LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Appalled Framingham Democratic Chair Suggests To Abort Life of Special Needs Child To Save School Budget

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FRAMINGHAM – Mike Hugo recently spoke in front of the Framingham City Councilors and said, “Our fear is that if an unqualified sonographer misdiagnoses a heart defect, an organ defect, spina bifida, that becomes a very local issue because our school budget will have to absorb the cost of a child in special education, supplying lots and lots of special services to children, who were born with the defect. So, it’s our hope that the Council tonight will pass this ordinance, and by doing so perhaps one of the businesses that might be looking at coming to Framingham, will look at Framingham and decide, well, we better just keep driving and look for a different town or a different city.”  

So, abort the life of special needs children to save the school budget? These words from a man who is the Director of Policy and Government Affairs for the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards and the Chair of the Framingham Democratic Town Committee. How is this possible? Where is the outrage? 

Kudos to City Councilors John Stefanini, George King and Mike Cannon for condemning such hate speech.

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It was also refreshing to see State Rep. and Framingham School Committee Chair Priscilla Sousa calling out these heinous comments

What is the stance of the MAHB is on his statements? Even more shocking, his spouse sits on the board of the Framingham School committee. No public statement from her, as of yet.

I am a former Chair of a local Board of Health and a proud father of an adult child on the Autism Spectrum. I am appalled at Mr. Hugos’ statement! 

How could such a well-educated person, say something so insensitive?  I extend an open invitation to Mr. Hugo to join me one day as I work throughout the MetroWest area of Massachusetts and meet, greet and assist individuals with special needs and witness the vital role and value those with special needs add to our everyday lives, families, businesses, and schools.

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To be this ignorant, takes skill. What’s worse, having no common sense or no heart? It appears, Mr. Hugo has neither. Being disbarred and being a hater, is no way to go through life. 

We are all lucky to live in the United States of America … where we are free to make an ass out of ourselves. Mr. Hugo certainly did that.

Jon Fetherston

Ashland

President  of Charles River Rotary Club

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