(Reprinted with permission from The Lowell Sun and translated by Dalia Diaz)
It’s time for Gov. Baker to resign
By John Macdonald |
June 28, 2020
Just how many failures can the people of Massachusetts endure from Gov. Charlie Baker?
Demanding the resignation of Francisco Urena, now the former Secretary of Veterans Services is the last straw in a series of bad moves from the governor. Baker accepted the resignation of Urena to cover up his appointment of a political friend at the Holyoke Soldiers Home, rather than a qualified person to lead the facility which resulted in over 100 deaths of aged veterans. He used Urena, a decorated American war hero as his scapegoat, to cover up the governor’s own poor judgment and inadequacies as an administrator.
The ultimate disgrace as a public official is to lay the blame for a scandal on someone who didn’t deserve to be blamed, such as Urena. Francisco is well known to veterans, especially in the Merrimack Valley, in particular Lawrence where he started his life’s ambition in service of his fellow veterans.
Urena, a Marine, Iraq War Veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, a man of impeccable character, honor and grace was used like a piece of toilet paper and discarded to protect the political career of an unworthy governor. Baker used Urena… and veterans in Massachusetts will never forget.
The governor has yet to show any real remorse for his absent leadership during the RMV scandal that resulted in the deaths of U.S. Marine veterans on their way to a charity event. He gave himself a pass on that.
Years ago, when it was candidate Baker, the candidate stood in front of hundreds of veterans at the Mottolo VFW Post in Revere and promised that he would build priority housing for veterans. He stood in front of the late Medal of Honor recipient Thomas J. Hudner Jr., and made a promise to stand by our veterans and to make them a priority. Baker has reneged on that promise and veterans in Massachusetts need to acknowledge and remember that.
Gov. Baker has mismanaged the COVID 19 recovery in the state, resulting in one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. He has singlehandedly forced most veterans’ clubs such as the American Legions and VFW’s to close permanently, and or consider it, because they can’t open for business. Veterans once again are taking the brunt from someone who never served the country in uniform. I guess as the adage goes; those who did not serve don’t know and those who don’t know, don’t care. It is an old expression that seems to fit Baker nicely.
Folks, there are no more excuses left for Baker. Once the most popular governor in the country has done little to prove to veterans, let alone the people of Massachusetts that he ever deserved the popularity he once enjoyed.
Bottom line, Baker through a series of bad decisions, poor judgement and empty promises has failed veterans in Massachusetts. He is failing the people of Massachusetts, unless of course you are a progressive liberal mayor waiting to potentially challenge Baker for governor in the next gubernatorial election.
Anyone can lead when times are good, but when times get tough, one’s true character shows and Baker’s character is weak at best. It is time for the people of Massachusetts to ask for the governor to resign. Sure, this maybe the first-time people may read such a request, but let it now be on permanent record.
Baker, through his impaired judgement, is a failure, and a political coward who should have stood up for American war hero Urena, rather than asking for his resignation.
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Statement from Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair Gus Bickford on Baker Administration Failings Outlined in Horrific Report on Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Tragedy.
“Today’s report reveals that there is plenty of blame to go around within the Baker administration for the tragedy that took place at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. This administration installed and left in place as Superintendent an individual that was not qualified and was looked upon with caution by one top Baker official. Over the four years the Superintendent was in place, multiple red flags were raised as to his suitability, yet the Baker administration did nothing. Who knows how many veterans would still be alive if the Baker administration demonstrated basic leadership and management skills.”
