Fr March Madness

WWW.HERALDNEWS.COM

The Herald News, Friday, March 20, 2009

B3

COMMENT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

POLLS

We need to meet the needs of all our neighbors

Is Fall River crazy? No – this is ‘Madness’

I had occasion to visit St. Anne’s church last Saturday morning across from Kennedy Park (South Park as I recall it), where I spent a great deal of time playing ball as a youngster and whittling away many a summer day. What I remember from those blissful days in the park was very different from what I witnessed on Saturday morning. As my wife and I approached the church, I commented that there must be a big wedding because of the large crowd gathered outside. As we got closer to the entrance of the lower level, we saw people, all sorts of people, leaving with bags in tow. There were families and individuals — some young, others old, some with children and some without, some well dressed and some not so well dressed, and still others with various other needs. What they all had in common was that they had not come to St. Anne’s for a spiritual reason or event. They were there for food assistance. In all the years I passed by St. Anne’s on my way to the park, I never witnessed people standing in a food line, and I was struck by what I saw. I recall my childhood years during the ’60s as one of great social change, but poverty never seemed to be as prevalent in those days. Ours was a very workingclass neighborhood and families seemed to get by and even get ahead on the modest wages most of our parents earned. The contrast between Saturday and my days in the neighborhood was palpable. You could feel their desperation and frustration and see the sadness on their faces as they filed through the line picking up a loaf of bread, a box of cereal and some canned goods and putting them in their bag. Even under the circumstances, not one of them failed to say thank you as they passed through the door I held as they headed out to the street. The need was something I had not seen since I worked in Phnom Penh, Cambodia several years ago. The national news highlighted a similar story recently in Elkhart, Ill., so we are not alone. But we should all be aware that you do not have to go too far to witness people who are truly in need. We sometimes forget that right here in our city there are tremendous needs. While we focus on our city budget, layoffs and bailouts, just below the surface is an entire class of our citizens that still need help and assistance. You do not have to look too far to find those less fortunate and in need of our attention. They are in all our neighborhoods, so let us not lose sight of everyone’s needs and not just those that shout the loudest or we hear from the most. We must all unite and come together and move toward the common goal of uplifting all our citizens and treating one another with dignity, respect and compassion, no matter what our station in life. David J. Dennis Fall River

New renaming policy should be retroactive It was certainly good news to read that the City Council has come up with a new policy on renaming parks, buildings, etc. There are many people now wishing the new policy would be retoractive for a year so the Slade School could get its name back. Frances Canulla Westport

W

hat’s the most important issue facing Fall River today? Welcome to March Madness, Fall River style. Two issues square off; only one can move on. The fun part: You get to decide.

Online at Heraldnews.com, readers can vote on who — or what — would win each “matchup.” The winners will advance for their next matchup and square off against other winners, until eventually a champion is crowned.

MARCH MADNESS FALL RIVER STYLE

ROUND ONE VOTE NOW!

We’ve seeded and paired Fall River’s Sweet 16 to get things going. Now it’s up to you. First Round voting is under way at Heraldnews.com and closes at noon on Monday. Or, play along by filling in the bracket below and see how you do.

’09

ROUND ONE VOTE NOW!

1) Education

2) The Economy

16) Redevelopment Authority

15) Arts District ROUND TWO MARCH 26-29

ROUND TWO MARCH 26-29 CHAMPIONSHIP APRIL 2-5

8) Mt. Trashmore

7) Crime

9) 2009 Political Campaigns FINAL FOUR MARCH 31

10) New England Gas Co.

FINAL FOUR MARCH 31

4) Municipal Layoffs

3) The Correia Administration

13) SouthCoast Rail Extension

14) Rats ROUND TWO MARCH 26-29

ROUND TWO MARCH 26-29

5) LNG

6) Potholes 2009 FALL RIVER CHAMPION

12) Foreclosures/ Mortgage Crisis

???

11) Downtown Parking

PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY FLOORING

AUTO FINANCING

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CLEAN OUTS/BUY OUTS

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ANYTHING OLD, ODD OR UNUSUAL

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EDUCATION & TRAINING

Bill’s Auto School

So. End between Meesum’s & McDonalds Next Class Starts March 16th

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