The City Council has become a circus!
Those who follow the City Council meetings are disgusted with the antics of its president. I have lost all respect for Kendrys Vasquez.
I used to think that Kendrys was the most knowledgeable of the City Charter among the Latino councilors but something dangerous has developed in recent months. He knows so much that he wants to justify misusing it.
During the November 7 meeting there were certain things that bothered me but, hey! What do I know? For example, he brought out of tabled the vote for Eileen Bernal for city attorney, again. The Council had already voted weeks ago and it was not in her favor. The local newspaper then said that she was considering withdrawing her application. Apparently, that did not happen because she was still a candidate for the position. This time, I didn’t understand under what rule it was brought up.
Marc Laplante and Brian DePeña were absent so, there were only seven councilors at the table. This time, the vote was four in favor and three against. The council president enthusiastically said “it passed” while the City Clerk said it hadn’t, thus entering into an argument with Mr. Maloney about being the majority of the council and the City Clerk explained that it should be 5 votes, according to the City Charter.
Kendrys was adamant insisting that it was a majority of councilors “present” and Mr. Maloney read from the document governing the city that it’s supposed to be majority votes in the entire council and two of them were absent.
It got to a point that the City Clerk pushed his chair back saying, “That’s my decision. If you disagree, get outside counsel.”
Still, Kendrys asked for a motion to override Rule 8 and again, Mr. Maloney said it could not be done because it would be breaking State Laws.
To that, Kendrys complained that he had asked for his advice and didn’t get the right answer. Obviously, he doesn’t know that the City Clerk does not offer advice; he only gives “information” in keeping with the City Charter and Federal and State laws to make sure the council abides by the law.
Naming a street to honor someone
We can expect another lengthy discussion at the next council meeting regarding changing the name of Chickering Road to Leonel Rondon, the teenager who died as a result of the gas explosion on September 13th.
As a parent, I have no idea how it feels losing a child at any age, particularly not having done anything wrong, just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. That’s why what I am about to say should be understood for its logic, leaving sentiments aside.
Changing the name of a street will involve many homes who will have to make serious adjustments in order to comply with the council’s idea, unless they plan to make it a purely ceremonial change like a portion of Broadway named Juan Pablo Duarte Boulevard.
What I consider to be most important is the effect this could have among residents who might lose respect any time a square is dedicated to a veteran or a ceremony for a distinguish individual takes place. Actions of that sort should be reserved for people who have made a great contribution to this community, the country or the world.
I don’t know how losing a child feels but decisions like this one should be carefully considered and reserved so its issuance can be appreciated, not demeaned.
Veterans’ celebration
Our editorial this week criticizes the poor attendance to the event held at South Lawrence East School on Monday but the real reason for the lack of participation was because it was not advertised and no one knew it was taking place.
We received an email with the details on Saturday at 9 o’clock in the morning. I didn’t see it posted on Facebook prior to that and it was not on the city’s website.
Jaime Melendez, the director of Veterans’ Services is not tied up with the gas issue or even the common traffic at City Hall since he is now located at the Senior Center. I have no idea why things cannot get done in that office – and this is only what the general public notices. I wonder what else must go on regarding services to veterans that don’t get done, either.
He should be embarrassed and get a factory job – perhaps a farm is a better place for him. He has no respect for the job he is supposed to be performing, the salary we provide him with and the respect for the city.
Better yet, blame the mayor for not asking him to be accountable.
