By himself, Reville is a major league character considering this city’s number one bad boy is its seemingly unfixable and unmanageable public schools and the deluge of problems afflicting them.

The governor is an entirely different matter.

Here’s a guy who isn’t just the governor. He talks with the president and the two are dear friends growing closer as the campaign intensifies.

And there was Tierney. For all his faults, he was there, caring enough to be present with the governor and Secretary of Education Reville.

The only major cog in the wheel that was missing, absent without leave, was our mayor.

No doubt, she was performing important constituent work or investigating the minutiae of an arcane or inane contract that has virtually no meaning whatsoever except to her.

Then again, maybe she was just too busy doing whatever it is she does during the day everyday to take a moment to free herself in order to be walking next to the governor, our congressman and the secretary of education and oh yes, the president of Lynn’s junior college, Mr. Burton.

At this point, except for this editorial writer, her absence wasn’t even noticed much less missed. No one mentioned her name.

She has managed to miss just about every major meeting a mayor should attend during the past two years.

It would be unfair to say she’s missed all the meetings because that simply isn’t true.

She’s just missed nearly all of them, not finding somehow the strength to tear herself away from her constituent work to make it to accompany the governor in our city, which is ostensibly her city.

Snubbing the governor, the secretary of education and the congressman is no big deal to our mayor.

She’s snubbed just about everyone who means anything in city government here since got elected.

There is virtually no meaningful communication between the mayor and her associates and colleagues elected and unelected at city hall.

They all talk about it among themselves and frankly, they are all amazed.

Everyone is working in a vacuum without the mayor in a city where everything about progress for the city begins at the top.

Maybe everyone, including the governor, the congressman and the secretary of education and oh yes, Wayne Burton, are better off.

Governor Deval Patrick shares conversation with NSCC president Wayne Burton during a visit last week. Congressman John Tierney is shown on the left.

Governor Deval Patrick, Congressman John Tierney and the Commonwealth’s Secretary of Education Paul Reville toured North Shore Community College with its president Wayne Burton Wednesday afternoon.

Governor Patrick wanted to view first hand some of the classrooms where coursework is directly related to securing a job.

In his state of the state address Monday night, Patrick announced he was going to present a plan to the legislature for the unification of all the state’s two year colleges.

He said he believed that by unifying them, great gains could be made in pairing up graduates with jobs that are waiting.

“There are presently 120,000 jobs available in Massachusetts with 240,000 people unemployed. If we could achieve getting the 120,000 jobs that already exist, we could cut the unemployment in the Commonwealth in half,” the governor said.

The governor’s comments were inextricably connected to President Barack Obama’s similar promise made in his State of the Union Address a day earlier. In fact, both men seemed to utter the very same idea about making junior college course work more job conscious – in other words – attending junior college can segue into a job instead of a degree with nothing much to do with it.

“Did you talk with someone about this before presenting it Monday night?” a reporter asked the governor.

The governor smiled.

“It was purely coincidental,” he said.

He was overheard speaking with NSCC President Burton, discussing the ins and outs of what is exactly best for the students matriculating at NSCC.

A large entourage followed the small group of high ranking officials during the one hour visit.

Among them was NSCC Vice-President for Student and enrollment Services Donna Richemond.

Lynn English Principal Thomas Strangie congratulates Jackie Ma on her acceptance to Harvard University inside the principal’s office at the school.

Jackie Ma, a senior at Lynn English High School, has been accepted for admission to Harvard University in Cambridge as a member of the Class of 2016.

Ma, currently the No. 2-ranked student academically among 368 students in the LEHS senior class, was accepted through Harvard’s Early Action Admissions Program. More than 35,000 candidates have applied for the 1,660 seats in Harvard’s incoming freshman class.

Principal Thomas Strangie joined faculty and staff in congratulating Ma on her acceptance to Harvard.

“Jackie is an outstanding student who brings a lot of credit to the school and her family,” said Strangie. “We couldn’t be more proud. She’s a fantastic young lady.”

Ma learned of her acceptance to Harvard via email on December 15.

“I was really surprised but my family and I were really excited,” said Ma, whose older brother, George, an English alumnus, just graduated from Norwich University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. “I guess attending Harvard has always been in the back of my mind. I intend to study in the sciences at Harvard.”

The daughter of Jack and Amy Ma, Jackie is a product of the Lynn school system, having attended the Lincoln-Thomson Elementary School and Breed Middle School before entering Lynn English as a freshman.

Of her experience at English, Ma said, “My years at English have been wonderful. I couldn’t have asked for a better high school experience. My teachers are amazing. I love this school.”

Ma also praised the assistance and support of guidance counselor Karen Twomey during the entire admissions process.

“Ms. Toomey has done so much for me in my four years at English,” said Ma. “She’s always been there to support me and encourage me to do my best.”

Ma was inducted into the National Honor Society. She has also served as an editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, a section editor of the school yearbook, president of the French Club, and a member of the Latin Club, Asian-American Club, and the Recycling Club. As a junior, she received the Harvard Book Award.

Ma has visited Harvard and toured the campus and its facilities. As a freshman, she will reside in Harvard Yard.

“I’m really excited about the next four years,” said Ma.

m usic Director Rrobert Lehmann.

Music Director Robert Lehmann conducts the North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra in its annual Winter Concert Sunday, Feb. 12 at 3 p.m. at the Swampscott High School Auditorium, 200 Essex St.

The program features American soprano Elizabeth Keusch, a New England Conservatory graduate who has gained international acclaim and has performed during her career with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Washington DC Choral Arts Society, to name a few.  A lecturer in Music at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Ms. Keusch will sing Bach’s Cantata 51, “Jauchzet Gott,” considered one of Bach’s most popular and enduring solo cantatas.

Composer Franz Shubert’s Symphony No. 9, “The Great”, and Igor Stravinsky’s charming and witty Suite No. 2 for Small Orchestra round out the concert program.

Tickets will be available at the door for $20, $15 for seniors and students, and can be purchased in advance at www.nspo.org.

Currently in its 64th consecutive season, The North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra is a community orchestra founded in 1948 in Lynn, Massachusetts.  Based in Swampscott, the NSPO under its Music Director Robert Lehmann performs three subscription concerts each year, as well as various special performances in communities in the Boston area.  The NSPO is committed to its longstanding mission to perform high-quality music at an affordable price to communities on Boston’s North Shore; to develop, train and provide opportunities for young musicians; and to provide a large range of programs covering the full range of symphonic repertoire for a diverse public, focusing primarily on instrumental works but also including instrumental/vocal and choral works.  For more information, visit www.nspo.org.

He loved Boston. He loved downtown Boston. He loved the neighborhoods. Above all, he loved the people.

Mayor Kevin White was this city’s guiding force when it was coming to life, literally coming out of a slumber, during a bygone era when everything about this city was changing and coming to life.

He came to power at a time when rich were pitted against poor. Men against women. Old against young. White against black.

The social revolution rising at this time caused the nation to convulse – and Boston convulsed with it.

The Vietnam War was ripping the nation apart. Busing was destined to do its best to ruin the city’s once proud public school system. The challenges facing White when he took office were extraordinary. He was up for all of it. He was never daunted. He was always looking for the next big push to change the face and the fortune of the city.

He was ready for the challenge.

He was the right man at the right time for this city.

He proved it time and again during a long reign when the city evolved largely into a virtual image of what it is today.

He took Quincy Market Place from a one horse, meat market, decrepit reality and turned it into Boston’s signature tourist stop, drawing millions upon millions and having a profound effect on nearly everything else at the time.

He transformed the waterfront from lazy and dead on arrival into another residential and commercial success story.

His greatest credit goes to remaking the non-existent Boston skyline and by rejuvenating the downtown by doing so and for bringing new life to the city and its neighborhoods in a big, big way.

He was a big picture guy with a big picture reputation who dominated this city’s political life from the time he was 38 until he retired from public life 16 years later.

He was a master at understanding a changing Boston and not standing against it- indeed – he welcomed the future, always. He was the brightest and best to nurture the future here.

He judged men and women by what they brought to the table not by their religion or the color of their skin or by the second language they spoke or by their sexual orientation.

In this respect he was truly a man for all seasons, who always did his best for the city he loved until the day he died.

There are no more Kevin Whites coming up the ladder in Boston today.

Our condolences to his family.

Credit Union Officer

Carol A. (Dieso) Vasapolli of Stoneham, formerly of Revere, died on January 29 after a brief illness.

An Officer in the Metropolitan and River Works Credit Union, Lynn, she was the beloved wife of Michael J. Vasapolli with whom she shared 37 years of marriage; cherished daughter of Lena (Zani) Dieso of Revere and the late John Dieso; dear sister of Jeanne Young and her husband, Colin of Wakefield; daughter-in-law of Phyllis (Falzone) Vasapolli of Revere and the late Joseph Vasapolli; fond aunt of Kristine Robison and Lauren Young and many other nieces and nephews.

Her Funeral will be held from Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, 262 Beach Street, Revere Wednesday at 8 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Anthony’s Church, Revere, at 9 a.m. Family and friends may visit today, Tuesday, from 4 to 8 p.m. Entombment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. For directions and guest book, please visit: www.vazzafunerals.com

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Madeline Masella

Lynn Resident

Madeline F. (Gallagher) Masella of Lynn died on January 26.

The wife of the late John J. Masella, she is survived by many nieces and nephews and her dear friends Julie Firicano and “Skippy.”

Funeral arrangements were by the Cuffe-McGinn Funeral Home, Lynn. Online guestbook at www.cuffemcginn.com
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Jean Kerrins

Retired Director of the Revere Housing Authority

Jean F. (Innes) Kerrins of Revere, formerly of Chelsea, died on January 24 after a brief illness. She was 81 years old.

The retired Director of the Revere Housing Authority, she was the wife of the late Thomas J. Kerrins, Jr.; cherished mother of Kathleen J. Kerrins of Revere, Thomas J. Kerrins III and his wife, Ellen Torres of Danville, CA, Atty. Michael P. Kerrins and his wife, Paula M. of Lynn and the late Patricia A. Kerrins; devoted grandmother of Jessica Britt and her husband, Jarrett of Quincy, Thomas Kerrins-Torres and Stephen Kerrins-Torres, both of Danville, CA, Sophia M. and Benjamin D. Kerrins, both of Lynn; dear sister of Jack Proverb and his wife, Lois of Chelmsford and the late Joseph Innes Jr., Mary Proverb, Barbara Paone, Gertrude Coviello and Jill Pellegrino. She is also lovingly survived by many nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements were by the Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals, Revere. Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute & the Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Pl. West, Brookline, MA 02445-9924

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Peter MacKinnon, Sr.

Middlesex Court House Retiree

Peter A. MacKinnon, Sr. of Melrose (Retired Assistant Clerk Magistrate @ Cambridge Middlesex Court House) died suddenly on January 25.

He was the loving husband of the late Suzanne M. (Masci) MacKinnon who died on September 28, 2011; beloved father of Kelly-Ann Manuel and her husband, John of Weymouth and Peter A. MacKinnon Jr. and his wife, Jennifer of Lynn; cherished grandfather of Connor Manuel, Drew and Cole MacKinnon; brother of Paul MacKinnon and his wife, Kate Foley of Holden; son-in-law of Marie (Thomas) Masci of Arlington; brother-in-law of Elaine Cowie of Billerica and Anthony and Denise Masci of Arlington. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral arrangements were by the Gately Funeral Home, Melrose. Burial was at Glenwood Cemetery in Everett. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to St. Joseph’s Parish, 173 Albion St., Wakefield, MA 01880. To send a message of condolence please visit www.gatelyfh.com

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Antonia Cheffro

Of East Boston, formerly of Lynn

Antonia (Orlandino) Cheffro of East Boston, formerly of Lynn, died on January 23.

She was the beloved wife of Sylvester “Jake” Cheffro with whom she shared 43 years of marriage; loving mother of Julie Sanseverino and her husband, Louis, Rose Gonzales and her husband, Hector, Paul Pari and Josephine Martinelli and her husband, Sylvester Cheffro III, all of East Boston, Virginia Lindy and her husband, Phil, Mark Cheffro and his wife, Stephanie, all of Wakefield and the late Katherine Cheffro Snider; dear sister of Nicholas Orlandino and the late Gerald and Anita Orlandino; cherished grandmother of 18 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements were by Vazza’s “Beechwood” Funeral Home, Revere. Committal was private. For guest book: www.vazzafunerals.com.

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George Coviello

Of Revere, formerly of the North End of Boston

George D. Coviello of Revere, formerly of Boston’s North End, died on January 22.

He was a former employee of H.W. Powers Candy Company and the beloved husband of Nancy (Palermo); devoted father of Steven Coviello of Methuen and Kenneth Coviello of Revere; dear brother of Richard of Lynn, Rosemarie Steph of Reading, Fredrick of Whitman, Charles of Saugus, James of Stoneham, Kathleen Sorace of Revere, David of Everett and the late Patrick and Gloria Giglio. He is also survived by two loving grandchildren, David and Matthew and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements were by the Paul Buonfiglio & Sons – Bruno Funeral Home, Revere. Burial was in Puritan Lawn Cemetery. For guest book, please visit www.Buonfiglio.com

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Kostas George Mazareas

Organizer and longtime band leader of “The Peloponisis” Orchestra 

Kostas George Mazareas died peacefully at his home at on January 21 after a courageous, decade-long battle with lung disease.   He was 82 years old.

Born in Kastania, Greece on February 10, 1929 into dire poverty, and orphaned at the age of six, he had to forego a formal education to help support himself and his younger sister.  During his childhood, he traveled from village to village playing the violin to earn a living, and in time he became an accomplished musician.

During World War II, he served as part of the Greek Resistance, a four year battle waged by ordinary Greek citizens of all ages against the Axis Occupation of Greece by Germany, Italy and Bulgaria.  During this same time, he saw over 1 million  Greek men, women and children die in the Great Famine, a period a mass starvation that resulted from  the Axis Occupation.

Although seriously wounded during World War II, he again took up arms to defend his country against the threat of communism in the Greek Civil War that followed.

In 1955, he married Helen Tsouleas.  She immigrated to the United States that same year and he followed her in 1958 with the hope of a better life.  He resided in Lynn ever since.

Like so many immigrants before him, Kostas was imbued with a very strong work ethic and started a new life in a foreign land working multiple jobs to provide for his family, including work in several leather tanning factories on the North Shore and 35 years of service at General Electric.  A well-regarded musician, Kostas also played violin and bouzouki in several prominent Greek orchestras that performed up and down the East Coast.  Among these was the popular orchestra “The Peloponisos,” which he organized and for which he served as band leader for a number of years.

He was active in a variety of philanthropic and civic activities both here and in Greece. He was a member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Lynn, a Director of the Mani Society of New England and a benefactor to his Church in Kastania, Greece and helped fund its  reconstruction.   After his son’s diagnosis with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) in 2003, he also became a generous supporter of organizations dedicated to ALS research, including the Angel Fund and Prize4Life.

He leaves behind  his beloved wife of 56 years, Helen Tsouleas Mazareas, his devoted son and daughter-in-law, George Kostas Mazareas and Cynthia Tanner Mazareas, and a granddaughter, Eleni Mazareas, whom he called his heart.  He is also survived by his sister, Maria Karolemeas of Salem.

Funeral services were held at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Lynn and burial was in Pine Grove Cemetery, Lynn. Arrangements were entrusted to the SOLIMINE, LANDERGAN AND RICHARDSON FUNERAL HOME, Lynn.    In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St.  George Greek Orthodox Church, 11 Church Street, Lynn, MA 01902.     For guestbook:  www.solimine.com

Lynn high school diving coach Donald McKkenney and head coaches Lisa Trahant (English), Denise Silva (Classical) and Brad Tilley (Tech) are pictured with the divers who have qualified for the Sectionals, from left, Douglas Sermeno, Rachael Thomas, Matt DeMirs, Brandie Howard, Rob Miele, and Diyan Gonzalez.

It’s rare when Lynn’s three public high schools can bask in the glow of a singular athletic achievement, but Classical coach Denise Silva, Tech coach Brad Tilley, and English coach Lisa Trahant are smiling about the success of the divers in the Lynn swimming programs this season.

Six student-athletes – Matt DeMirs and Brandie Holland of Lynn English, Doug Sermeno, Rob Miele, and Diyan Gonzalez of Tech, and Rachael Thomas of Classical -have qualified for the Sectional Meet at MIT in February. It is believed to be the highest number of qualifiers in the city’s swimming history.

Silva said all three schools can take pride in the success of the divers.

“What a wonderful tribute that is to the city of Lynn, the youth of the city, the city-wide diving coach Donald McKenney, and to the dedication all of the coaches,” said Silva. “It’s very nice that you can have three programs working so cohesively, taking 100 student-athletes and putting out that type of athletic talent. We have great kids academically as well as athletically.”

McKenney, who serves as the diving coach for all three teams, said that divers must score over 160 points in a meet to earn an invitation to the Sectionals. Demers, Thomas, Holland and Gonzalez have also exceeded the 178-point plateau needed to qualify for the State Meet.

McKenney was asked about the surge in qualifiers for the Sectional Meet.

“I think we have a very dedicated group that really puts their hearts into it and loves the sport,” said McKenney, a 1992 graduate of Tech where he served as swimming captain and won the diving championship at the City Meet. “They’re making tremendous efforts at practice. I wish I could take all the credit but I can’t because these kids love the sport.”

McKenney said the City Meet on February 4 should be one of the most competitive ever in the diving event.

“I can’t predict who’s going to be the city champion because it’s going to be a very tight competition,” said McKenney.

“This is going to be one of the best competitions for diving at the City Meet in a long, long time,” said assistant coach Charlie Rowe. “All three schools have outstanding divers and younger divers who are doing very well.”

Silva said the entire City Meet should be an exciting one. “The Tech pool will be rocking like a DJ out of control with all with all the enthusiasm for the sport when the three teams show off against each other,” said Silva.

As a freshman, Gonzalez has been an impressive newcomer to long-time coach Brad Tilley’s program. English’s Holland, who is competing in first-year coach Lisa Trahant’s program, joins her brother Eddie, a former Bulldogs’ swimmer, as a qualifier for the Sectional Meet.

“Diving seems to run in that family pretty well,” said McKenney.

Tilley credits McKenney for motivating the divers to reach a high level of excellence.

“Don is bringing these kids along really strong,” said Tilley. “My assistant coach John Hogan recruited Diyan from gym class and he’s already broken the Lynn Tech record that was set by Marcos Castellano who’s swimming for Gordon College. And Don is a just a great coach.”

He’s taking a significant structure, vacant for years and literally crumbling but with some remaining architectural integrity and he’s having it remade.

This is good business and exactly what ought to be done on Central Avenue on this precious and almost beautiful section of a once booming downtown Lynn Street.

“This is just the first step in moving forward to make something happen downtown,” Cowdell told the Journal.

Indeed.

Next door to the former stationery shop, which featured an interior deck which substituted for a second floor,  and a wide open space on its street floor, Raw Arts has transformed its brick structure from something almost useless into an outstanding example of what an urban art institute and gallery should look like.

With the jewelry shop anchoring one end of the block and John Olson’s Columbia Insurance company anchoring the entirely rehabbed building next to the former stationary shop a the center of the block, the block has a chance to become something unique instead of standard Lynn bill of fare.

“I shopped at Arnold’s Stationery Store from the time I was a kid,” Cowdell recalled.

He knows of what he said.

Who among us who are over 50 and from this city or surrounding towns didn’t shop at that stationery store?

But the era of the stationery store ended ages ago and the building has stood as a silent and empty reminder of Lynn’s downtown fortunes.

Thirty-three Central Avenue was always a building with grace and charm and its interior was warm and a throwback to a time long past with hard wood floors, high ceilings, the interior deck and a wide stairway up to it. And the place was filled with stationery and school supplies and everything that writers needed.

According to Cowdell, about $1 million will be spent to remake the former stationery building into an artist’s building.

“At least 8 artists will be living in spacious lofts conducive to their work when this rehabilitation is complete,” he said. “We’re trying to put people into this area who will contribute to the creation of the artists district which we have already established,” he added.

Cowdell said the rality of the project is that it will create new activity that builds on activity already present.

The immediate area has become the residence for dozens of artists and younger people living in older, rehabbed loft and artist’s spaces.

In this instance, the city has an idea about what it is aiming for.

This isn’t a pie in the sky effort.

This is about adding to the successes already achieved on this block by the EDIC under Cowdell.

The jewelry store, Raw Arts and now the stationery store rehabs are all connected. They all make sense.

Together, they are helping to change the public face and persona of this city by bringing back to life the downtown on this block of Central Avenue.

Nice work EDIC.

Wyoma Little League will join the arrangement for the 2012 season, becoming the final organization to compete with Pine Hill, Lynn Shore, West Lynn American, and East Lynn in weekly games.

“Wyoma will be doing it for the first time,” said District 16 Administrator Joe Baglieri. “This will be the first year of full inter-league play in Lynn.”

Baglieri said he endorsed the idea when the Lynn presidents approached him with the idea.

“Wyoma always had enough teams to play only intra-league games,” said Baglieri. “But they’re down to five teams and it’s easier for their schedule to play inter-league. I’m happy that all five leagues are now in the schedule.”

It is not clear yet whether the inter-league games will count toward each league’s regular season standings. The five league champions do compete in the Lynn City Series each year.

Chad Wilkins, past president of Wyoma, is pleased with Wyoma’s addition to inter-league play.

“I think it’s fabulous,” said Wilkins. “It will be a good chance for our kids to play against other kids from other parts of the city who might see each other in other sports. It’s good to mingle with the other leagues.”

District 16 Administrator Joe Baglieri told the Lynn Journal that the district membership has decreased by one for the 2012 season.

“Salem American and Salem National has merged its two leagues into one,” said Baglieri. “We now have 18 leagues in District 16.”

What that means is that Salem Little League should be a formidable opponent in the District 16 Williamsport Tournament. Peabody West is the reigning champion, having come out of the losers’ bracket to stun Wyoma Little League in the finals last year.

“Salem merged because they felt it was in their best interests to do so,” said Baglieri. “Their numbers were shrinking and they had boundary issues with the way they set up the city. The voting wards had changed and that’s how their Little League boundaries were set up and it was creating a big nightmare. Little League Baseball agreed to let them merge.”

Interestingly, there has been talk, albeit unofficial conversations among Lynn LL presidents, about Lynn Little Leagues dividing the city into two and creating East Lynn and West Lynn organizations. That would mean just two 12-year-old All-Star teams and it goes without saying that Lynn would be a contender for a state title and the Little League World Series almost ever year. Could you imagine some of the talent Lynn could put on the baseball field if there had been only two All-Star teams in the past?

A recent School Committee vote on a new deputy superintendent hire – Susan Rowe – reveals that three members of the School Committee get it and four don’t.

Ms. Rowe will be paid $121,000 with a confidential secretary who will likely earn $50,000 and she, Ms. Rowe, will also receive a $350 a month car allowance.

Voting against her were: Donna Coppola, Rick Starbard and Maria Corrasco. All three should receive medals for understanding the plight of this city and how virtually nothing will change in the public schools in this city because of Ms. Rowe and whatever she is presumably going to do.

Voting for her, for an additional $190,000 in expenses during a time when the public schools are struggling to remain relevant, were: Mayor Judith Flanagan-Kennedy, Patricia Capano, John Ford, and Charles Gallo.

Their votes were not about profiles in courage.

They were about saying OK to a plush, easy, guaranteed new job with great benefits – and for what? What exactly will Ms. Rowe do to make the public schools a better place in this city?

Virtually nothing. That is the answer.

Superintendent of Schools Catherine Latham makes something like $180,000 a year when you add it all up. Now her second in command adds about $190,000 to that with her secretary and car allowance. That’s a nearly $400,000 total – and for what?

We are absolutely certain Ms. Latham could carry on quite nicely without Ms. Rowe coming on board.

Had Ms. Rowe’s position not been filled and her job duties split up with all the highest paid administrators, the city could have saved almost $200,000 which might reasonably be spent for additional teachers and added teaching resources in a school system that is not scoring many victories as the public schools are made up of only those students whose parents can’t afford for their educations elsewhere.

It is, we believe, a sad commentary on the times when $200,000 to achieve absolutely nothing but giving out two easy jobs and a car allowance satisfies the mayor and three of her colleagues on the School Committee.

We again thank Ms. Coppola, Ms. Carrasco and Mr. Starbard for refusing to vote for these new positions and allowances at a time when the system is crying out for more money in order to save teachers’ jobs. What’s good for the private sector should be good for the public sector – but apparently not in Lynn where the gravy train continues at the expense of our children.