From My Corner: November 8, 2014

Hatred prevails

This week was demonstrated that the elections were decided based on hatred.  There was so much disgust towards William Lantigua that some people would have voted for the devil himself if he were on the ballot.

It wasn’t that Marcos Devers was the best candidate; it was that his opponent had too much baggage – some real, most created by the media.

The media was relentless in reports about the Lenny Degnan, Melix Bonilla and Justo Garcia cases reminding the readers their connection with the former mayor; while Lantigua has not been accused of any wrongdoings.

And then, there was the public.  I have never seen such array of disrespect from common citizens towards others.  The insults spewed like venom on the radio has weakened the standing of our community by anyone witnessing such disregard for human decency believing that we are just an untamed tribe.

Most of them do not understand the role of a newspaper (no matter how small or frequent) and we have been victims of that vilification.  With each administration during the past 18 years, we were accused of favoring the mayor just for publishing his or her picture or covering an event being held.  Obviously, they don’t read because we try to balance opinions – at least, my column has earned me enough criticisms from the people featured.

Case and point: A couple of Saturdays ago, while having coffee with Nunzio DiMarca at Heav’enly Donuts in Methuen, I was verbally assaulted by someone who approached our table, asking what I am going to do about Willie’s signs.  He is an independent candidate yet, has the D on his political signs.  I simply told him that I am not part of his campaign; that he should tell them or call the party to complain.

The restaurant was full as each Saturday morning.  He went on and on screaming and accusing me of being Willie’s friend as my reason for not doing anything about it.  Was I deserving of that public insult?

The media also has been very selective in choosing what to publish about Devers, protecting his seat.  Yes, they revealed that he received a travel stipend for 46 days in 2013 after a reporter from the State House wrote about it and which opened a Pandora ’s Box.  Devers’ defense was actually funny.  He countered that when Lantigua was state representative he went to work on holidays and after July 31st that it is when the legislative sessions ended.

So, that means that there was nothing to do at the State House for the next two months?  He has no clue as to what the job of a legislator is because he’s hardly ever there.  In addition, he lies.  After the issue of the 46 days worked in 2013 came up, he requested an additional 25 days’ pay for that same year which he gave away $5 at a time among the elderly.  He had claimed that he was trying to save the state money by not asking for all the days he worked in 2013.  Take a look at the chart on this page and you will see that the additional 25 days came from his attendance from January through August of this year.  Thus far this year he has gone to the State House 42 days only.

Be prepared to hear him say that this is not true.  For years, he has accused me on the radio of not being truthful.  Well, can you argue against documents issued by the Treasurer’s Office explaining his attendance to his job?  Anyone can find the same information, including the big newspapers.

On Friday, October 31^st State Representative Devers was asked what plans he has for the upcoming term or any new laws he would like to champion.  He rambled on and on beginning with the Pilgrims and said that all the laws have been created and we just have to tweak them or modify them.  If he spends more time doing his job, he would know more about our needs.

Let me correct myself: That’s not funny; it’s disgusting!

Also, the hypocrisy of some people, including Devers, vilifying the Republican Party during these elections on Spanish radio as the poison that will destroy the country and the reason for voting democratic but last week, Mr. Devers’ campaign mailed a flyer to Republicans only with pictures of Michael Sullivan and Marc Laplante supporting him for reelection.

When District E Councilor Eileen O’Connor Bernal taped a radio commercial in support of Devers saying that he’s been good for the city and brought a lot of money, I asked her to give me that list and she just told me to ask Devers for it.  She also sent me to Mark Iannello, the budget and finance director.  His answer was that he had no idea if he was involved in any of the monies coming into the city.  Again, these politicians were willing to lie and do whatever was necessary to prevent Lantigua from being elected.  Hatred was more powerful than logic.