On Monday, January 4th, we attended two important events held in the cities of Haverhill and Lawrence. Both events, covered in our pages, had to do with the inauguration and swearing of the elected candidates into their positions according to the results of the last election.
During the morning, Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini was sworn into office for the seventh time, this time, he ran unopposed. Then John A. Michitson was selected as President of the Council and Melinda E. Barrett as Vice President, both unanimously.
How different the evening event in Lawrence was! After the justified, pompous program, all councilors sat around a table to choose the President and Vice-President. Although the results were known for days, we all waited for the official count. Both the President and Vice President were voted 5-4. They left out the past President and Vice President.
Thereupon, we witnessed attitudes that gave us comfort. Everything seemed we were starting a new chapter in the history of politics in Lawrence. We saw the deposed president Maldonado reaching out to congratulate the newly inaugurated President Vasquez. We heard the words of Vice President Laplante acknowledging the work of the deposed president and vice president during their tenure.
Our peace lasted until the next day when we received President Vasquez subcommittee assignments which were discussed that night. In the Budget and Finance Committee he ratified his position along with Councilor Laplante and appointed himself to the Personnel Committee, ensuring his presence in the two most important committees.
It is worth mentioning that Councilors Vasquez, Laplante and Reyes were in charge of the subcommittee during the previous period, with Vasquez as chairman, neglected to act in time on a request for a supplemental budget destined to pay the salary of City Engineer Theodoro Rosario, who had been appointed by Mayor Rivera for the position even though he lacks the required credentials. With this inaction, Mayor Rivera automatically received the necessary funds to keep his friend in office.
Vasquez later presented a series of excuses for what happened, exempting himself from guilt.
In our opinion, he got his way, making a mockery out of the people, and with the above committee assignments he will continue at the service of Mayor Rivera.
