Letters to the Editor

Banner readers share their thoughts on Turner’s troubles

Thank you for your broad and deep coverage of Chuck Turner (“Chuck Turner: Not the usual federal suspect,” Dec. 4, 2008). It was a pleasure to see both a thorough look at the councilor’s whole career and a photo that captures his warmth rather than his wrath.

Kathe McKenna
Via e-mail

I wish to weigh in on the accusations against City Councilor Chuck Turner.

I am not one of Chuck’s constituents, but have developed a relationship with Chuck over the past few years that makes me feel as if I have lived in his district all of my life. We met while I was working on behalf of one of the other candidates for City Council through “Team Unity.” While we have locked horns in the past over global issues, we have spent much time together discussing strategies of common interest to Boston residents.

I personally was astonished to hear that anyone could suspect Chuck of compromising his integrity. Agree or disagree with Chuck — service to and advocacy for his constituents have always been paramount in his life.

I am confident that these charges will be found to be baseless, and the real victim will be our faith in the law enforcement system.

Some need to “parent up”

Regarding the Banner’s recent article “School-skip bill would put onus on Hub parents” (Nov. 27, 2008): Mitigation of high truancy rates in our schools with court action is right on point!

In his Father’s Day speech, President-elect Barack Obama called on all absentee dads to “man up” and take responsibility for the children they helped bring into this world. If we all agree it was right to ask absentee dads to “man up,” isn’t it also fair to ask those parents who are absent from their child’s rearing enough to allow truancy and tardiness to hurt their child’s development to “parent up” and take similar responsibility?

The lack of attention paid to children in this situation boarders on child abuse, and if it requires a court of law to enlighten us, so be it.

Frankly, our communities grow tired of police reports that indicate a disproportionate rate of crime by individuals that should have been in school. Now matter how forced the intervention may feel to us, it’s time to act.