BY ALBERTO SURÍS
Rumbo News

As in years past, area Dominicans gathered around their General Consul and elected officers, across Lawrence City Hall to raise their flag in celebration of the 166 years of independence from Haiti, on February 27, 1844.

"We are making history in Lawrence again," said Dominican General Consul Dominico Cabral. "For the first time in the United States, a Dominican consul raises a flag with a Mayor of Dominican origin," said the consul. Cabral requested from the mayor and the councilors to consider naming any new school built in Lawrence after the Mirabal Sisters.

Lawrence Mayor, William Lantigua, delivered a proclamation to Dominican General Consul Dominico Cabral. Also pictured are Lawrence Police Deputy Chief Melix Bonilla; Council President Frank Moran, Mary Rivas, and Vice-consuls Frank Tejeda and Domingo Mejia and others.

The Mirabals, Patria, Minerva and María Teresa were three sisters who lost their lives for opposing Rafael Leónidas Trujillo's bloody dictatorship. They are adored by all Dominicans and the province where they were born, today bears their name.

Council President Frank Moran, reading from a written statement in both English and Spanish, said that last year at the flag raising event, he said to be the only councilor of Dominican origin.

"It seems that the electorate got the message and today we are 5 plus the mayor."

Morán, who took up twice the time used by any other speaker including the mayor, said that today there are 40 Dominicans serving across the country in different positions. "Soon we will have our own Senator," ended Moran.

Lawrence Mayor William Lantigua expressed his appreciation to this great country for the opportunity every immigrant has and proposed to have the Dominican flag raised on February 1st and have it on all month to honor the mother country. "Of course, we have to allow any other nationality who celebrates their independence to raised their flag too," said Lantigua.

Besides Council President Frank Moran, Councilors Daniel Rivera, Modesto Maldonado and Oneida Aquino were in attendance. Also, Mayor Lantigua's Chief of Staff Lenny Degnan and Lantigua's secretary Maria Cruz enjoyed the ceremony.

The observance closed with a prayer by Father Joel Almono. At the end, everybody was invited to Casa Dominicana for ginger tea and arepas, typical Dominican refreshments.

Filed 4 de Marzo, 2010 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

BY ALBERTO SURÍS
Rumbo News

LAWRENCE -- A group of members of the Merrimack Valley Project (MVP) traveled to Boston on Wednesday, February 3, to demand a meeting with Wells Fargo Bank officials and call for fair mortgage modifications and stop to all evictions in the Valley.

MVP is an organization formed by clergy, lay and union leaders of 30 churches and community organizations of the Merrimack Valley representing 15,000 people. 

After a brief prayer at Ebenezer Church, members of the Merrimack Valley Project get ready to board the bus for their trip to Boston.

The delegation included current homeowners who have Wells Fargo mortgages and are having difficulty getting a fair modification, tenants and former owners in foreclosed properties who are trying to stay in their homes and their allies from across the valley.

The three key talking points were: 1- MVP demands a face to face meeting with decision makers from Wells Fargo Bank. 2- MVP demands that Wells Fargo Bank stops all evictions in Lawrence, Lowell and the Merrimack Valley now! 3- MVP demands that Wells Fargo negotiates mortgage modifications to the real market value for our homeowners.

"They did not talk to us," said Dorothy Morgan, a resident of the Mount Vernon area traveling with the group. "Instead, they stopped us in the lobby and told us to leave or that we would be arrested for trespassing," she said.

Twelve years ago, Morgan and her husband bought their single home with a Wells Fargo mortgage. Lately, her husband has been in and out of work, they got behind in their payments and now their home is being foreclosed.

Morgan said that after spending long hours on the phone and sending them a package of information about their situation, they negotiated a reduction in their monthly installments. "Instead of $1,850 we paid $1,213 for six months," she said. "In December, at the end of the grace period, they requested a 'balloon payment' of $32,000 which we don't have," she said.

"Wells Fargo Bank, after receiving billions in taxpayer bailouts is evicting hard working homeowners and tenants from their homes," expressed Rosemarie Buxton, president of MVP and leader from Christ Church in Andover. "We demand that the bank come to the table, stop these evictions and negotiate fair mortgages with principal reductions for our tenants and homeowners now."

When she went to Boston, Morgan said that she carried a package of information requested by Wells Fargo with the hope to deliver it personally and be able to talk to some officers.

"This was the third package since they rejected the second one with the argument that my husband had found a job, but they don't want to understand that we still have other bills that we haven't been able to pay."

"If Wells Fargo forces us out of the house, they will have to sell the house for its real market value, which is less than our mortgage. What we want is to renegotiate the mortgage so we can stay in the house," said Morgan.

"We will not stand by while a large national corporation tries to evict hard working families who are offering to pay rent," said Rev. Victor Jarvis, Vice- President of the Merrimack Valley Project and pastor of Ebenezer Christian Church in Lawrence. "We are not asking for a bailout, we are asking for justice."

"I felt so supported by MVP," ended Morgan.

Filed 9 de Febrero, 2010 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

BY ALBERTO SURÍS & DALIA DÍAZ
rumbonews.com

Several hundred people filled the first floor of Lawrence City Hall, with many watching from the upper floors the swear-in ceremony of Melix Bonilla, the first Latino to become Lawrence Acting Deputy Chief.

"It is with great honor that I promote Sgt. Melix Bonilla to the position of Acting Deputy Chief. Though this promotion took effect on Friday January 8th, today (January 15th) is an opportunity to have many more residents of our community witness such a historic promotion," said Lawrence Mayor William Lantigua.

Lydia is all smiles while her husband, the new Acting Deputy Chief addresses the crowd. Pictured at center is Lawrence Mayor William Lantigua.

Bonilla was accompanied by his wife Lydia, and three of their children, Melix Jr., Jamel, Maria and two grandchildren, Jhared and Aiden.

"I'm a people's person. I belong to the city," said Bonilla during his brief speech. Bonilla said that people come to the station to see him about immigration and that he has been invited to quinceañeras. He said that Chief Romero knows all of these and wants him to be involved with the community.

Melix Bonilla was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and came to the United States in 1978 at the young age of thirteen. Melix put himself through high school in Lawrence earning later a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Springfield College.

In 1986, Melix worked as a teacher's aid for the Lawrence School Department and shortly thereafter began his career in Law Enforcement in 1987 with Lawrence Housing Authority, serving as a Police Officer.

In 1989, Melix was hired by the Lawrence Police Department and his many assignments have included but are not limited to the patrol division, member of the first community police unit, school resource officer, and a coordinator of the DARE program for the Lawrence Public Schools.

In 1999, Melix was promoted to the position of Sergeant and assigned to the patrol division. In 2002, Chief John Romero assigned Melix Bonilla to head up the newly formed Hackney Division of the Lawrence Police Department. As supervisor of the Hackney Division, Melix Bonilla was responsible for revamping and reorganizing the alternative transportation system for the entire city.

After much research and review, Melix re-wrote the Lawrence Municipal Code regarding taxis and liveries and established a Medallion Program city-wide.

Melix worked closely with the Lawrence City Council Ordinance Committee, business owners, and the community at- large to bring about much needed changes to our taxi/livery program operating in the City of Lawrence. Most recently, Melix Bonilla received accolades from the outgoing Lawrence City Council regarding his due diligence and professionalism in this Medallion Program.

Under the leadership and supervision of Melix Bonilla, this industry is now in complete compliance with city ordinance and the laws and regulations of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

"As you can see by his background both in education and experience, Melix Bonilla has earned the position of Acting Deputy Chief and today is a great day for the City of Lawrence as Melix will work hand in hand with all residents of our city in an effort to have better relations between our men and women in uniform and our everyday citizenry," said Mayor Lantigua.

"I'm a proud owner of a small house in Tower Hill were we live. I work in Lawrence and I spend my money here, and I will protect the civil rights of the citizens of this city that I love so much," ended Bonilla.

Bonilla has been appointed as Acting (Deputy Chief) for the next 90 days. According to the City Charter, He will have to appear before the city council to be named permanently.

Filed 28 de Enero, 2010 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

By Alberto Suris 

LOWELL -- On Monday, January 11, elected officials, community leaders, census partners, and 2010 Census staff officially opened a new Local 2010 Census Office in Lowell.

U.S. Representative Niki Tsongas of the 5th District of Massachusetts, City Councilor and Vice Mayor of Lowell Kevin Broderick joined U. S. Census Bureau Assistant Regional Census Manager Cesar Monzon and local government officials and community leaders to launch the next phase of census activities in Acton, Andover, Ashby, Bedford, Billerica, Boxborough, Burlington, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Dracut, Dunstable, Framingham, Groton, Haverhill, Hudson, Lawrence, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Lowell, Maynard, Methuen, North Andover, Pepperell, Stow, Sudbury, Tewksbury, Townsend, Tyngsborough, Wayland, Westford, and Wilmington.

Speakers encouraged every person living in the area to promote, support, and participate in the 2010 Census.

U.S. Representative Tsongas said, "The Census gives us a sense, every 10 years, of who we are as a nation. For us to receive that which is our due, we need to be counted."

Vice Mayor Kevin Broderick said, "It is critical for us to get a good count to maintain the seats of our representatives. In Lowell, we are getting the word out and we are going to continue to help the Census effort."

Lowell Local Census Office Manager Richard Liguori emphasized the importance of local partners: "The successful Grand Opening of the Lowell Census Office surpassed our expectations and the support of our local partners will be a significant factor in getting a complete count done in the coming months."

"The census is easy, important and safe", said Assistant Regional Census Manager Cesar Monzon. "It's easy because it's only 10 questions. It's important because we can't move forward until you mail it back and it's safe because everything we do is confidential."

"The Constitution says that the Census have to be done every 10 years" said Congresswoman Tsongas, who added that by going on-line she was able to know how, 100 hundred years ago, her ancestors came to this country from Germany and moved around, "but the data collected in this census will be kept confidential for 72 years," ended the Congresswoman.

The new office will handle the 2010 Census preparations and is currently hiring temporary workers to conduct Census activities throughout the area. The Lowell Local Census Office is located at 836 North St., Business Center Park, BLDG 400, Suite 202, Tewksbury, MA 01876.

For census jobs, apply now by calling toll-free 1-866-861-2010. FedRelay: 1-800- 877-8339 TTY or www.2010censusjobs. gov.

Filed 19 de Enero, 2010 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

During his inaugural speech, our newly elected Mayor of Lawrence, William Lantigua said that he received a mandate from the citizens of Lawrence to address and fix our economic problems and that he has accepted that responsibility.

"I did it my way. We did it our way," said Lantigua while the music played Frank Sinatra's famous song.

He conceded that to fix our problems will require strong fiscal discipline, tough decisions, consolidating departments, and renegotiating contracts and that he was ready to lead in that effort.

The next morning, his first day at work, Lantigua and his team made good on what he meant in his speech by terminating some department heads while consolidating their departments. And more are coming!

Nobody wants to see people losing their jobs, especially in this economy but reality is that the city, has to be run as a business and when business is slow, the CEO (in this case the mayor) has to make extremely hard decisions.

For a long time we have been calling on the former administration that in order to balance the budget, the solution was not in raising taxes but controlling expenditures.
The truth now is that mismanagement went on for so long, that controlling expenses won't solve the problem by itself and we may end up paying higher taxes anyway.

That is what we inherited from our old administration!

Filed 8 de Enero, 2010 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

BY ALBERTO SURÍS

Praxides Medina is a manager at the Day Break Shelter, located at 19 Winter St., in Lawrence "and a full time mother," she said.

On December 3, 2009, around 9:00PM, Medina observed Jeremy Drolet, a guest at the shelter, smoking in the dining room area in violation of the shelter's strict rules. "If guests want to smoke, they know they must do it outside or face disciplinary consequences," said Medina.

Medina confronted Drolet and told him that he was "suspended and had to leave". According to Medina, Drolet did not show any sign of emotion when she told him that he was suspended for 30 days.

"He finished his cigarette outside and came back with the excuse of using the telephone to find a place to stay."

Praxides Medina holding the official citation she received from Lawrence Mayor Michael J. Sullivan commending her for dedication to her job.

While on the phone, Medina overheard Drolet saying, "I'm going to change these rules." She asked him how he planned to change the rules. "When somebody dies," was his response.

"He spent about 20 minutes on the phone, but I don't think he called any one," said Medina who recalled him as saying, "I'm going to buy 2 gallons of gasoline to sniff and get high."

At 9:45 PM, last call to go outside and have a cigarette before closing the shelter's doors and shut off the lights, most people were already in bed and sleeping but Drolet was still there, recalled Medina.

Around 10:00 PM, during Medina's last inspection of the premises, she went out to take a look at the porch to make sure that no guests were left out when she closed the door, and smelled a strong odor of gasoline and noticed Drolet with a gasoline can in his hands. "Then I called 911," she said.

"Most guests were awaken by the strong smell of gasoline and when Police and Fire Department arrived, they found that the back of the shelter and the ground was soaked with gasoline," said Medina and added, "the good part is that he never had a chance to light the gasoline."

"We have not seen Drolet since; all I know is that I have to go to court on December 30 on this case."

Her action avoided a tragedy and potential loss of life.

Filed 24 de Diciembre, 2009 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

LOWELL, MASS -- Local leaders from business, labor and community organizations joined at Middlesex Community College on Friday, November 13, 2009, in Lowell, to promote the state's new "Learn at Work" fund.

Initially budgeted at $1.4 million, this dedicated fund offers grants to businesses and educational providers that together offer workplace classes in ABE (Adult Basic Education) and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages).

Organized by Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition, The "Learn at Work" fund is one of the major policy goals for the English Works Campaign, a coalition of immigrant, business, labor, community and civic leaders and organizations working to increase opportunities for English learning .

The Campaign came to the Merrimack valley to encourage area businesses and community organizations to use the fund, which will not only ease English-class waiting lists -- lists that today include roughly 17,0000 names across the state-- but will also strengthen the region's workforce.

Fred Carberry, Executive Director of the Merrimack Valley Workforce Investment Board, commented on the lack of English classes in the Commonwealth. "Nearly one third of the state's workforce lacks adequate literacy skills to perform their jobs effectively and to provide an opportunity for career advancement," he said. "In today's economy, innovative steps must be taken to correct this situation."

Carberry highlighted the fund's benefits, saying that it "provides employers with the opportunity to collaborate with adult literacy training providers in bringing these much needed skills to their workers. This is a win-win for the workers and employers of the Commonwealth."

Joseph Bevilacqua, President of the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce echoed Carberry's remarks: "As President of the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce, I strongly urge business leaders to take advantage of this program to assist their employees in learning English and benefit the communities of the Merrimack Valley as well."

The new fund combines $1 million from Massachusetts' Executive Office of Workforce and Labor Development (EWOLD) and an additional $400,000 from the state's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to offer a five- percent increase in current levels of ABE/ ESOL funding.

The money will be awarded in grants of up to $225,000 over three years, as administered by the Commonwealth Corporation (the application is available through the Corporation website, http:// www.commcorp.org).

Claudia Green, Director of Workforce Development and English for New Bostonians at the MIRA Coalition, the organization leading the English Works Campaign, said: "We are pleased that the state is making it easier for businesses to come to the table to address their own needs and the huge need for English language classes in Massachusetts. And most of all, we are pleased the state is making it easier for immigrant workers to take an English class at work. This is a shared investment, and a mutual opportunity."

The English Works Campaign is a unique coalition of community, labor, business, and civic leaders, working together to provide all residents in Mass. with a pathway to self-sufficiency, ensure a stable, skilled workforce, and integrate immigrants into the fabric of our economy, community, and civic life.

The English Works Campaign is led statewide by the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition and locally by the English for New Bostonians Initiative.

Filed 27 de Noviembre, 2009 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

By ALBERTO SURÍS

LAWRENCE, MA -- On Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009, State Representative William Lantigua made history when he became the first immigrant from Latin America to be elected to the position of Mayor of Lawrence and the first in the State of Massachusetts.

In a heated contest, Representative Lantigua defeated David Abdoo by more than a 1,000 votes. On Election night, Lawrence City Hall never saw so many people filling the three floors prompting the Mayor Elect to cut short interviews in the name of safety.

Lantigua was born in Villa Consuelo, a neighborhood in the City of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on February 19, 1955.

While working at Schneider Electric (formerly Modicom) in North Andover, he became a familiar face at all Lawrence City Council meetings by showing up branding a sign with his telephone number, asking anybody with a problem to call him. "Since then, I haven't stopped helping people as often as I could," he said.

Lantigua was first elected to represent District 16, back in 2003. Since, every other year he battled long-time opponent and today his ally, Engineer Marcos Devers.

Last Sunday, Rumbo had the opportunity to sit with the newly-elected Mayor of Lawrence and hear from him what some of his future plans are...

Finish reading Historic Election in Lawrence

Filed 16 de Noviembre, 2009 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

BY ALBERTO SURÍS

LAWRENCE, MA--Clergy and lay leaders from the Merrimack Valley Project conducted a rally in front of Ebenezer Church in Lawrence, on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 to pressure Wells Fargo to negotiate a principal reduction in one of their member's mortgage.

Danny Nunez, a Methuen homeowner is at the center of all the attention, but not the only one, according to MVP spokesperson Lisa Vinikoor, they are working on bringing out more cases.

According to Nunez, who has been living in a two-family house at 24 Larchwood Rd. in Methuen for the past six years, has been calling Wells Fargo urging them to work with him in a fair manner by modifying his loan and lowering the principal amount value so that it matches the actual value of the house.

"I have tried to get Wells Fargo to work with me but I have been denied the necessary help I need to stay in my home," said Nunez.

Nunez said that he bought his house in 2003 and it no longer is worth the amount he owns on the loan. "I owe the bank over $300,000 and the house is worth half of that," he said.

Nunez blames the economic downturn for his financial problems. He said that his wife lost her job after the company she had worked at for over 10 years moved overseas, and has been unemployed for over a year.

Mr. Nunez, father of three has lived in the Merrimack Valley his whole life. "I have been trying for nine months to find a solution and I get nothing from Wells Fargo," said Mr. Nunez of his experience.

According to Debora Blume of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Communications, "The investors who owned the loan have reviewed the application and decided to approve the modification of the loan," she said.

According to Blume, they have contacted Mr. Nunez and they have reached an agreement.

Filed 31 de Octubre, 2009 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

BY ALBERTO SURÍS

Merrimack Valley --Former Mayoral Candidate Marcos Devers was the first to speak at the meeting with "the people" held at the British Club last Monday October 19. Devers said that he was pleased that Lantigua is using the plan he formulated for the city when he was a candidate, as well as the other candidates.

"Lantigua has been working with the city for 6 years and I feel humbled that my plan is now part of his plan of government," said Devers. "This will be a government of unity," he added.

"If I didn't win was maybe because I wasn't ready but Lantigua is been ready for the past decade," said Israel Reyes. "This is not Willy Lantigua's time, this is Lawrence's time and I will do whatever it takes to help William Lantigua to be our Mayor," ended Reyes.

Blanchette, who got an standing ovation from the crowd when he entered the room, said that "what I said at the North side of the city is the same thing I say here in the South: Lantigua has been fighting for this community and I know that he will represent the whole city."

Blanchette reminisced that when he was running for city councilor the first time, a guy with a big moustache that he didn't know came forward to help him, and every time he promised something, he came thru,"ended Blanchette. "They can say whatever they want about William Lantigua for not participating in the debates, but Lantigua rather discuss his plans directly with the people," said Jose Alfonso Garcia who was the moderator at the event.

"I debate every day with the people that come to my office, and if you elect me as your manager, this debate will continue for the next 4 years," said Lantigua on his turn to the mic and added "I might not have the diplomas to be your Mayor but no one is more motivated to be your Mayor than me."

After briefly touching on the subject of the $10.9 million deficit, Lantigua went on to say, and promised, a complete financial audit of the city made by and outside company with no city connections. "I want to know what's going on in the city, how much the deficit really is."

Lantigua touched on issues such as public safety, education, a new police station, and accountability for city employees. Lantigua expressed his desire, if elected, to work with all city councilors on issues. "I don't want rubber stamps," said Lantigua. On the police station, "I hope that it will be build during our watch," he said.

According to Lantigua, performance evaluations will be presented to all newemployees. Old employee's performance evaluations will have to be discussed with the different unions, but people should not receive automatic increases.

If elected, Lantigua said he will walk the entire City Hall and he personally will confront any employee who mistreats the public and vice versa, because sometimes it's the public who mistreats the employees.

"It will be a new sheriff in town," was Lantigua's response to a questionabout Lawrence Police behavior. "There is not coincidence that my campaign manager (Melix Bonilla) is a Sergeant with the Lawrence Police and my campaign finances are in the hands of (Elvin Alarcon) a Methuen Police Officer. They are going to be part of the solution!"

"The title of Mayor will be for Lantigua, but a group of men and women will govern the city and we want that this group to be known as the best," ended Lantigua.

Filed 23 de Octubre, 2009 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

Administration calls together leaders from across Massachusetts to address economic challenges and map a path to recovery

Governor Deval Patrick today announced that he will convene a cross-section of the state's foremost business, financial, education and public policy leaders during an Economic Summit at the Federal Reserve Bank in Boston on October 27. The day-long summit will focus on ways to promote long-term economic recovery and job growth throughout the Commonwealth.

"Massachusetts is poised to come out of this downturn faster and stronger than the rest of the country," said Governor Patrick. "By convening representatives of commerce and industry from every corner of the state, we can plot a course together to make the most of our recovery and assure that no one is left behind."

Recent reports indicate that Massachusetts is set to emerge from the current recession more quickly than other states, thanks in large part to Governor Patrick and the legislature's focus on long-term economic development and investments in key industries such as life sciences, health care, education and clean energy.

While the private sector is showing early signs of recovery - housing sales and starts are up and business investment is growing - state tax revenue always recovers more slowly than the private sector economy and, as a result, the state will continue to confront challenges brought on by the global economic collapse for the foreseeable future.

The Governor's Economic Summit is designed to help Massachusetts develop a strategic roadmap to recovery.

"I look forward to joining Governor Patrick and other leaders at the Economic Summit later this month," said House Speaker Robert DeLeo. "This forum will spur thoughtful discussion and remind Massachusetts residents and others of the strengths of our resilient state, an historic center of innovation and reinvention."

Continue reading "Governor Patrick Details Plans for Economic Summit" »

Filed 16 de Octubre, 2009 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

BY RICHARD A. AYBAR
richardaybar@rumbonews.com

It's a matter of race
This does not mean it is racist. My remark is not meant to be racist, either. This is just what the numbers say based on how they were analyzed. It is not a secret for anybody that the things that "North Lawrence" wants are not the things that the "South Lawrence" wants.

Some say that they must want the same things since they live in the same city thus must have the same need, but the fact of the matter is that those needs are not prioritized the same way.

Simply explained, the numbers say the following: Hispanics, which typically live in the "North Lawrence", want their leader to be Hispanic. Americans, which typically live in the "South Lawrence", want their leader to be American.

This is evident when you see the votes cast only on the north side of Lawrence. In order, this is what the voters wanted: 1. William Lantigua, 2. Marcos Devers, 3. Julia Silverio, 4. Patrick Blanchette, and 5. David Abdoo.

The difference of votes between the first place and the first American was of 835 votes. Hispanic candidates received a total of 5,115 votes from a total of 6,817. This means that 75% of the voters in "North Lawrence" prefer a Hispanic leader over a non- Hispanic one.

When we count the votes cast only on the south side of Lawrence, these were the results: 1. David Abdoo, 2. William Lantigua, 3. Patrick Blanchette, 4. Marcos Devers, 5. Julia Silverio.

These names are the same suggested by the north, but in a different order. The difference between the first place and the first Hispanic candidate was of 926 votes. Hispanic candidates received a total of 1,604 votes form a total of 3,747. This means that 42% of the voters in "South Lawrence" prefer a Hispanic leader over a non-Hispanic one.

Here is the count backwards just in case that you are confused: 58% of "South Lawrence" wants an American mayor.

However, the table accompanying this story suggests something more indicative that it is more about race than about "north" south. In other words, what do the voters of Lawrence want if you don't count the folks in the Mount Vernon area (District E).

To do this is obviously impossible, but please follow along. The votes cast under this format suggest the following: 1. William Lantigua, 2. Marcos Devers, 3. Julia Silverio, 4. Patrick Blanchette, 5. David Abdoo. The difference between the first place and the first American candidate was of 887 votes. Hispanic candidates received a total of 5,945 votes from a total of 8,400. This means that 71% of the voters in 5 of the 6 districts in the city of Lawrence prefer a Hispanic leader over a non-Hispanic one.

Here is what this tells me... There are a lot of Hispanics living in South Lawrence East! It is true, that is the only explanation why a part of South Lawrence feels like the north side.

You see, I believe that we all vote for someone that we identify with. This tells me that we vote for our own race. This does not mean that we are racists; this means that we want the people that lead us to be just as we are.

We want those that represent us to identify with our needs in the same order that we do. We want someone to tell us "I know what you are going through; I went through the same thing".

This is the case every aspect of life we can think of. This is why we always want to work with someone with experience. Only that to elect a mayor this time, Lawrencians don't want administrative experience, this time the voters of Lawrence want the next mayor of Lawrence to have experience being Hispanic, like them.

Other things that the numbers suggest

55% of the voters in these elections voted in North Lawrence.
The Mount Vernon Area (District E) represented 20% of the total votes in these elections. 64% of the district voted in favor of an American candidate.

Mount Vernon represented 49% of David Abdoo's votes who was considered the 5th option in the rest of the city. This district alone moved him from 5th to 2nd place. Also in this district Daniel Cotnoir received more votes than Nilka, Nunzio and Payano.

District A wanted Blanchette and Lantigua. District B wanted Lantigua and Silverio. District C wanted Lantigua and Devers. District D wanted Lantigua and Silverio. District E wanted Abdoo and Blanchette. District F wanted Abdoo and Lantigua.

Filed 12 de Octubre, 2009 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)