A reluctant Haverhill School Committee gave its approval for the sale of alcohol at the HHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction dinner at Hunking School on Saturday, May 13, beginning at 5 p.m. with a reception and dinner at 6.
The request for a liquor license for the event now goes before the License Commission at its next meeting.
Members Paul A. Magliocchetti and Scott W. Wood Jr. said they disagree with the idea of serving alcohol in a school building.
Magliocchetti said he would support the request because of the importance of the event and the lack of time available to make other arrangements.
Mayor James J. Fiorentini agreed, saying, “I don’t want to kill this event, but I don’t want alcohol served in the schools.”
Superintendent James F. Scully said an outside vendor will handle the alcohol sales, and all servers will be TIP certified, meaning they are trained in procedures for safe alcohol serving. The vendor will carry proper insurance, Scully said.
Wood cast the lone “no” vote.
Eleven athletes and coaches make up the inaugural class. They are: Kate Abromovich, Class of 1989, golf, softball and basketball; Andy Alsup, Class of 1997, football and track; Matt Battistini, Class of 1978, football and track; Duane Carlisle, Class of 1983, basketball and track; Dan Conway, Class of 1976, football; Heidi Hannenian, Class of 1989, swimming; Kerry (Horgan) DeVries, Class of 1988, field hockey, basketball and softball; R. John Ottaviani, Class of 1957, coach, athletic director; Carlos Pena, Class of 1995, baseball; Mary Schena, Class of 1983, cross country and track; and Kevin Woelfel, coach and teacher.
Tickets are $50 each and are available at www.hillies.org by clicking on the Athletics tab.
Two things –
1) some great athletes of the past are NOT on this inaugural list – including Gene Goodreault, who was an All-American at Boston College and stood out in the 1941 Sugar Bowl. I’m just fearful that as time wears on, the players of the past will be neglected, AND, forgotten. There aren’t too many guys left from his era.
2) We have enough places in Haverhill – if those organizing this event really feel alcohol is a requisite – there are certainly enough other establishments that could host this. Having alcohol on school property sets a precedent.
Regarding Gene Goodreault, he already is a member of the Haverhill Sports Hall of Fame from the early 80s, and an earlier story said all HHS graduates in that group are automatically included in the new exclusively HHS Hall of Fame.
Then I stand corrected…. based on this being an “inaugural” group – it appeared they were not. Good.
Fiorentini and Wood are right! The rest of the elected liberal democrats on that board sent a message that I dont want my children to hear
I’ll state it as plain as I speak – this is a stupid idea, and a dumb decision – period.
This dinner is not an earth shattering event at all – it CAN and SHOULD be rescheduled somewhere else if the need for alcohol is so deeply desired.
Or the attendees could set a good example (how noble) – and NOT require alcohol.
The decisions on almost every major issue in Haverhill lately make me wonder if there are any elected officials with a single thread of common sense because I don’t see it at all.
More progressive, liberal thinking in action.
What next, letting people smoke weed? After all, that’s legal too now, right?
Who’s idea was this? It’s good to see the names of those opposing it, but parents and especially voters should know who thought drinking “in a school” was a great idea.
Where is the money raised from the sale of booze going?
I actually agree with Mayor Jimmy and Scott “Anti-Free Speech” Wood on this issue. While all for personal liberty of consuming whatever one wants, not sure alcohol consumption on school grounds was a prudent decision/message.
Elected liberal democrats in Haverhill are “never” able to clearly define what it is prudent when it comes the messages they send young people in this city when it comes to drugs.
Remember a couple of years ago when ex-Boston Celtic Chris Herren came to speak to students at HHS about the dangers of drugs? It was on the very same day that Jimmy Taxman was trying to sneak through putting a weed distribution facility in Haverhill.
And then there’s Andy Vargas, et.al., who are all for allowing criminal trespassers illegally in the city. This happens at the same time these invaders are bringing the drugs to the city that are wiping out his own generation.
The one I laugh the most about is Jimmy Taxman’s hiring of Orlando Pacheco. Jimmy obviously didn’t have city young people in mind regarding the issue of substance abuse after the Boston media photo of Pacheco which lead him to lose his last job, did he?
Whatever way the political winds are blowing regarding competing liberal interests is what way democrats lean in Haverhill. Especially when no one is paying attention…which you are so expert at pointing out.
“Remember a couple of years ago when ex-Boston Celtic Chris Herren came to speak to students at HHS about the dangers of drugs? It was on the very same day that Jimmy Taxman was trying to sneak through putting a weed distribution facility in Haverhill.”
Just came back from a weekend caring for a most beloved friend stricken with brain cancer. He’s skeletal from the nausea and medication side effects. I’ve read scientific accounts of the use of medicinal marijuana to ease these symptoms, and help restore appetite. Just wondering if you’re opposed to the controlled medical use of marijuana.