Former Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini said he believed he was looking at junk when he cleared his home mail box the other day, but was surprised when he took a second look.
The man who led Haverhill for 20 years received a letter with a return address of Washington, D.C.
“I saw an envelope that said ‘The White House.’ I thought it was a calendar, or a picture or maybe some kind of a scam from somebody else. I almost didn’t open it, but I did open it. I was just thrilled—honored, thrilled,” he told WHAV during an interview Sunday at his home.
Soon-to-retire President Joe Biden thanked the mayor who himself retired about a year ago for “service to the people of Haverhill” and “partnership” during the Biden administration.
“As I always say: Mayors get the job done. You have worked tirelessly to solve the everyday problems and kitchen table issues of your constituents. And in the process, you improved so many lives—launching a cycle of opportunity that will benefit the people of Haverhill for generations to come,” Biden wrote.
Fiorentini noted there are about 500 managing mayors—1,500 if one also counts ceremonial mayors—across the country and didn’t believe it was a mass mailing. Yet, he didn’t know at first how he came to receive the letter.
“I found out that Dan Koh, who lives in Andover, had nominated me and the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs had approved it. I was just very, very honored and thrilled that the president of the United States would send me a letter,” Fiorentini said.
Koh, who ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2018, currently serves as deputy assistant to the president and deputy director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.
Truth be told, Martha—Fiorentini’s wife—said the former mayor hardly ever checks the mail himself. But she was likewise skeptical at first. “I almost always get the mail, but this time Jim got it. He said, ‘Oh, I got a letter from the White House.’ Oh yeah, they’re probably asking for money,” she said, laughing.
Then, she said, she saw the letter and was “impressed.”
“I feel it is well deserved. Jim worked hard for 20 years as mayor to make this city a better place to live for everybody.”
Biden appeared to agree, concluding, “As you start this next chapter, I encourage you to keep up the good fight and to always keep the faith.”