Great changes at the YMCA
I have been serving on the Corporate Board at the Merrimack Valley YMCA since 1998 and am a huge fan of the work they do. I’ve seen lots of changes during that time particularly in the Lawrence Branch. Yes, the Andover/North Andover Branch is undergoing a $28 million renovation but our community of Lawrence has grown tremendously.
Going to the Lawrence Y is like going home for many. Its Executive Director Julian Villegas has made it that way attracting families, not just fitness fans. Unfortunately, Julian is leaving us. He received a job offer for a larger YMCA in San Diego, California (my favorite city in the entire country) and it was hard to resist. I love Julian for what he has done for the Lawrence Y and I am very happy for him.
Now, another bigger change that pleases me has occurred. After the resignation of Steven Ives this past summer moving to a better position at a larger in Columbus, Ohio, Gary Morelli has been permanently appointed as President/CEO and Frank Kenneally, former executive director of the Lawrence Branch, has been named Chief Operating Officer. I applaud the decision of the Transition Committee on a well-deserved selection.
The Merrimack Valley YMCA functions through the generosity of its board members, private contributions and membership dues and provides an enormous amount of services to members besides modern exercise equipment. In Lawrence, many services for children are free of charge such as the Adelante group, sports activities and the now famous Music Club House.
Do you see why I am such a big fan?
I don’t do well with threats
Mayor Dan Rivera called me last Saturday complaining that I wrote in my column about Linette Perez receiving a call from him offering her a position on a board. Ms. Perez was a candidate for District D City Council.
He said that I should have called him to confirm it after admitting it to be true. He then went on to say that he cannot allow me to “slander” him. Well, I can’t stop thinking about that word because, as I told him on the phone slander means lying and in this case, Linette said it and he admitted it so it’s true. I believe that he realized having made a mistake using that word and we went on to other topics.
I criticized his arrogance, which he egotistically denied. He disagreed with me regarding the radio interviews he did last week in Spanish. Rather than asking me why I thought it was a mistake and probably learning something from my ideas, the mayor just arrogantly insisted he did the right thing.
My concern was that he decided to do that on his own without asking for advice from the many people who surround him. He was ridiculed on both shows by being totally unprepared and availing himself to the type of telephone calls he received. I hear that he doesn’t listen to advice from anyone and doesn’t consult before making decisions for which he may be sorry later. I’m sure that I am not the only to recommend dumping Theodoro Rosario during the past year.
Now, getting back to his accusation of “slander” because I can’t get it out of my mind, if he was trying to intimidate me, he should remember that I don’t do well under threats.
The tree saga
The cutting of the pine tree located in Appleton Way between City Hall and the court house has created a big controversy and it could have been easily avoided if the mayor was a better communicator. Ooops! I’m criticizing him again but it’s my opinion, not slander. Had he sent out a press release announcing the plans from the movie producers to cut it down and replace it when they are done, I bet no one would have complained. The problem arose when unexpectedly, on a Friday afternoon, without even telling DPW personnel, he gave the order and they found out later.
The accusations began to surface on Spanish radio and it was only then that he announced the real reason for having done so. Too late.
Then, I wondered why the mayor’s office has not made more noise about this movie (really a few scenes, not a movie) being filmed in Lawrence as part of its economic development. You must remember that Ben Affleck originally came to Lawrence in May of 2013 and it was back then that sites were selected, extras interviewed and hired because period clothing had to be made according to their measurements. There was a picture published with former Economic Development Director Patrick Blanchette stepping out of the court house with Ben Affleck.
Do not be disappointed when you go see the movie in the theatre if you miss seeing Lawrence. It will probably be a few seconds and the scene may be unrecognizable. Remember: it’s not a movie, but just a few scenes.
Back to the tree issue. For years, the city was purchasing a pine tree at Christmas time which was then removed by city employees. To reduce that expense, then Mayor William Lantigua decided to plant a tree permanently and managed to get it donated to the city by Woodard & Curran, the engineering company from Andover in charge of the work being performed in the water and sewer system throughout the city.
I spoke to James Rivard of Woodard & Curran who told me that he is happy with the movie being filmed there because he welcomes anything that could be a sign of progress for Lawrence. He also explained that about a month earlier, DPW Director John Isensee told him of the plan to cut down the tree and replace it afterwards. That was the time when the mayor should have let the public know and avoid this turmoil that his lack of communication has caused.
Mayor Rivera used to have a half-hour radio program on WCCM-AM 1110 with Lou Blasi on Wednesdays at 12:30 and he hardly ever called the show. He depends exclusively on the Eagle-Tribune to spread his views. His radio program on Wednesdays on WCEC-AM 1490 in Spanish in a total waste with public service announcements although it’s called La Alcaldía Informa (the Mayor’s Office Informs). Nothing has been said about cutting the tree and the mayor is hardly ever there.
Mayor Rivera believes he is doing the right thing and he expects everyone to go along. If that is not arrogance, I don’t know what it is.
Political signs
The city ordinances say that political signs should be removed 30 days after Election Day. Let’s wait and see how they fare this year.
