El-Hefni Open House
Northern Essex Community College will be having an open house on Saturday, April 5th from 10 to noon for anyone interested in visiting the Ibrahim El-Hefni Allied Health & Technology Center in Lawrence. This is an amazing facility with the most modern equipment for health-related professions and I recommend go see it because it is a very unusual type of college learning.
Changes on bus routes
On Tuesday, March 25, the MVRTA held the public audience regarding route changes beginning July 1st, 2014. Only 9 residents attended to find out details, offer suggestions or express concerns.
Rumbo was there to report on the 45-minute meeting, mainly to clarify if an apology to the mayor is in order. The only time we heard about this public audience was when we received the ad we published last week from the MVRTA.
I was told that Mayor had been calling other radio programs (except CrossOver) to promote the importance of such meeting. He also credited himself for that initiative which took me by surprise.
During the meeting, Mayor Rivera and Abel Vargas explained how the idea came about but, not happy with that, I asked Joe Costanzo privately and he confirmed that Mayor Rivera had called him to discuss the possibility.
Then, I approached Abel Vargas asking why had there not been any communication with the media prior to the occasion. He was very shy responding that he doesn’t want any credit, unable to understand that I was talking about his being part of the administration and they are not communicating to the public what they are doing. I criticized his predecessor for doing the very same thing.
Now, I have egg on my face for saying on Carmen Chalas’ show “Microfono Abierto” that it was an MVRTA project and the mayor had nothing to do with that.
Yes, an apology is in order but I hope it was a teaching moment for them, too. Just because you say to mean well, doesn’t justify working in a vacuum.
Remember that Rumbo was created to showcase all the positive aspects of the city. That is not equivalent to brushing wrongdoings under the rug. Our job is to keep the administration honest.
Among those changes…
The Marston Medical Building located at 25 Marston St. had been asking for a bus stop in front of their building to facilitate residents without automobile access to their services. Upon their insistence, the road construction was stopped for a while and the area was set up for the bus to pull in front of the building but the last they heard was from Patrick Blanchette several months ago.
Speaking of transparency
On April 1st, Theresa Park from Lowell will begin working as planning director in Lawrence, although she won’t be going before the Personnel Committee for two more weeks. This position was not advertised and other applicants did not have a chance to apply for the position requesting an interview because, as they said on the radio, she was chosen directly by Congresswoman Niki Tsongas.
Ms. Park even asked for a $20,000 stipend that the mayor agreed to give her. Her salary is $75,000.
Also going before the Personnel Committee in two weeks but with a starting date of April 24 is Brian Peña as Water Commissioner. Lots of people are happy because he is an engineer working with Woodard and Curran, the company operating the water plant and in charge of the repairs done to the water lines. I also believe that he was a good choice but, Latino or not, where is the equal opportunity for other qualified candidates who may have been interested in applying?
Apparently, the City Council has no other choice but to accept these nominations because Mayor Rivera said he wants it that way and he has veto power over them.
Rivera was a candidate who complained about corruption in hiring friends and promised transparency. Can anyone argue with that logic? Lots of people have their faith placed on Dan Rivera as a savior and are willing to overlook the things I bring to light. I say that the only way to keep his administration honest is talking about the good deeds without hiding his bad actions.
At this pace, I believe that the City Council is going to end up like the School Committee: A body with no power. I think we have elected a king!
Residency Requirement – again?
Perhaps the reason for rushing into hiring without going through the proper procedures is because the City Council is reconsidering the Residency Requirement as we used to have it. All current employees who do not reside in Lawrence will be “grandfathered” but any new ones will have to have a Lawrence address.
