Eagle-Tribune’s Racist Headline
Last week the Eagle-Tribune ran a headline above a local story about four candidates running for the Lawrence School Committee. The headline read: “Two Latinos to Run for School Committee” as though the only candidates in the race of any importance were the “Latinos.” Can you imagine a headline reading “Two Whites Seeking School Board Seat”? I think not. While I would expect this kind of blatantly racist headline from the likes of Siglo 21 or Rumbo, it was shocking to see it in a mainstream (conservative?) newspaper. This kind of headline has no place in legitimate media outlet. Until scuh media sources start treating the ethnicity of political candidates as irrelevant to the job they can do, race baiting and racial tensions in cities like Lawrence will never subside.   (Actual Tribune Story Here - Two Latinos Run for School Committee)

No Cell Phones At the Meeting!
Everywhere you go these days, from the movie theater to restaurants, signs remind you that cell phones and pagers must be turned off out of courtesy to others. Now, it might be time for North Andover Superintendent Harry Harutunian to hang such a sign outside the meeting room of North Andover High school where School Committee meetings are held. At the last meeting, while a member of the audience was questioning the committee about safety concerns at bus stops, Committee Chairman Dan Murphy’s cell phone began to ring...and ring....and ring. Murphy looked at his phone, walked away from the table to take the call. While I admit that most of the people who attend the School Committee meetings have nothing relevant to say, it was rather unprofessional for Mr. Murphy to leave the table while important business was being discussed. Well, at least the school department isn't picking up the tab for his cell phone bills. But we will be looking for that sign at the next meeting.  

Disrespect to President Reagan
President George W. Bush called for the American Flag to fly at half-mast for an entire month after President Reagan’s death. But apparently someone missed the memo at the Fenton Court House in Lawrence. Less than one week after Reagan’s funeral, the American flag was flying high at the Fenton Judicial Center. One would think that the people in charge of a courthouse would be sensitive to such a symbol of our nation and our freedom by lowering the flag during this time of remembrance for our former president.  

Reyes for Mayor?
Last year when Lawrence Mayor Mike Sullivan was posing for pictures and sending out letters endorsing City Council candidate Israel Reyes, we tried to warn the mayor that Reyes was not going to be the ally (in Lawrence that means puppet) he wanted him to be. Sullivan spent an inordinate amount of time helping Reyes raise money and convincing voters that Reyes would be a great new addition to his “team.”  

Lo and behold, as Reyes has only been in office for six months, Sullivan finds himself under attack by none other than City Councilor Reyes. Reyes recently questioned the propriety of the City of Lawrence doing business with Sovereign Bank where Mayor Sullivan’s brother is an executive. Reyes also rightfully exposed the fact that the City of Lawrence has not been paying it’s auto insurance bills for over three years. For his part, Reyes said he had promised to be a “puppet for no one” during the campaign and is only keeping his promise to the voters. Our money says it will be an interesting race for Mayor next year.  

Lights, Camera Action!
When Lawrence Mayor Michael Sullivan submitted his Community Development Block Grant Proposal to the Lawrence City Council, he omitted a request by local activist Billy Collins.   Collins, who volunteers countless hours every week to film local meetings and community events was asking for $1,200 for a video camera and equipment to continue providing public access on channel 8. After Sullivan made his pitch for the hand-picked list of recipients, Lawrence City Council president Patrick Blanchette urged his colleagues to fund Collin's request, which they did.  

Welcome to our new advertisers!
Normally I don't like to comment on our advertisers because it seems self serving. But, this month I am going to break from tradition as we distribute our fifth edition to local news stands.   We are flattered by the strong support we receive from the business community in the short amount of time we have been publishing. When patronizing our advertisers, please thank them for supporting free speech and helping us bring you news and opinions from around the valley and the world.   We at the The Valley Patriot are proud of our long term advertisers: Leo's Auto,  Merrimack Valley School of Hair Design, Tower Hill Variety, Donovan's Liquors, Richdales, J.J. McGuires, Alex's House of Pizza, Stephen Pantalone Financial Services, AMK Computer Repair and King Transportation.   I also want to personally welcome our newest advertisers; The Cell Phone Store on South Union Street, Community Partnerships for Children on Essex St., Gun & Sport North, on Broadway, Century 21 on Essex St., the Active Personnel Agency on Broadway and the Hee Bin Korean restaurant on S. Union St., all in Lawrence. Our policy has always been to patronize those businesses who patronize us. As a personal favor, I ask my readers to do the same.

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