NewsWhore
01-07-2010, 05:10 PM
Monday, 4 January was a historic night for the Dominican community in the US. Dominican-born William Lantigua was sworn in as mayor of Lawrence, a city of 72,000 with a large first and second generation Dominican constituency. He became the first popularly elected Latino mayor for Massachusetts. He was elected amidst a scandalous fiscal collapse. He said upon being sworn in that his goal would be to bring back trust in government. He said he would focus on job creation and small business.
The Boston Globe reported that Lantigua had won riding a wave of change powered by voters, including a Latino majority. Lantigua inherits a budget deficit of at least $17.5 million and will face an anticipated budget gap in the next fiscal year.
Despite his popularity among Lawrence residents, Lantigua has drawn criticism around the state for his decision to keep his legislative seat, which he can do legally, reports the newspaper. As mayor, Lantigua will earn an annual salary of $100,000, and at least $61,400 as a state representative. He has indicated that he is considering giving one of the salaries to charity. In the meantime, city workers have been told layoffs are an inevitable part of the upcoming overhaul at City Hall.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/... (http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/01/05/amid_optimism_lantigua_takes_office_in_lawrence/)
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#14)
The Boston Globe reported that Lantigua had won riding a wave of change powered by voters, including a Latino majority. Lantigua inherits a budget deficit of at least $17.5 million and will face an anticipated budget gap in the next fiscal year.
Despite his popularity among Lawrence residents, Lantigua has drawn criticism around the state for his decision to keep his legislative seat, which he can do legally, reports the newspaper. As mayor, Lantigua will earn an annual salary of $100,000, and at least $61,400 as a state representative. He has indicated that he is considering giving one of the salaries to charity. In the meantime, city workers have been told layoffs are an inevitable part of the upcoming overhaul at City Hall.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/... (http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/01/05/amid_optimism_lantigua_takes_office_in_lawrence/)
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#14)