The Green dilemma
We are offering in this edition ample details about the situation with Police Officer William Green. He was fired by Mayor Daniel Rivera on December 8, only to realize that he made a mistake and called him back to work on January 10, but only to send him home again.
Julissa Núñez, someone who had been following his case was happy to see that he was going back to work and got together with a few friends to welcome him back in front of the police station. It was meant to be a symbol of appreciation from a resident who understands the unfairness of his situation. A few more people who knew that she planned to do joined her and about a dozen in total attended.
It turned into a confusing gathering when Officer Green exited the building accompanied by his attorney.
Among them was Pastor Victor Jarvis of Ebenezer Church. When he was Chairman of the Human Rights Commission he was my target quite often for not publicizing their meetings dates and times or having a cozy relationship with former Police Chief John J. Romero, which included giving him a plaque when he left the city.
Eventually, he became frustrated with the lack of services they were able to provide this community and non-support from the administration. When the case of Officer William Green became known and his discrimination on the job was made public, unable to do anything, he resigned from the Commission.
I want to personally congratulate Ms. Núñez for taking that initiative. She didn’t publicize it or made a lot of noise about her intention but it was a good indication that we need leaders in this city. When we find someone willing to step up and organize something like that, people respond. I can only imagine what would have happened if it had been announced a couple of days earlier on the radio.
It was a golden opportunity to stage a demonstration against the mayor and the police chief. Unless this community starts demanding to be treated with respect by our city officials (elected or not), we will continue being seen by the rest of the state in the negative light they do.
The time has come for us to demand obedience for the law and respect!
Cameras in public places
There is an article on page 10 with a petition from Franklie Caraballo urging the residents to request video cameras to be placed in parks and public places as a way to control the drug crisis and the illegal dumping that is drowning the city.
That piece shows the details of a previous request when cameras were purchased but the ordinance was later rescinded because there were complaints of invasion of privacy. Nevertheless, they popped up everywhere on roads, over traffic lights which goes to show you that there are ordinances that are never enforced and others that, although rescinded, are enacted.
Estela Reyes’ property
I will bring more information about Councilor Reyes’ property on 175 Haverhill St. next week It is scheduled to be demolished soon and she will be paying for that expense, not the city. Of course, she will then be able to sell that lot along with the one the mayor sold for $3,300 to her business partner behind the Oliver School when they are ready to begin the school’s renovations.
