From My Corner: November 22, 2017

Lawrence: Santuary City for Sex Predators

In the midst of sex-related scandals all over the country involving government officials, industry and media personalities, we have learned how modern society is dealing with the problem. We no longer have to stand for disrespect in the workplace because it will not be tolerated. Women have been empowered by these revelations and in the process we became aware that sexual harassment affects men also.

The news that Theodoro Rosario is back at City Hall and working for DPW is appalling. Mayor Rivera announced on Friday that he picked him, no questions asked, no posting, no other candidates, no protests from anyone – just hand-picked! He later said that his record is clean and I would like to remind him how wrong he is.

Justo Garcia was accused of stealing money from the parking garage and Greg Arvanitis was accused of sexual harassment by the wife of El Cesar Lounge. They went through a trial and were found innocent. That’s a clean record, Mr. Mayor! Still, they were fired from their jobs.

Theodoro Rosario was arrested in a motel room with a homeless man that he tried to bribe in exchange for sex. The man called police and Theodoro was arrested at the motel. Mayor Rivera kept it quiet for about eight months until it became public and he tried to downplay it. Eventually, they went to trial and the only reason for Theodoro to be able to run around free is because the accuser did not show up. Think whatever you want; I’m not speculating as to the reasons for not appearing in court.

If he had any respect left for himself and his family, he would have moved far away from here. This shameless individual was instrumental in getting the mayor reelected working heavily in his campaign and now is facing City Hall employees as if nothing has happened.

That doesn’t say much for Mayor Rivera’s morals, either.

He will be working under the supervision of City Engineer Milagros Puello. How long is that relationship going to last? Working for a real civil engineer, much younger and a woman, he will make her life so miserable that Milagros will quit and Theodoro will recover his previous title. The City Council will not say a word and rubber stamp it. We are heading to four years of HELL and this is only the beginning.

A note about hypocrisy: I wonder what Vilma Dominguez Martinez and Wendy Luzon think about having a sexual predator working among them. After all, these ladies made it a career at the YWCA protecting and defending victims of abuse. Perhaps they will say that this is different because he preys on men. I’d say their salary justifies their silence.

Also hired…

We know that the mayor treats the Department of Public Works as a dumping ground and Rivera’s campaign manager Daniel Mackland Rivera will become Working Foreman – Tradesperson under Building and Facilities Public Properties. The job description calls for at least five years’ experience, and skilled in the carpentry trade as well as knowledge of electrical and plumbing skills and state and local codes.

He is currently employed by Harvey Building Products in Waltham as Senior Pricing & Technical Service but qualifications are not important to work at DPW.

Also, Diana Vasquez will become Special Assistant to the Mayor. She was Development Coordinator at Esperanza Academy while very active in the mayoral campaign. I don’t know what she did but Rivera was paying her $1,000 each month as “consultant.”

Thank you to my readers

Last week I mentioned irregularities during the elections and asked my readers if they could share some of their experiences with me. Well, I learned about a new way to cheat.

Please continue sharing stories with me. I protect my sources but the information is vital.

Ready for the next election?

I have not recovered from this one and I see the markings for 2018 being another atrocious year.

They are playing musical chairs at the local, state and federal levels. Juana Matías hasn’t gotten her feet wet and she wants to move up. Pavel Payano has not been sworn in as a city councilor and has announced that he’ll be a candidate for State Senate (again) having lost to Barbara L’Italien who believes she can replace Niki Tsongas in Congress, just like Matías aspires to.

I don’t think that just for being in the State House or even in Washington, they can represent our interests any better. We are going through a serious situation with the closing of the radio station on November 6 and 7, just in time for the Municipal Elections and they have not said a word on that subject.

We have no leadership!

I tried asking our state delegation (Representatives, Juana Matías, Frank Moran and Diana DiZoglio and State Senator Barbara L’Italien) for their opinion on that censorship and they sent me a combined statement that was senseless. I want to hear how our political leaders really represent us individually. This has been the most serious violation of First Amendment rights towards our community and they all are avoiding facing it.

Let’s hope that radio producers remember their lack of response next year when they all come around using their programs while looking for votes.