Lawrence State Rep / Mayor Willie Lantigua resigned his House seat effective 5:00 pm last night. The burning question is why did he get pushed out? He was elected by the citizens of Lawrence for State Rep and the for Mayor. There is no Mass Law that prohibits him from having both positions. The City of Lawrence held an election and he won. So why did he get forced out?
Is it because as State Rep. Tom Golden who was one of the first to call for his resignation stated it was just wrong to hold both jobs? Was it because has the Chairman of the Ways and Means pointed out he needs to dedicate himself to serving Lawrence full time as Mayor? Did he finally listen to Gov. Patrick & Speaker DeLeo and resign because of political pressure?
YES , it was a collection of all that plus the Democrats in office right now are so concerned about the anti-incumbent, anti-democrat sentiment out there right now that having a Poster Boy for Political Greed collecting two tax payer funded salaries won’t fly. He had to go and if they had to hold the city hostage for 35 Million so be it. If they had to sacrifice the first Latino elected to be Mayor that’s Okay because it’s self preservation time. Pick a position Willie cause you can’t have both, not this year. We can’t face challengers who will use you along with Marion Walsh, Diane Wilkerson and Jim Mazilli to remind people what the state party has to offer. So what if the people elected him and wanted him in both positions. The Party can’t afford it, not now.
The Democrats held their caucus today and in Lowell and Tewksbury reports have it not enough people showed up to fill all slots. On his Blog Dick Howe states ” with all the talk of the Scott Brown victory being a “wake-up call” to the Massachusetts Democratic Party, they missed the opportunity to use the caucus to re-energize the” grassroots” it suggests that someone hit the snooze button again.
Dick , besides a note on your Blog and on Left in Lowell what did the Democrats due to get people to show up? If people don’t get asked to attend how would they know about it and why would they go? The fact that more and more people are unenrolled should wake up both parties.
The voters have shown with the election of Scott Brown that it isn’t about the party anymore and the boys on the hill are now feeling the heat and have gotten the message but they need to act on it and get people involved. Niki Tsongas with her Congress on the Corner and Health Care meetings at least tries to reach out to the electorate. They all need to be more open to listen to the community.
The Republicans should not strut or gloat either. Yes they will be able to gain some seats in the house and senate. Less they forget on the National level they were kicked out last time because we had had enough of W and his policies. We needed a change and for better or worse we got it. We need it again and will get it now too.
The electorate has shown during the last two election cycles that they no longer care if your Blue, Red, Yellow or Pink. We need jobs, we need fair and affordable health care and we want less taxes not more, we want less government and especially less patronage.
It’s about the economy Stupid ! If you can’t improve it, your out.
