The Haverhill School Committee approved a $107.6 million spending plan Wednesday night for the next school year after narrowly dismissing objections over the city taking education money back. Three similar plans were presented, all including a state education payment of $8.9 million. The state aid was bulked up last year with the passage of the Student Opportunity Act. School Committee member Richard J. Rosa led the opposition, contending the mayor is actually cutting the city’s contribution.
Haverhill’s move to ward-based city council and school committee members is a step closer to reality with the Massachusetts House Thursday granting preliminary approval and sending it to the state Senate. The House, where the home rule petition was presented by Rep. Andy X. Vargas, accepted the bill on its required third reading and passed it to the Senate, where it is sponsored by Sen. Diana DiZoglio. The state House of representatives have had the bill since March, shortly after Haverhill city councilors voted 8-0 to ask the legislature to make the change.
The backstory behind 161 banners, featuring the names and photographs of Haverhill veterans, was told during a Hometown Heroes Tribute Ceremony Thursday afternoon in downtown Haverhill. The Haverhill Exchange Club, responsible for the second annual banner initiative, honored those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces at a service Thursday afternoon at Grand Army of the Republic Park, also known as G-A-R Park, with tenor Neil Ferreira of Haverhill performing the National Anthem.
Others in attendance were Master of Ceremonies Ron Carpenito; Mayor James J. Fiorentini; Massachusetts Army National Guard Brigadier General Matthew Kennedy; Ralph T. Basiliere, chairman of the Haverhill Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission; and Essex County Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger. The sheriff discussed what Memorial Day means to him.
Dario Preston of Haverhill is the featured artist when Haverhill’s River Bards hosts its last presentation of the season next Friday. Preston, who grew up in Lawrence and credits the city for his artistic abilities, writes everyday whether it is a journal entry, music, poetry, skits or short stories. He considers himself a poet/spoken word artist and is a frequent River Bards open mic presenter.
