Since the opening of a women's health clinic on Groveland Street this summer, members of the group Operation Rescue have gathered weekly outside the office to protest abortion.
No issue is more controversial and polarizing.
Supporters vehemently defend the right of women to receive the legal medical procedure.
Opponents just as vehemently condemn the practice.
It is understandable that neighbors would be concerned about the presence of protesters in the neighborhood. But while they can be a nuisance to some residents and businesses, there cannot be any move to limit or eliminate them.
The protesters are within their rights — as long as they follow state buffer zone laws — to congregate on public property and make their beliefs known.
The First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees that right.
The pickets have been peaceful and protesters have made no attempts to interfere with patients entering the medical building.
Police, aware of the potential for trouble, are keeping an eye on the protests. Deputy Donald Thompson rightly told Gazette reporter Tim McCarthy this week that as long as protesters follow the law, the police have no reason to become involved.
Time to lock in police chief's contract
Now that Somerville has chosen its new police chief — and it's not Haverhill Chief Alan DeNaro — the mayor should move swiftly to renegotiate the chief's contract to keep him here until DeNaro is ready for retirement.
The salary in Somerville is comparabe to the $170,000-plus that DeNaro now receives in Haverhill.
The chief has yet to reveal his reason for seeking the Somerville post, but we hope he is open to a contract extension to remain in Haverhil for the short-term future.
DeNaro has brought stability to the department and a level of professionalism not seen in many years there.
His performance is a reference point for changes sought for the city's fire department.
Somerville's decision is a good one for Haverhill. City leaders have to capitalize on it.
