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City Council Approves NECC
$20 Million College Expansion
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(LATINO NEWS THIS MEANS YOU!)
06/21/06

The Lawrence city council voted to approve Northern Essex Community College as the buyer of the city owned In-Town Mall last night by a vote of 7-2. Only Nilka Alvarez & Jorge Gonzalez voted againt Northern Essex Community College.

After being stalled in the Housing sub-committee last Monday night, Councilor Grisel Silva made a motion to suspend the council rules and put the issue in the hands of the full council at last night's meeting.

With a two thirds majority, Silva lead the charge to approve the purchase, which will result in the construction of a $20 million Northern Essex Health & Technology Center.

Both Councilors Silva & Nunzio DiMarca held up signs that read "Enough is Enough" protesting the accusation of racism and misinformation put forth by supporters of Benny Espaillat, the low bidder on the project.

At a five hour meeting of the Housing Committee Monday night, a small group of Latino speakers opposed the college and attacked Northern Essex as a racist institution. Former councilor Julia Silverio said that the only Latinos who work at the college were janitors and food service workers and the college would not benefit "Latinos". She and the small group who supported the low bidder (because he is Latino) then attacked mayor Sullivan, saying he recommended the college to prevent a "Latino" from getting the building.

That prompted dozens of members of the Latino community to come out in support of the college last night. More than a dozen spoke to the full council in favor of the college denouncing the tactics of used by those opposing the college plan.

Councilor Alvarez tried to call for a charter objection, which would have delayed all action and debate for two weeks (according to the city charter). But because Councilor Silva made a motion to declare the issue an emergency, Alvarez could not throw a monkey wrench into the process and delay the vote.

After the final (7-2) vote, college supporters celebrated with applause and a standing ovation for the councilors who supported the project.

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The June, 2006 Edition of the Valley Patriot
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