What Happens to Tax Money in Haverhill?

Tax receipts have risen dramatically over the last decade. But the city almost boarded up the public library and senior center last year because of money problems. And of course they are short again this year. The $68 million Hale Hospital debt doesn’t help. And those teachers’ salaries…but don’t other communities have teachers too? Things went out of control under exmayor Jim Rurak- who now claims it wasn’t his fault. But it happened on his watch while he city council rubber stamped almost everything he wanted.

The new Mayor, Jim Fiorentini, brings a desire to listen to and work with people. And he brings fresh ideas, one of which is
to restructure the Hale Hospital debt from a twenty to forty year payback. It will cost more money, but payments at the end are softened by decades of inflation. Haverhill desperately needs a Prop 21/2 override, but I predict the voters will not approve it. Not because they are miserly, mean-spirited or ignorant, but because they do not trust city hall.

**************************************

I have come to the conclusion that the cellphone is the most obnoxious invention of the twentieth century. As a college instructor, I am fed up with interruptions - even though students leave the class to take their calls. Next semester I am writing a “no cell phone” policy into my course syllabus. But it’s not just school. I am sure you have seen and heard the one-sided conversations of unsocialized morons in libraries, restaurants, supermarkets and theaters. You may have wondered about their far away, self-satisfied look as they receive calls with an air of pomp and inflated importance. (Is the cell phone a fetish for these people? A substitute for some unanswered need?)

You have seen their atrocious driving errors while they chat on America’s highways. But never have you seen what I saw last year. Driving in my truck with my sons on 495, we passed a guy in the right-hand lane talking animatedly, gesturing with a cell phone in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other- while driving with his knee and an elbow. Engrossed in conversation, he was barely looking at the road- as if it were a mere afterthought. Wherever this moron is, if he is still alive, I nominate him for the prestigious National Academy of Cell Phone Idiots. Please, please, think about what you do before you hurt yourself or someone else.

**************************************

Some say that politics is “no longer relevant” in today’s world. Or voting is a waste of time. These notions are going to be tested soon. A bill is currently creeping through congress to reestablish the draft. Those concerned about sexist language need not fret. The word “males” has been changed to “persons,” ensuring that women be called to serve their country. It includes everybody from 18 to 26- with nothing in there about college deferments - although kids can stay in high school until they are twenty. Check the bill out at http:// www.thomas.loc.gov and entering H163 or S89.

Naturally, they won’t mention the draft during an election year, but wait instead until summer 2005. It has been said that war is an unintended geography lesson. For some, it might be a civics lesson as well. markpalermo@lycos.com

Mark Palermo is a professor at Northern Essex Community College where he is vice president of the faculty union and coordinator of the Northern Essex Foreign Film Festival.

Send your questions comments to ValleyPatriot@aol.com
The Valley Patriot is a Monthly Publication. All Contents (C) 2004, Valley Patriot, Inc.
We distribute in Andover, North Andover, Methuen, Haverhill, Lowell and Lawrence.
To download this month's edition click here (May Edition)

Prior Columns
by Mark Palermo