopher’s Flowers

Special F/X, ToniAnn Cherico

Bobby Lou’s Jewelry, Bobby Lou

Center Cafe, Roger Oliveira

La Siesta

Eyes On Me Beauty, Nataly Mercado

Gagin Insurance

McCormick Flowers, Ryan McCormick

Sandy Paws,

Amanda Koutalakis

Square Market

Hong Kong Dragon

 

THANK YOU TO DR. PRANSKY AND STAFF

Dear Editor:

Moving to a new town and having a second child on the way, I really wanted to make sure that my family would be well cared for.  I have now been here 37 years and am thrilled to say that I’ve been fortunate enough to go to the same doctor’s office this whole time.   In that time, not only have I had a great doctor-patient relationship with Dr. Pransky, but I have also had the opportunity to get to know the staff.  I am not sure how it is at other doctor’s offices, but this is a special one and I so lucky to have these people in my own hometown.

Anne, Elaine, and Maria have always been there for me and have made me feel welcomed, respected, and understood every time I go to the office.  As the years went by, Dr. Pransky and his staff have not only cared for me and my family, but we have developed a friendship.  You can go to a bigger healthcare practice with a bigger office, but you will not find a better group of caring professionals who will treat you with the courtesy and respect that you deserve.  It starts with a phone call to Marlene, and she always makes sure that your appointment time works for you. Next, Ann will make sure that your prescriptions are filled and ready for pick up at your preferred location. Then, Elaine and Maria will make certain that all the details are taken care of and all directions and guidelines are written out.  Finally comes Dr. Gary Pransky, a man who has made Winthrop his work home.  He has given his all to his patients from this town and surrounding communities.

So from me and my family, thank you for all you have done and continue to do.  Here is a proven fact; the biggest is not always the best.  Not when you have Dr. Pransky, Elaine, Ann, Maria, Marlene, Vicky, and Jessica here in Winthrop.

Marc Wallerce, Owner,

 Winthrop Marketplace

 

 

Work of CASA continues

Dear Community Members:

As many of you know, Community Action for Safe Alternatives (CASA), a primary prevention coalition founded in Winthrop in 1997, is in the final year of a federal drug and alcohol prevention grant that has been the main source of our funding for the last 10 years. As this $125,000 annual grant has been coming to a close, the board, our staff, and our volunteers have worked extremely hard to privately raise funds. However, it is unlikely we will be able to raise the amount necessary to replace the full funding from our federal grant. With that said, CASA will need to restructure its operations in order to sustain the organization. This includes Amy Epstein pursuing other opportunities outside of her current role as CASA’s Director.

Amy came to CASA in 2015.  Over the past three years, Amy has worked tirelessly with the community to make Winthrop a better place through the work of primary prevention. During Amy’s tenure as the Director, she has been an advocate for Winthrop’s youth which includes her work developing the CASA Youth Advisory Board, a peer-to-peer initiative to prevent risky behaviors at the Middle School and High School levels and also the Winthrop Youth Provider’s Network, a conglomeration of the youth service providers in town. Amy has strengthened community relationships and has committed herself to her work and CASA’s mission. We cannot thank her enough for her support, efforts, and dedication to the Winthrop Community.

Please note, while Amy’s role and CASA’s programming may be shifting, the Board is committed to continuing the work of our coalition. Thank you to those of you who have supported our efforts over the years and in the most recent months. Once again, thank you Amy Epstein.

The CASA board of

directors

 

WE ARE VUNERABLE TO CLIMATE CHANGE

Dear Mr. Speaker:

Last winter  served as a reminder  of how vulnerable Winthrop,Revere and East Boston are to climate change. We saw record flooding and storm surges,and many members of our community lost power.  Our beloved Belle Isle Marsh saw extreme flooding, with salt inundating the upland habitat,killing wildlife, trees and other vegetation.

We know that more of this is in our future. A report by the Union of Concerned Scientists found that Winthrop is the single most vulnerable coastalcommunity in the Commonwealth when it comes to sea-level rise;it shows that in a “high sea level rise” scenario, 11-percent of Winthrop will be {/chronically inundated”- i.e., flooding in over 10-percent of the land area- at least 26 times per year by 2030.

For that reason we urge you to act with urgency in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions that are exacerbating climate change.

Massachusetts is not going to solve climate change on its own. But we are a leader state that others follow. With this in mind we respectfully urge you to support accelerating the Renewable Portfolio Standard {RPS) to 3-percent a year.

The RPS is a mandate on electric suppliers,including the utilities, to source a certain percentage of renewable energy.  In 2018,this requirement is 13-percent, and under current law it increases by 1-percent per year. At that rate,we will be at 25-percent renewable energy by 2030.

In contrast, California,New York and New Jersey have set goals of 50-percent renewable energy by 2030.

By boosting our rate of increase to 3-percent a year starting in 2019,the Commonwealth would reach 49-percent renewable energy by 2030,speeding our transition to fossil free energy, keeping more energy dollars here at home, and creating local jobs.

The other issue we would like you to support is a statewide ban on plastic bags. Over 80 communities in Massachusetts,including Boston,have voted to ban them; Winthrop and Revere are likely to follow  suit. It makes more sense to have one uniform policy across the state. This is a common sense way to reduce the amount of plastic pollution in our environment, particularly our marine environment.

Friends of Belle Isle Marsh

Joanne McKenna

President

Transcript Staff

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