The vaccine is coming! The vaccine is coming!
No, I’m not mocking Paul Revere although I say it with the same enthusiasm.
A few days ago, at a meeting about the pandemic, someone said it as if that’s the light at the end of the tunnel and I quickly reminded them that it is still a couple of months away. Lots of people will die waiting for it.
Yes, it’s great news that we finally have a vaccine in record time. The fight now begins with who’s going to get it first. While teachers insist they should be considered above first respondents, little is being said about the elderly, particularly those in nursing homes.
I’m going to stand in line and reserve a couple of vaccines to my address, in case it works.
No Christmas joy in Lawrence
When this mayor took over, the first thing he did was cut down the Christmas tree that had been planted between City Hall and the courthouse by the previous mayor. Some people thought it was political revenge but it was just a sign of things to come.
In the old days, we had the Santa Parade organized by Marie Gosselin but when it became too difficult to raise the necessary funding to cover the costs, she had to stop. No one tried to continue the tradition by picking up where she left off.
Year after year, the Christmas Season has been in losing importance in Lawrence. There has been no lighting downtown to signify the happiness of the season. This year is even worse because we are requirement to comply with masks and social distancing for our own good, but we need more than ever the hope and joy that Christmas can bring.
Take a look at what the City of Haverhill has done. There’s so much joy in that city! Check out Haverhill News or Jarvi Productions on Facebook with photos of decorated homes. It sure brings happiness!
Every year on the day after Thanksgiving, Santa came on a fire engine next to City Hall giving away presents and raffling bicycles. For years, City Attorney Charles Boddy played the role of the “big guy” surprising kids while speaking in Spanish to them. Dan stopped Charlie from doing something he loved picking someone else to do it.
It was almost as if there was a purpose for stopping the fun, the traditions and people having something to celebrate.
Any place you visit there are signs of the festivities. Lawrence appears to be dying.
Progress at the Oliver School
Many years have gone by since plans for the restoration of the Oliver School began and I must give you a summary of what has been going on so you can better understand the ending.
Estela Reyes was part of the Construction Committee before she ran for the City Council post she now holds. Knowing that the city will receive $45 million for the expansion, Ms. Reyes and members of her family purchased an abandoned building at 173-175 Haverhill St. next to the Oliver school and lots of land behind facing Oak St.
Years went by without paying taxes on the building until she was forced to make good on the $11,300 owed. Meanwhile, the fire department placed a red X on the building due to the dangerous conditions now that even the roof has collapsed, but no fire watch as they have done to so many homeowners charging them many thousands.
There have been several articles on the local press as well as Rumbo and I went as far as presuming that she would hold the property until construction was ready to start and sell the abandoned building and lots of land to a humongous profit. To my surprise, during the October 20th City council meeting, councilors decided to acquire the lots on Oak St. belonging to the city but Reyes’ building and lots were not mentioned.
I contacted District E Councilor David Abdoo and he simply responded, “I do not believe it is part of the Oliver School expansion site. Earlier this year, when briefed on the Oliver School alternatives at the Superintendent’s office, I do not recall that parcel being presented part of the properties assembled for the preferred site for the new Oliver,” he stated. I trust his answer but found it strange.
My intuition was confirmed during the City Council meeting of November 17. Councilor Reyes was absent that night but Councilor Maria De La Cruz, showing her obvious ignorance of the rules when all of a sudden she made a motion for the city to buy Councilor Reyes’ building and lots of land to add to the school.
She was quickly corrected that this issue was not being discussed and it will be a huge conflict of interest. Wow! Someone in the council recognizes that they have to be careful in how they will handle it.
Practically a brand new school for $45 million (maybe more) and that dangerous slum next door. I won’t be surprised if we have to pay her $1 million from taxpayers’ money.
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