Haverhill’s mayor is taking Irish pride to new heights—delivering a proclamation and then following up by sharing some of the gold at the ends of rainbows with downtown drivers.
Mayor Melinda E. Barrett Thursday declared there will be free parking along downtown streets and within city-managed parking lots Monday, March 17—St. Patrick’s Day. Barrett showed pride in her heritage Tuesday by reading aloud her holiday proclamation before city councilors.
“Whereas, hailing from the Emerald Isle, generations of Irish men and women have helped shape the idea of America, overcoming hardship and strife through strength and sacrifice, faith and family, with an undying belief that tomorrow always yields a brighter day; and Whereas, Irish-Americans have distinguished themselves in every sector of American life with many among the signers of the Declaration of Independence, some Presidents of the United States tracing their roots to Ireland, and Henry Ford, founder of one of America’s iconic companies being the son of an Irish immigrant…” she said in part.
Usually, a city councilor is selected to read mayoral proclamations, but Council President Thomas J. Sullivan called Barrett to the podium, noting her Irish ancestry. Councilor Ralph T. Basiliere went further, quipping the mayor’s wearing of green befit the occasion.
The mayor declared the month beginning on March 17 as Irish American Heritage Month.
In a release, the mayor said Monday’s free parking does not apply to the Granite Street parking garage, owned by Merrimack Valley Transit. Other than waiving parking fees, LAZ Parking, the contractor that operates paid parking for the city, will enforce all other regulations within their authority, such as enforcing spaces marked as two-hour parking to promote turnover.