Tribute to Veterans
We are very pleased to include several articles in this edition, honoring our veterans. I hope you take the time to read them because that is our simple way of saying “thanks” for their service and sacrifice. That includes their families.
For that reason, having so much material this week, we had to leave the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Luncheon, the Essex Art Center’s photography exhibit and the Wine Tasting to benefit the Theatre Group of Grace Episcopal Church for the next one.
Tassinari in Lawrence
We attended the meeting held at the Registry of Deeds with Michelle Tassinari to learn about the role of the Secretary of State Office on the upcoming elections.
The audience was mistaken for they were prepared to ask for resolution to local issues. Ms. Tassinari was very firm responding they were there only to clarify their obligations and the duties of the poll workers in case of witnessing any wrongdoings. We thought prudent to reproduce the information provided that evening and you can find it on page 10. Although the instructions in case of challenging a vote do not say that the warden can ask for identification, I asked Ms. Tassinari because if it’s not written there, chances are this might prevent wardens from asking.
Towards the end, it became a bit rowdy with people demanding answers from the State regarding the size of political signs.
General Donovan School
This building has been on the news lately. It was very timely but my comment has nothing to do with politics. I remember when former Mayor Michael Sullivan allow the use of the Saunders School on So. Broadway for storage of donated furnishings, until the city sold it and it was converted to apartments.
He then gave the school building as compensation for having taken away the previous one. Being larger, the community was promised that any group needing space would be welcome there instead of paying rent someplace else. The idea was that dance groups and theatre groups would be able to rehearse in their ample auditorium. It has not been done and we have non-profits renting space all over the city.
A good example of cooperation would be allowing Heal Lawrence to store donations for fire victims when they occur. Whenever there is a tragedy, Wayne Hayes has a big problem receiving and storing furniture until the families find an apartment to start again.
The residents of Lawrence are not running a social service agency and now, it has become “possession is 9/10 of the law” and the city wouldn’t be able to get it back. Time to start drafting a real contract outlining the city’s responsibilities.
Finally, it’s over!
I am so anxious to see this election period come to an end! These have been the worse, damaging, hateful, revengeful, elections I have seen. The lies, broken friendships, insults, attacks and defamation make it impossible to see those perpetrators in the same light.
The fanaticism I saw from different camps was unbelievable. They don’t realize that this is only politics and when we least expect it, the contenders will be working together in some other area – perhaps even supporting each other. The torn relationships will remain that way.
