Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I support President Biden’s decision to remove US troops from Afghanistan. With his announcement, we are now subjected by pundits to a muddled and murky sea of politics, policy and predictions. We must not be distracted from the concerns and issues of the human beings and lives at stake. The American service people who have died, those that been visibly and invisibly injured, the families who have sacrificed irreplaceable time with a family member, loving parent or spouse have all been casualties of this war. They deserve our respect. American allies on the ground in Afghanistan are now vulnerable. They deserve our protection The women of all ages of Afghanistan are in a perilous position with the current unpredictability of circumstances but a grim history of Taliban performance. They are deserving of our vigilance, protection and support.
Please join me in supporting Mina’s List, which works collaboratively with regional women’s rights organizations and legislators to build the skills of aspiring women political leaders, including women in Afghanistan. Learn more here.
Yours in Service,
Denise
District Updates
- In Needham, the American Red Cross will host a Blood Drive at the Center at the Heights (CATH) Friday, August 20th from 9 am to 2 pm. To schedule a time, visit the Red Cross’s website here. Also, the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber has changed its name to the Charles River Regional Chamber as it now serves Needham, Newton, Wellesley, and Watertown.
- In Dover, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection will be attending the Board of Selectmen meeting tonight at 6:30pm to discuss Colonial Water’s Corrective Action Plan. You can view the agenda and link to view the meeting on zoom here.
- In Medfield, the Town has received two proposals to redevelop the Medfield State Hospital site. You can view them on the Town’s website here.
Statewide Updates
- The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that people whose immune systems are compromised moderately to severely should receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine after the initial 2 doses. The Mass. Department of Public Health has not yet updated its guidance to reflect this. Click here for more information, including a list of who may be eligible.
- Today, the Governor announced that all Executive Branch employees shall be required to maintain full COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment. To read the full Executive Order, click here.
- Established by Chapter 253 of the Acts of 2020 (commonly referred to as the “Police Reform Law”), the Special Commission on Qualified Immunity will host a virtual public comment meeting on Friday, August 20, at 11 a.m. to give members of the public an opportunity to share their views on qualified immunity and its impact on the administration of justice in the Commonwealth. The public hearing will be livestreamed on the Commonwealth’s website. Written testimony may be submitted by e-mail to jacqueline.o.manning@mahouse.gov.
