Opinion

Opinion: We backed away, they sued

To the editor: This is to refute the statement in the article “Land trust, family clash over land” attributed to Dexter Mead, director of the DNRT, “When the property owner later notified DNRT that they did not want DNRT to make any effort to assist...

Opinion: Further elaboration

To the editor: This letter is intended to elaborate on information contained in the Dartmouth Week article under the headline: “ Land trust, family clash over land dispute .” The Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust is suing us because we refuse to...

Opinion: A sheriff who will reduce crime and taxpayer expenses

To the editor: For over 25 years the voters in Bristol County have been subjected to, and enticed by, Sheriff Thomas Hodgson’s tough on crime position that has not only contributed to an increased crime rate but has also cost taxpayers millions of...

Opinion: More on Hodgson's financial abuses

To the editor: Betty Ussach's letter describing Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson's financial abuses doesn't even scratch the surface of the sheriff's contempt for taxpayers. Hodgson didn't bother waiting until being elected to start wasting...

Opinion: The true cost of Sheriff Hodgson

To the editor: In addition to the millions of dollars paid for legal representation of Sheriff Thomas Hodgson, in the many law suits brought against him and his personnel, during the many years as sheriff of Bristol County, can be added the many...

Opinion: A difficult decision

To the editor: I have been a lifelong Republican since I first voted for 'Ike" in 1952. Now I have not always voted only for Republicans but have tried to vote for the most qualified candidate for each office. I would classify myself as a "...

Opinion: Paul Heroux for Sheriff

To the editor: This Fall, Bristol County voters will finally have a chance to elect a sheriff who will come to work each day and do a sheriff's job. Professionally. Paul Heroux, who has a bachelors in Psychology, a masters in Criminology, and who...

Opinion: Support Right to Counsel for renters

To the editor: Recently the NAACP New Bedford Branch hosted a conversation with Annette Duke , Staff Attorney with the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute and the Massachusetts Right to Counsel Coalition on the benefits of Right to Counsel for...

Opinion: Encouraging signs

To the editor: Despite a referendum instead of thoughtful community discussions on the Indian mascot, I've been encouraged by recent statements coming from the Select Board, especially David Tatelbaum, which point to the Town taking up the issue...

Opinion: A response to Hodgson's claim of the SJC decision

To the editor: Sheriff Hodgson’s big claim to victory in the recent Supreme Judicial Court decision is not at all what he says it is. While billing it as a “benefit to taxpayers”, Hodgson obscures the fact that the court simply ruled that given the...

Opinion: Which interpretation is correct?

To the editor: In the recent release of the Supreme Count draft decision on Roe v. Wade , Justice Samuel Alito held that the court must use the word meaning of the founding fathers. In the Constitution, the founding fathers gave us the...

Opinion: Sheriff Hodgson’s generosity with tax payers’ money

To the editor: Just as sheriff Thomas Hodgson has devoted his entire career to self promoting activities, with his time and energy, he has also distributed monies to projects and organizations, but barely to those who are incarcerated in his...

Opinion: Ash Street opponents are wrong

To the editor: It being an election year, it’s no surprise that a big issue I’ve seen in the media with regard to the Sheriff’s race is the Ash Street Jail and Regional Lock-Up in New Bedford. The jail opened in 1888. It’s more than a century old...

Opinion: A simple question for Betty Ussach

To the editor: I have one question for Betty Ussach, as simple as it may be, has she ever toured the facility and spoken to Sheriff Hodgson about his programs? I am willing to bet she has not. Margaret A. Sweet, Dartmouth

Opinion: Should three become one?

To the editor: In a recent edition, the budgets of the three fire districts of Dartmouth were published. I also received a letter from my district (two) asking if I would like to have an additional service. Now, Fire Districts have a long and...

Opinion: Sheriff accountability must be reformed

To the editor: Sheriffs should be held to the same law conforming, financially transparent and oath abiding standards as all other elected officials in Massachusetts. Because the tenure of office is six years, and therefore significantly longer than...

Opinion: Jail programs do not come without cost

To the editor: I’d like to thank Betty Ussach for her continued concern for both the inmates and staff of the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office . While it’s nice to be cared about, unfortunately Ms. Ussach doesn’t know what she’s talking about...

Opinion: Sheriff’s 25 years speaks to his commitment to everyone in Bristol County

To the editor: I’m going to be upfront with your readers. Not only am I a local resident having lived most of my life in New Bedford before recently moving to Dartmouth, but I am also an employee of the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office, where I have...

Opinion: True democracy had its day on April 5

To the editor: On April 5, the Town of Dartmouth held Town Elections for the offices of Select Board, School Committee , and a few other offices or posts. On the ballot was a question about keeping the Dartmouth High School logo as the "Dartmouth...

Opinion: Take note Dartmouth School Committee, the logo issue still remains

To the editor: Tuesday’s vote to maintain the Dartmouth logo, and the preceding debates, clearly indicate two mandates : the logo will remain and an historically accurate depiction of the indigenous tribes and their encounters with the immigrants to...

Opinion: Dartmouth voters, be clear about who and what you are voting for

To the editor: Most Dartmouth mascot supporters are either alumnae of the Dartmouth schools themselves or have children who play sports or music. For you the mascot is just a harmless part of a beautiful town's background. I get it. I have lived...

Opinion: Getting ‘tough on crime,’ Sheriff Hodgson hasn’t worked and cost too much taxpayer money

To the editor: Thomas Hodgson, the renowned “making the community safe” sheriff of Bristol County, in reality has made the community less safe, and simultaneously cost millions of dollars to the taxpayers. A community is not safe when those people...

Opinion: Logo ‘keeps our history alive’

To the editor: I am a proud Native American of the Quechan and Pawnee tribes. I am writing in support of the Dartmouth Indian symbol. As a Native, I do not feel that the symbol is in any way disrespectful or insensitive. I know what being...

Opinion: Please save our symbol of our relationship with indigenous people

To the editor: I grew up on Smith Neck Road and attended and graduated from the Dartmouth School system in 1971. I was a member of the football and track teams, though not very good. I feel I have a unique perspective of the current issue of the use...

Opinion: Is ‘Defend Dartmouth’ offensive?

To the editor: Someone found the slogan “Defend Dartmouth” quite offensive: “This is not a war, what are you defending for?” True, but “defend” does not have to be a war – that is why a student does not defend his thesis with a sword. Since when did...

Opinion: Vote April 5 to preserve the ‘Indian’

To the editor: I am not originally from Dartmouth and I did not go to Dartmouth High. However, I have friends from Dartmouth, and I CHOSE to move here and raise my family. Dartmouth is a beautiful community full of great people! I now have three...

Opinion: Eliminate the harm we are causing to so many indigenous people

To the editor: One of the things I’ve always loved about Dartmouth is the strong sense of community and the care, compassion, and courtesy people show to one another. Whether it’s paying it forward at the Dunkin’ drive-thru, waving someone through...

Opinion: Defend Dartmouth from what?

To the editor: George Marcotte, in his letter of March 17, gets both his history and his facts wrong. In 2019 the Flag & Seal bill was refiled by members of the House and Senate — again, after 34 years of attempts by indigenous people and former...

Opinion: It is disingenuous to claim that the retaining of the Dartmouth logo is preserving the history or honor of Native Americans

To the editor: How many schools, towns or teams feature a Native American woman planting seeds or hand sewing leather garments as their logo or emblem? How many Dartmouth residents or graduates of Dartmouth High School can tell you which tribe is...

Opinion: Defend Dartmouth

To the editor: A lot of Dartmouth residents are very shocked to hear that the Dartmouth Indian logo is under assault. The first question they ask is, how did we get here? This is what I tell them. In early 2019, School Committee member and professor...

Opinion: Proud and thankful alumna

To the editor: This letter is written in support of reaffirming the Wampanoag logo to represent the spirit of the students, faculty, and staff of Dartmouth High School who pay homage respectfully to the local Wampanoags, a tribe of which some them...

Opinion: We need more ordinary citizens in the legislature

To the editor: When our Governor announced that he and his running mate would not seek reelection, many of us feared that the true side of the Republican party would not be represented in the 2022 election. Happily that is not going to be the case...

Opinion: Voters should watch native forum before making decision on Indian

To the editor: I believe that Dartmouth folks who wear the icon and use the name “Indian” do so out of a deep connection to their community and a pride in our unique history with the peoples who first owned this land. It is a complex history. [...

Opinion: The Dartmouth Indians unite us

To the editor: To change, retire or eliminate the Dartmouth High School logo/symbol would be an injustice to the students, Wampanoags and the residents of Dartmouth. I applaud the Dartmouth Select Board for putting the logo support to a vote by...

Opinion: Time for a symbol that represents the values of diversity and inclusivity

To the editor: Perhaps the fervent stance on display in Dartmouth by some (but most assuredly not all) to retain the Indian mascot is intended to honor the legacy of Native peoples who thrived on this land before colonialism. Perhaps the position to...

Opinion: The time has come for Dartmouth to remove the Native American logo

To the editor: A majority of the Native American Indians in Massachusetts oppose the use of any Native American mascot. They include: Massachusetts Indigenous Legislative Agenda, United American Indians of New England, the National Congress of...

Opinion: A recent graduate's perspective on the Dartmouth Indians

To the editor: My senior year at Dartmouth High School was in 2020 — you can imagine how that went. As president of the Speech and Debate club, a member of the Student Council, and the sole Student Body representative at School Committee meetings, I...

Opinion: Dartmouth Pride

To the editor: I have lived in Dartmouth my whole life and am a proud alumnus of Dartmouth High School, Class of 1998. On April 5 , I’m voting to save the Dartmouth Indian. The indigenous inhabitants of the region have a rich history that predates...

Opinion: If the Wampanoag Nation is proud to see the imagery, then their opinion certainly outweighs this old white man’s views

To the editor: My thoughts — as someone who moved to Dartmouth beginning in eighth grade and am a proud graduate of the DHS Class of 1970 — humbled and proud to have been elected as our class president. In retrospect, I regret that our yearbook...

Opinion: Logo is part of the fabric of our lives

To the editor: As life-long members of the local community, Dartmouth Pride isn’t just a motto in our family, it’s in some ways part of the fabric of our lives. And as former Dartmouth High Student athletes, Dartmouth Pride was always inextricably...

Opinion: You can't vote away human rights

To the editors: Two claims that defenders of the Dartmouth school mascot frequently make are simply wrong: (1) “no Native Americans are offended by mascots” and (2) “we are just honoring Native Americans.” These two claims are simply false. Many...

Opinion: School logo respectfully pays homage to American Indian history

To the editor: As a proud member of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), I urge Dartmouth to keep the Indian; not only because of the way it looks, but also because of what it represents. Dartmouth, and its surroundings, are rich in American...

Opinion: A diversity committee without diversity

To the editor: In the 1970s, a band called Buffalo Springfield released a song called For What It’s Worth. Some of the lyrics went like this: “I think it’s time we stop Children, what’s that sound? Everybody look, what’s going down?” I think the...

Opinion: The town is putting the cart before the horse

To the editor: I agree with George Marcotte’s letter of Feb. 14 on one thing: I wish that the Dartmouth School Committee had gotten the public more involved in the argument over whether to retire the Dartmouth “Indian.” I think that the committee...

Opinion: This is a moral issue

To the editor: George Marcotte's letter of Feb. 14 (" How does a subcommittee represent the masses? ") to Dartmouth Week is filled with so much misinformation and so many dog whistles that it requires a lengthy rebuttal. Mr. Marcotte, who heads up a...

Opinion: Leave the Indian symbol alone

To the editor: Do not let “Elite-Saviorism” destroy our community culture and history! As a Dartmouth resident originally from a foreign country, the Dartmouth Indian symbol speaks to the unique history of this community with Native Americans being...

Opinion: How does a subcommittee represent the masses?

To the editor: The diverse and inclusive world we live in today allows every voice to be heard. Sadly, that is not the case in Dartmouth. There has been a behind the scenes movement to cancel the Dartmouth Indians name and symbol from the fabric of...

Opinion: Take care, so we at Southcoast can take care of you

Since Covid-19 arrived in our region nearly two years ago, Southcoast Health has depended on the community to help fight a pandemic that has sickened and killed too many of our family members, neighbors and friends. Once again, we need your...

Opinion: The GOP must accept its reality

To the editor: With the coming midterms forecasted by many to bring about a firm repudiation of the left-wing government that has been in power since 2020 — of which many Americans have seen as being lackluster whether it be foreign policy blunders...

Opinion: Time to elect a law-abiding sheriff

To the editor: First and foremost the Department of Homeland Security cancelled both contracts with Sheriff Thomas Hodgson regarding his detention and processing of undocumented immigrants. Second, Attorney General Maura Healey issued a sixty page...