By Ginger Costen

In case you hadn’t noticed over the years that when writing a column, I try to put everything there is to say into that one editorial. This certainly was the case last week when I wrote my piece on gun control. However, having received comments – both pro and con – in person, on the phone and via email, I feel the need to follow up with a response or two.

First, let’s define the word “assault.” According to Wikipedia (my go-to Internet source for those of us who are often confused by having way too many words with the same meaning) the specific meaning of assault varies between countries, but can refer to an act that causes another to apprehend immediate and personal violence or in the more limited sense, a threat of violence caused by an immediate show of force.

Next, let’s see what they say about the meaning of “rifle.”As a noun the word rifle is describing a gun, especially one fired from shoulder level, having a long spirally grooved barrel intended to make a bullet spin and thereby have greater accuracy over a long distance.  

Now let’s put the two words together. An assault rifle is a military rifle with a detachable magazine that utilizes anintermediate-power cartridge, and that generally is capable offull-automatic fire, where multiple rounds are fired continuously when the trigger is pulled one time (such as a machine gun)or burst capable, where a burst of several rounds is fired when the trigger is pulled one time. 

When did we first start using the assault rifle?

Again, according to Wikipedia, the assault rifle became the standard military rifle in the post-World War II era. The Soviet Union was the first nation in the post-war era to adopt an assault rifle, the AK-47, and other nations followed later.

Experience during the World Wars had shown that most infantry combat took place at a distance of 220–330 feet and that the winner of any given conflict would most likely be the one with the highest rate of fire. Assault rifles are the standard service rifles in most modern armies and should be distinguished from the United States legal term “assault weapons.”

Hmmm, I thought they were one and the same.

In more casual usage, the term "assault weapon" is sometimesconfused with the term "assault rifle." The use of the term "assault weapon" is highly controversial, as critics assert that the term is a media inventionor a term that is intended to cause confusion among the public by intentionally misleading the public to believe that assault weapons (as defined in legislation) are fully-automatic firearms when they are not.

So how does this fit into the concept that the American people have an individual right to own and carry weapons? Well, I’m glad you asked.  Please, Wikipedia give us the information.

In the United States of America the term “right to own and carry weapons” refers to the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution contained in the Bill of Rights which protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms. It was adopted on December 15, 1791, along with the rest of the Bill of Rights.

Furthermore, in 2008 the Supreme Court of the United States first ruled that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess and carry firearms unconnected to service in a militia and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home.

Okay, let’s review.  An “assault weapon and/or rifle is a military weapon that can be continuously fired and is meant to cause immediate and personal violence. Furthermore, anyone can have an assault rifle/weapon because in 1791 our founding fathers said that we could.

In 1791 we had just spent the previous 100 plus years fighting with the Spanish, French and English to hold onto the land which we’d taken away from the Native American Indians. We needed weapons to protect ourselves from just about everyone and anything

But it’s now 2013 and the “Wild West” has been settled along with the rest of the country. We no longer “need” guns to put food on the table. Need proof?  How about Price Chopper, Shaw’s. Market Basket, or Park “n Shop? We can literally jump in the car and go buy a roast, chicken, lobster or whatever our heart’s desire and be home cooking it before the Pilgrims had plucked all the tail feathers off old Tom turkey. Still in a hurry and don’t have time to fix the food, there are great restaurants like Talk of the Town, Golden Greek, Titi’s or Michaels (to name a few).

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, of the 30,470 firearm-related deaths in the United States in 2010, 19,392 (63.6%) were suicide deaths, and 11,078 (36.4%) homicide deaths.

Hand guns figured in the Virginia Tech shootings, the Binghamton massacre, the Fort Hood massacre, the Oikos University shooting, and the 2011 Tucson shooting. Assailants with multiple weapons (including assault) were used in committing the Aurora Theater shooting, and both the Columbine High School and Sandy Hook Elementary massacres.

Policies at the federal, state, and local levels have attempted to address gun violence through a variety of methods, including restricting firearms purchases by youths and other "at-risk" populations, setting waiting periods for firearm purchases, establishing gun "buy-back" programs, law enforcement and policing strategies, stiff sentencing of gun law violators, education programs for parents and children, and community-outreach programs.

The Congressional Research Service in 2009 estimated there were 310 million firearms in the United States, not including weapons owned by the military. 114 million of these were handguns, 110 million were rifles, and 86 million were shotguns. In that same year, the Census bureau stated the population of people in America at 305,529,237.

As a final note, the verb form of the word “rifle” means to search through something in a hurried way in order to find or steal something. We “need” to rifle through a serious and productive form of gun control before we find that all of our youth and innocent people have had their lives stolen.

The next time you walk into a movie theater or mall ask yourself if the founding fathers meant for everyone to own an assault weapon. The next time you take your child or grandchildren to school ask yourself if our country needs a stronger policy on gun control? And if you still can’t see why we do… close your eyes and remember the faces from Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Only our military and law enforcement personnel need assault rifles and/or weapons.

I would like to take this opportunity to inform you, that I will support Don Bourque, who is running for the State Representative seat for the 18^th Worcester District on November 6^th and I hope you will too.  The new re-districting will cover Webster, Douglas, Sutton and 2 precincts in South Oxford.  I had the opportunity to meet Don about a year ago, as he is one of our Webster Selectman. In additional to being a Webster Selectman, he is also a business owner in town and has a past history of being involved with our Webster Fire Department.  I‘ve had many conversations with him in regard to people with disabilities and the elderly, and he has been very supportive.  He has come to many of the activities I am very involved in, including Food Share, fundraisers and social events.  He really seems to understand our issues and is willing to work hard for us on Beacon Hill.

He has opened an office at 148 Main St., Webster, where you can meet him and find out more about his views.       Don’t take my word for it…  If you would like an opportunity to meet him yourself and ask him questions.. We can arrange that too.

I, as a parent of an adult with disabilities, will support Don because he has proven to me that he will support the programs and issues that are important to me and my family.   Feel free to call me if you have any questions.

Linda Cournoyer
Webster

To the Editor:

There are many reasons I am going to vote for Kathleen Walker for State Rep in the 6^th Worcester District on November 6^th.  I trust her.  I trust that she speaks the truth.  And I trust that she has the will, the experience,  and the negotiating skills to accomplish what she believes is best for the voters of Dudley, Charlton, Southbridge, and Spencer.

Kathleen is an avowed proponent for meaningful, productive jobs for our District.  There is not a more committed advocate for our schools, our environment, or our communities than Kathleen.

I understand that the current Rep, is not well-liked or respected by the House leadership, (and some members of his own party), Kathleen has already been meeting and working with the  House leadership to gain support for each of our towns.  In order to be productive as a State Rep you need to be honest and respected.  She is.

According to campaign finance reports, Kathleen’s financial support is LOCAL.  Over 73% of her campaign contributions are from citizens of the District.  On the other hand, more than 80% of her opponent’s contributions are from OUTSIDE the District.  That tells you something, doesn’t it?

When Kathleen files a bill, she will shepherd it through to passage, unlike her opponent who doesn’t have the clout to get the most trivial bills through in a timely manner.  And that’s not just because he is a Republican.

Kathleen answers questions and returns phone calls.  She doesn’t dodge constituents, hoping that they’ll go away.    People will always know where she stands on an issue.  She doesn’t give long, rambling answers that leave folks shaking their heads and saying “huh?”

I urge you to join me in voting for Kathleen Walker.  She has been, and will be, open, honest, and effective…for US.

Paul Joseph, Selectman
Dudley

In March 2012, Harrington HealthCare and Hubbard Health Systems announced their Strengthening Our Future capital campaign to raise $8.8 million to modernize and expand the Emergency Department at the Harrington HealthCare at Hubbard campus in Webster. This facility has a high level of patient satisfaction and was rated one of the Top Hospitals in Massachusetts, but the current ER, while providing quality care, is lacking in size, privacy, egress and mechanical systems.

We are rebuilding the Emergency Department so that it can stay abreast of the rapid changes in medicine and technology and continue to meet the needs of our community in the years to come.

The project will consist of a physical addition in the area adjacent to the current cafeteria. It will result in an Emergency Department that is triple the size of the current unit. There will be nine treatment rooms including Trauma, Cardiac and Negative Pressure rooms, new, state-of-the art equipment, privacy areas, a family waiting room; and new and separate entrances for patients and ambulances. One can view plans and a video rendering at www.harringtonhospital.org/give.

Harrington HealthCare System leases the hospital building from Hubbard Health Systems on a long-term basis. Hubbard Health Systems owns the building and the land at 340 Thompson Road.  The rebuilt Emergency Department will also be owned by Hubbard Health Systems. Harrington HealthCare has invested close to $4 million to date which has resulted in an improvement in clinical services.

A generous benefactor is matching donations dollar for dollar up to the first $4 million donated. Currently, the project has raised $671,000 toward the total needed and with the match equals $1.3 million.  Now is the time to make a tax-deductible contribution to the project.  Checks can be made payable to Harrington Hospital Webster Emergency Department Campaign.  Please send your check to the Office of Development, Harrington HealthCare System, 100 South Street, Southbridge, MA  01550. A donor form is available online at www.harringtonhospital.org/give.

As Chair of the Hubbard Health Systems Board, I would like to personally thank you for supporting our local community hospital.  With your help and the partnership with Harrington HealthCare, we will ‘Strengthen Our Future.'

Hubbard Health Systems
Bill DuPont, Board Chair
(508) 943-6800

To the editor:

I am writing to you on a couple of sports stories in the Webster area.  First the Nichols player who was a former WWE star Ken Doane.  I actually worked the scoreboard on the Bay Path home games, that was my memory of Ken and later watched him battle some of the legends and even Hall of Famers in the WWE. The story also mentioned him working with the late Killer Kowalski, I was honored to meet him when he was in Southbridge nearly 15 years ago when his camp put on a show here in Southbridge.  Also on the subject of Bay Path, that brings me to one of my old friends and classmates Gia Didonato Scroczenski, who finished 8th in the Danskin Triathlon in Webster back in July and will be competing in London in Mid September.

I remember that Gia and another fellow Bay Path Cheerleader named Shelly Dumont (Boisvert) were part of the Cheerleading group in the London New Year's Parade back in 1995.  To Gia and Ken, the best of luck in the future.  That's it for now!

Justin Bernard
51 Main Street
Southbridge, MA 01550
508-765-1577

Dear Editor,

I am relatively new in Webster and was surprised and delighted to discover a campaign office for Elizabeth Warren, Jim McGovern, and Don Borque on Main Street across from The Party Planner. I went in, asked questions, and decided that rather than sitting on the sidelines complaining, I would invest some spare time and get involved.

Shy by nature, I hesitated about going canvassing in the neighborhoods. I was afraid people would be angry at the door knocks or hostile to my candidates of choice. Maybe they were, but most chose to disagree without being disagreeable. As a canvasser, our job is to inform and identify, not to argue or persuade.

There are other things people can do besides canvas, though. Call banks and data entry are other opportunities, and the staff always welcomes food-and-drink support if people would rather donate goods than spend time there.

On the whole, being involved in the campaign has been a great way to meet neighbors and come to realize that we all want what’s best for our country—we just might not see eye-to-eye on the means for doing that. In the process of volunteering, I’ve met some pretty great people, too.

So if you are like-minded, do stop by and see what job might fit your time and interests.

Sheri Sinykin

Another year has gone by and there is still no disclosure of how much money was collected at Memorial Beach for the 4th of July fireworks, and how it was spent. The private donors as well as the spectators have a right to know!

PS: Webster is the only town in Worcester County to charge admission for its fireworks.

Name withheld by request

May 7, 2012, Board of Selectman Election Reflection

Prior to the May 7^th election candidate Robert Miller distributed campaign flyers citing that as selectman for Webster he would be, “A voice for the people not against the people,”

further citing that he would be, “Your voice without the fees.” Within the flyer he also accused then-selectman Walter “Dan” Ricci of questionable voting practices, including “Voting to increase fees at Memorial Beach, higher fees for Webster businesses, and increasing taxes year after year.”

As I reflect on these statements made by Mr Miller, I cannot help note multiple contradictions between his words and his actions since that time. For example, on June 4, 2012, he seconded the motion to shift debt from the sewer enterprise account to residents and business property owners of Webster. This debt shift becomes a tax on all residents, from our youngest citizens to our senior citizens.

Additionally, at the July 9, 2012, board meeting, Mr. Miller brought to the table his desire to amend the present Memorial Beach fee structure to include charging our Webster residents a fee for those who choose to walk into our beach.

On April 18, 2012, candidate Robert Miller was quoted in the Patriot Newspaper saying “The thing is, you don’t lie to people. I’m a firm believer in telling the truth. I got in trouble for that a few times…" Like this article, Mr Miller’s pattern of behaviour is merely a reflection of past practices he vowed to correct during his campaign.

Perhaps Mr Miller has changed his package, but not his contents.

Barbara Ricci
Concerned Webster Resident

Webster, I just want to clear up a few things concerning the money in the Court of Honor trust.

That money was collected from the people who bought bricks to put in the Court of Honor, when these brick were bought it was told that the profit from the brick would be used for any maintenance and repairs that would be needed in the Court of Honor.

That does not include the Civil War Monument.

There are people trying to say that since a 3-foot walkway was put in to connect the two it is now part of the Court of Honor, and any maintenance or repairs should be taken out of the Court of Honor trust. Right now you have enough money in that trust to take care of the Court of Honor for about 20 years if not longer, but if you start to use that on the Civil War monument or any monument not part of the Court of Honor that could be gone in 5-8 years, if not less.

That Civil War Monument has been part of the town for over 100 years, and to now say the town has no responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance when there was a special account set up in early 2000"s just to make sure the Monument was cleaned and the statues were able to be maintained with a protective coating to keep them from turning green, but now that account is not funded with enough money to do that anymore. And when I went to get money at the Town Meeting, it was always passed over for more information. As a former member of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument Committee I thought the public should be aware of this.

Ray Bembenek

This Independence Day is especially significant to me. As I campaign for state representative in the 18th Worcester district of Webster, Douglas, Sutton and Oxford, each and every person who I meet has a special story that reminds me of why America is great. Their “independent” spirits have come together to make America the land of the free and the home of the brave.

I’m running to keep this great dream alive. I will work to create more good jobs in the district, preserve adequate funding for our emergency services, and help our senior citizens and those with less ability to live in comfort and safety. That’s what government should do and that’s what I’ll deliver as your state representative.

Have a safe and happy 4th and celebrate America’s spirit!

Donald Bourque
Candidate for State Representative