From My Corner: December 23, 2024

Interruptions, disrespect, humiliation, and shame

Welcome to the City Council meetings! Just make sure your children are not watching because they will only learn to be nasty and offensive to people, particularly to city employees.  

Of course, it’s not all of them, but it becomes evident that some have not read anything about good manners, civility, decorum, or respect when dealing with others; we can watch any of the council or committees’ meetings and will always find some reflection of the things I mentioned, but last week’s meeting took the prize.

I don’t know what the problem between Council President Jeovanny Rodriguez and District F Councilor Marc Laplante is, but you could cut the tension and antagonism with a knife. Jeovanny is quite insulting to Marc.

Even before they started interviewing three employees to be appointed permanently to their positions, there was an ugly fight between them over opinion vs. fact while discussing receiving reports from departments quarterly or annually. Jeovanny spoke at length on the subject, and Marc told him that was his opinion. If he had wanted to speak about his opinion, he should have given the given to Vice President Stephany Infante.

Jeovanny belittled Marc, yelling at him and threatening to cut off his microphone. It was a very embarrassing moment.

They started interviewing the three employees in an “acting” capacity. They had been grilled during the Personnel Committee meeting the previous week. It happens that the city hires or promotes people knowing they don’t have the requirements for the job, hoping that after a few months of training, they get a good review and, thus, a permanent appointment.

The ordinance on file may say a bachelor’s degree is necessary, but the job posting is usually tailored to the person they want to hire and show a high school diploma as its only requirement. They use the tactic of hiring them as “acting” when they come to pass the torture of the city council; they may just stick to the ordinance’s requirements and not hire them.

None of the candidates had the required education or experience, yet they were appointed. Aida Santana, deputy director of DPW, did not have the education or five years of experience and will be earning between $100K and $145K plus the use of a take-home car. Stephany was the only one voting Present.

Awilda Pimentel, director of Community Development, did a very good presentation and had the blessings of the councilors. She was treated with respect and courtesy by the councilors.

But, when it came to Rosanna Delrosario, deputy director of DPW, the tension was palpable. District B councilor Wendy Luzón couldn’t pronounce her name correctly; she kept calling her Ms. “Rosario.” Rosanna’s command of the English language is excellent. Although she may not have a college degree, she is a certified and licensed dental assistant with a specific educational background. 

Rosanna also has four years studying medicine in the Dominican Republic, and this January, she will begin university courses to obtain her bachelors degree.

Having been the Recycling Coordinator for almost three years, she acquired lots of training and brought many grants to the city for her department. The day after that fateful meeting, the city received this notification: “The City of Lawrence has earned 11 points and will receive $44,000. Your municipality has also been awarded $250,000 in funding for a Waste Reduction Project for a Permanent Household Hazardous Waste Facility.” Rosanna applied for that grant six months ago.

Then District F councilor Marc Laplante explained why he was not going to give her his vote. There is an appearance of impropriety when married to District C Councilor Gregory Delrosario, as if she will give preferential treatment to residents in his districts. He added that her track record is foggy when she says she attends neighborhood meetings, and he claimed he saw her only once.

Council president Jeovanny Rodriguez picked up on that, stating that DPW shall show no preference in serving councilors. At this point, tears were noticeable in Rosanna’s face.

Although Wendy Luzón asked to give this person an opportunity, the vote was Ana Levy, Wendy Luzón and Celina Reyes (YES); Marc Laplante and Jeovanny Rodriguez (NO); Fidelina Santiago (abstain); Stephany Infante and Vivian Marmol (present).

The feeling that it was all political was, obviously, a disgusting display of selfishness and even revenge.

No one will hear me criticizing a council vote, whether a YES or NO. We voted them in those positions to vote their conscience, whichever way it may be, but voting “abstain” or “present” should not be acceptable. If you are there, you must be willing to give your opinion. After all, the three asked Rosanna many questions that qualified them to have an opinion and vote accordingly.

 

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