For several days we were looking for information about the celebration of Memorial Day in Lawrence, without success. We asked several department heads of the city as well as councilors. The answer was always the same, “We believe there will be something, but we do not know with certainty,” was their response.
The only one we did not ask was the director of the Veteran Services Department in the city. What for? After 22 years being the only local means of information he ignores us.
What a difference with the previous Veteran Services Director. A month before every event, we always had information related to Veterans, including printed propaganda for publication.
Continuing our search for information, we referred to the city portal Lawrence at Work, where at the top we find information about the raising of the multicolored flag of the Gay Pride, to be held on June 5.
The second line, was something that happened in March (two months ago), the Irish Heritage Month.
The third line was the mayor’s speech on the state of the city, 2018, which happened at the beginning of the year.
The fourth line was the promotion of police officers by Mayor Rivera, something that happened on August 1, 2017.
Then, everything changed. On May 30, 2018 the Portal was edited, eliminating Irish Heritage Month and the following was added:
- Neighbor’s Projects Get $ Grant Recipients Honored – Dated May 15th
- Mayor Rivera to Recognize New Officers – Dated February 27th –
- Lawrence Celebrates National Community Development – Week, April 2-6, 2018 and
- Police Chief Applicant Review – April 6th
One month after the Acting Chief of Police was selected as permanent chief, they tell us about the revision of applicants. Fantastic!
And, why all this? It’s simple! Neither before nor after the update of the portal, there is a mention about the celebration of Memorial Day, something unacceptable. Perhaps, having done so would have motivated more people to fulfill their civic duty, especially our elected officials.
