Another view of Councilor Simonelli’s comments
Dear Editor:
Apparently, new Everett resident Patrick Scully is not a big fan of City Councilor Stephen Simonelli, especially when it comes to urging to prioritize the rights of those in this country unlawfully over the rights of legal immigrants and ,God forbid, U.S. Citizens. In December, the Everett City Council approved a resolution supporting those living in Everett covered under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and residents covered by the Temporary Protected Status (TPS). This elected body has every right to do so.
Apparently, Councilor Simonelli opposed the resolution, which Mr. Scully called “a strong symbolic show of support.” Scully then seems to go into ad hominem mode by using Simonelli’s own words such as taking “care of our own first ” or “Everett keep Everett people first.” Scully calls this so “disgraceful” I call it, Simonelli’s first amendment right to free speech. Just because you don’t like someone’s opinion, it doesn’t make it good, bad or indifferent.
I don’t know Councilor Simonelli, never met him and don’t even know what he looks like if I bumped into him, but I understood what he was attempting to say. I might have said it a bit differently, but I know what he meant. We have too many people out there in the media and politics who are trying to demean anyone who criticizes the liberal rush to canonize unlawfuls living among us.
Getting to the “Temporary Protected Status,” what part of the word “Temporary” don’t people get? It isn’t called “Permanent Protected Status,” is it? How many years do you get, forever?
As far as those poor DACA children, most of these young people brought here by illegal immigrant parents are not little first graders, they are young adults now. We are told they number 840,000 and that number never changes.
However, what most of us don’t know is that all eligible for DACA are Dreamers, but not all or most Dreamers are necessarily DACA eligible.
Since President Obama gave us DACA, how many new young arrivals have hit our shores illegally? Is it a million, two million or more? These are the questions that the Scullys of this world avoid mentioning.
If Scully is looking for condemnations of Simonelli’s statement perhaps he should travel down to Carver and talk with Jake the Turkey, he’s a legal turkey. He knows liberal gobble when he hears it.
Finally, those who support illegal immigrants as part of the fabric of America’s diversity, should stop saying opponents of this view are anti-immigrant. Get it straight, there is a big difference between legal and illegal. Stop lumping everyone together.
This is America where everyone from a Simonelli to a Scully has a right to speech. It is a god country but lately seems a good country especially if you don’t come from here.
Sal Giarratani
Everett, Proud To Be Haitian-American
Dear Editor,
Everett, Happy New Year!
For 2018, I pray that this year be filled with God’s love, prosperity and good health for each one of you.
In 2017, a year filled with many surprises in politics, we are still in need of good representation throughout our government. We need leaders who embody our values, our hearts, and our passions, not just individuals looking to gain notoriety and influence.
However, within the first weeks of our new year, we were told by the media news outlets that our president stated some disparaging and egregious comments in a meeting – with many witnesses there who have recounted their version of what happened. Some of those disparaging comments were directed at Haiti and the Haitian people.
As many know, my parents were born in Haiti – a country with a rich history of being the first colony with African slaves to gain their independence. My great-grandfather was a senator in Haiti. My great-uncle, who was an excellent student in the country of Haiti, was recruited to attend Harvard University, in Cambridge. His academic pursuit was the catalyst of the Adrien family leaving Haiti to come to the United States of America to do the same and pursue the American Dream. My parents moved to Everett in 1995 to purchase their first home in Ward 4. They worked hard, became proficient in English, had three children, went to church every Sunday and were involved in the community. My accomplishments are attributed to my parents instilling in me the values of hard work and kindness.
In early 2017, I received a new opportunity to work at Boston Medical Center in the Hematology-Oncology Department. I help clinical doctors and researchers find cures or remedies for blood-related cancer and sickle cell-related diseases. I am also now a candidate for a Master’s of Business Administration at Boston University, where I am focusing on Finance and Health Sector Management. I won my first MBA case Competition in Maryland in my first semester. I still give back, and my faith is stronger than ever.
I am very proud of my parents and my entire family’s background. I am a PROUD Haitian-American. I will never regret my history. I hope that the president grows to understand that Haiti is a fantastic country which has fallen on hard times like many countries in the world. However, we are great people who believe in hard work, kindness and have hearts filled with love.
We will overcome!
Please get to know us and our story. Talk to us. Walk with us. Listen to us. As for our government representation in 2018, please listen to all of us and learn more about our questions, concerns, needs and joys. You represent us. And, we need you standing up for us.
Gerly Adrien