The last two years have not been good ones for Haverhill's two most visible legislative bodies.
The most recent City Council and School Committee terms have stood out more for infighting than for accomplishment.
Now more than ever, Haverhill needs leadership at all levels of city government.
City councilors are the conduit from the resident to his or her government. They have a responsibility to listen to all sides of an issue and to maintain an air of impartiality until discussion is complete.
During the past two-year term, none of the nine city councilors stood out as worthy of praise for a vote or action that improved the lives of his or her constituents. The last term instead was dominated by clashes between one-term, departing City Councilor James Donahue and a majority of the remaining members. We wish the council had put the passion and energy and effort into their deliberation of the city budget, for example, that they poured into Donahue's censure.
Council meetings are one of the few times that residents have the opportunity to see how their government works and how decisions are made. Therefore, it is disappointing when councilors come to a meeting and vote in lock step.
The School Committee deserves much the same rap. Too often over the last couple of years, School Committee meetings became squabbles that focused far too much on the individual members and too little on the primary job of any school committee, which is developing goals and policies for schools in the district.
Incumbent Kerry Fitzgerald, before bowing out of the race earlier this month, described School Committee meetings as "dysfunctional," saying the behavior at the meetings belies the amount of good work that is done by members "behind the scenes."
Taxpayers, parents and residents deserve a School Committee that performs its business in the open and with the decorum that the public expects.
Voters must insist on healthy, vigorous and respectful debate on issues that enriches community life.
These City Council challengers have shown promise in this year's campaign. We hope voters will consider them.
Sven Amirian: Amirian has been a tireless campaigner and has run a race centered on hearing from would-be constituents about their needs. This constituent-focused campaign gives us reason to believe that his council tenure would be much the same.
Colin LePage: LePage has been a longtime public servant, but behind the scenes. LePage deserves as much credit as anyone serving in an official capacity for the current single-stream recycling pilot program.
Michael Young: From the first day of the race, Young adopted the campaign pledge of fiscal responsibility. He put his money where his mouth is by rejecting all campaign contributions.
Christian Miller: Unafraid to offer an opinion, Miller is willing to think outside the proverbial box. His creativity and willingness to go out on a limb are sorely lacking on the current council.
Of the four School Committee challengers, we urge voters to give two of their three votes to:
Paul Magliocchetti: In his first race for elective office, Magliocchetti, a local lawyer, vowed to take a leadership role on the committee to end the "dysfunctional" nature of its meetings.
Krystine Hetel: A former city councilor, Hetel would bring experience to the School Committee from the "other side" of the budget, a valuable set of knowledge as the city prepares for more funding cuts.
