As far as I'm concerned, the headline on Tuesday's Page 3 Times story should have read "Verga gets only $150K earmarked for local projects" — because if one reads the article, it's clear that our representative not only fell far short of his own goal but matched up poorly against the successes of his regional colleagues in bringing home the bacon.
While our representative didn't come close to his stated goal to "win the lottery" in the budget process, his Democratic colleague from Andover, Rep. Barbara L'Italien, got $2 million to help cities and towns pay to transport special education students to other districts, another $2 million increase for the state Division of Autism and $200,000 for a school for autistic children in her district. Rep. Michael Costello, D-Newburport, won earmarks in excess of $600,000 for projects in his district, as well as $2 million for a state program to fund police hires statewide. Rep. Brian Dempsey of Haverhill took home $305,000 for projects in his district, while Rep. William Lantigua of Lawrence brought $385,000 back to his district.
Cape Ann needs more on Beacon Hill than a genial, passive, lovely fellow who sits back and hopes "to win the lottery" while we end up with the short end of the stick in the budget process.
We need energetic, passionate, determined representation fighting for our fair share. It is well past time for a change.
