Battle for Fernald is far from over

THE GLOBE'S Oct. 17 editorial "A losing battle for Fernald" makes a number of unsubstantiated assertions about the Patrick administration's legal efforts to shut the Fernald Developmental Center. One is that there is little recourse left for the current residents. On the contrary, a number of legal avenues remain for the families and guardians seeking to keep Fernald open, including filing another federal lawsuit, a possible appeal to the Supreme Court, and legally prescribed appeals of individual transfers.

Also unsubstantiated was the statement in the editorial that the Patrick administration has shown a willingness to make the transition from Fernald "as painless and unrushed as possible." In fact, the administration has long been using coercive tactics to get people to move. It has started a series of disruptive layoffs at Fernald; it has stood by as a Fernald resident was transferred against her will; it has refused to negotiate a compromise with key stakeholders; and it is closing Fernald in the absence of a comprehensive plan for the entire Department of Mental Retardation system. All of this makes for a particularly painful and rushed process.

DAVID KASSEL
Waltham
The writer is a communications consultant with the Fernald League for the Retarded.