We have awakened from a nightmare to realize that it was not a dream, but a reality. A reality so chilling, that those who survive do not know yet how happy we are because we have been able to help those who have suffered the loss of a loved one, of a property acquired on the basis of sacrifice.
We were out of town when, on the car radio, we heard of multiple fires in the south of Lawrence area, North Andover and Andover. As we approached, selfishly we breathed easy to see that our house was not one of those that were on fire, but it broke our hearts to see that some of our neighbors had lost everything.
In the days that we are living, the first thing that came to mind was terrorism. Terrorism in Lawrence? The idea was chilling, but more chilling was knowing the truth. Natural gas leaks were the cause of explosions and fires. What would be next and where?
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency reported that the fires started due to excessive pressure on the gas lines. We are not experts in the field, like thousands of others in the city, so we think immediately, if so, the explosions will continue. To avoid this, the gas was shut off, but as there was still gas in the pipes, they cut off the electricity followed by a warning: leave your homes, get out of South Lawrence. Go north!
Since we do not use gas in our house and we also have cats, we decided to stay, after all, they are our babies, we will never abandon them to their fate, and we prefer to die with them. When the electricity was cut off, we were isolated from receiving news; we only maintained communication through cell phones and listened to the car radio. We could leave South Lawrence, but we were forbidden to return. It was three long days of confinement!
While Columbia Gas worked to reduce pressure on the lines after the fires, it announced that it would make improvements to the gas lines in neighborhoods across the state, including the area where the explosions occurred. It has been reported that replacing Lawrence’s 760 miles of pipeline, considered the third oldest in the country, will take no less than two years.
Why now? We asked ourselves, did this tragedy have to happen so that Columbia Gas decided to change the gas pipes?
We believe that the answer is found in Howie Carr’s article, published in the Boston Herald on Sunday, October 16, entitled “Governor Baker and the Mayor of Lawrence Rivera Criticize Columbia Gas despite Political Contributions”.
In his article, Mr. Carr, using figures obtained from OCPF, notes contributions from Columbia Gas and NiSource Inc. PAC, the company’s political action committee have made contributions worth $92,192.00 to countless political campaigns, including Governor Charlie Baker and the Mayor of Lawrence, Daniel Rivera. The first received $ 1,200.00 and the second $500.00.
Is this the reason why they are now so satisfied with the $10 million offer made by the President of Columbia Gas?
The city, miraculously, only lost a life that cannot be replaced by money. Thousands of people who use gas in their homes, and businesses to cook and heat their houses obviously do not have it, knowing that the harsh winter is just around the corner, it’s time to speak clearly, leave the opportunities to look good in the photos thinking about re-election.
If they are going to change the pipes, the works should have started NOW, the lives of hundreds of residents are in danger. Do not waste any more time!
