Letter: Westport must resist this ‘sneak attack’ on animal care

Posted 9/4/18

To the editor,

In a way it is only appropriate that Westport own leaders have selected September 11 to discuss the abrupt “about face” by the Agricultural Commission on the proposed animal …

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Letter: Westport must resist this ‘sneak attack’ on animal care

Posted

To the editor,

In a way it is only appropriate that Westport own leaders have selected September 11 to discuss the abrupt “about face” by the Agricultural Commission on the proposed animal registry. September 11, also called Patriots Day in the US, marks the worst “sneak attack” since Pearl Harbor, one in which Westport sadly lost a resident.

While what happened on August 13 pales in comparison to the loss of life on September 11 and at Pearl Harbor, they are similar in their treachery. As one can learn from history, just before Pearl Harbor, Japanese politicians were talking peace, then “without warning” they attacked This is eerily simila to what happened at the Ag Commission. At a joint meeting of the Board of Health, politicians expressed support of the Animal Registry. Five days later, “without explanation,” the AG Commission voted against it.

Whether Westporters use Pearl Harbor or September 11 as inspiration, the lesson for going forward on the Animal Registry is clear. After those two sneak attacks, the citizens united, put their differences aside and expressed their righteous outrage. They turned out and spoke up about the injustice and the treachery.

This is what must happen this September 11 at the Board of Health Meeting at Town Hall. On that day, after Westport honors the memory of a brave flight attendant and marks the loss of first esponders that answered the call, Westporters must turn out in record numbers to honor the tragic memory of the animals lost on the Mederios Farm to ensure it won’t happen a third time.

I have been fortunate in the service to pay my respects at Pearl Harbor and honored to have rendered assistance as Southbridge town manager to New York City on September 11. I have also been blessed to serve as town administrator in Westport, a wonderful community.

Yet, it is troubling to me that while some politicians in Westport talk of either “Pearl Harbor” ,“September 11”, or the “Mederios Farm, we hear the similar refrain of “Never Again”, “Never Forget” and “Always Remember” because sadly in Westport those words continue to ring hollow as to the scourge of animal abuse.

Let’s change that this September 11.

Michael Coughlin

Methuen, Mass.

Mr. Coughlin was Westport town administrator 2007-2011, during the time of the first animal abuse discoveries at the Medeiros property.

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