To the editor:

Last week's Phoenix contained a letter to The Editor regarding the protection of women's reproductive rights, and while it focused on this issue at a statewide and national level, I feel it's crucial for this and other important issues to be addressed by local candidates at the town level.

For many years in the town of Bristol, voters have cast their ballots for candidates running for local office based on "feel good" issues, such as name recognition, membership in local civic organizations, and other similar reasons. However, in today's complex world, fighting for a woman's right to safe and legal abortion, insuring equal treatment for undocumented immigrants, and teaching our children to overcome systemic racism are far more important than how many times a candidate has marched in the 4th of July parade, the number of ribbon cutting ceremonies they've attended, or how many of their uncles or cousins held political office in the past.

And while some might argue that abortion rights, protecting the undocumented, and combating racism are of little interest on the local level, keep in mind the words of the late Speaker Of The House Tip O'Neill, who coined the phrase "all politics are local". Many political decisions made at the state and national level are based upon the political tone at the local level, and I encourage every Bristol voter to question their town council and school committee candidates on these issues and hold them accountable at the ballot box next month should they choose not to answer these very important questions.

Mike Proto
245 Chestnut St.