RONNIE'S RANTS
Kids, Sports &
Politics
Ronnie
Ford
Police Athletic League
The Police Athletic League is an
organization that keeps young kids in
Lawrence busy and out of trouble. We know
it as the PAL.
It is run on a shoestring budget by a man
named Bill Benjamin. Hundreds of kids
have six nights a week of basketball, or
a visit to Fenway Park, or maybe a
spaghetti dinner put on by The Sons of
Italy and my good friend and former
classmate, John Mele. All this under the
direction of Bill Benjamin. Without this
program a lot of youngsters would be out
of luck and up to their necks in street
trouble, jail or even worse.
There is a need for more kids to
participate, but money problems exist.
Anyone interested in helping financially
can contact Ronnie Ford at 978-686-3365
and I will put you in touch with Bill
Benjamin. By the way, if we are
successful, lets give a tip of the
cap to Mr. Harold Magoon of the
Lawrence-Methuen Coalition for
remembering the kids on Prospect Hill. He
was instrumental in enabling them to join
PAL.
Tech School Sports
What do you think about what is happening
at one of my favorite institutions - The
Greater Lawrence Technical High School?
Their sports program is paramount. The
wrestling program ranks right at the top
throughout the commonwealth.
For two years in a row, they have won the
division 2 state championship! This is
unheard of! For a vocational school to
win it once was the first time in state
history; but they repeated the effort!
Thats fifty straight wins, these
kids are incredible!
Also, their future looks bright because
of the returning lettermen. Coach Tony
Sarkis and his brother Coach Deeb, along
with Coach Dube, have done a remarkable
job with these youngsters.
Tony has been named coach of the year
twice throughout the state and within the
league. Thats not all.... Coach
Tony and Coach Deeb (get this) took over
a football program that was down and
floundering; and with many of their
wrestlers, won twelve games this year
-including the division 3 Super Bowl at
Gillette stadium in Foxboro.
Guess who was coach of the year statewide
and in his conference for football? Yup,
Tony Sarkis! The Sarkis brothers
and the kids greatest fans are the
faculty and school board. Coach Sarkis
demands schoolwork first, checks their
grades, stays in touch with their
families and is an absolute stickler when
it comes to showing respect to all
teaches, opposing coaches and players.
I dont want to forget some of the
other programs - the girls and boys
basketball teams are also doing well,
along with many of the other different
teams. If you want to see a real classy
school, stop by for one of their great
meals at the school restaurant. Check it
out for yourself.
State Rep Race in Methuen
It didnt take long, but guess what?
The battle lines are being drawn with the
impending joust between The Lady Linda
(Campbell) and Crashin Chris DiBella. And
enter Joe Leone! I wonder why? And the
prize? A seat in the House of
Representatives, commonly referred to as
the Great and General Court.
Be careful Sir Knight. Watch what you
say! Many political observers feel
DiBella might have been the champion had
he not been branded with the endorsement
of an organization that was somewhat
unpopular. Certainly DiBellas quest
for the Methuen seat in the House will be
formidable. Sit back and relax - this one
could be a corker.
I attended a fundraiser at Jacksons
Restaurant. The affair was hosted by that
apex of political machinations Mike
McLoughlin, former everything.
The party had its usual guest list of
Director of, CEO of, Assistant Secretary
of, oh yes, and a man named Tim Murray.
As sure as God made little green apples,
Murray is not known to many people. He is
your Lt. Governor. McLoughlin put on a
great party; introducing everybody in
North America. Hillary, why dont
you wake up and hire Mike? He is one guy
you wont have to fire!
Baddour Brings the Gov.
DiBurros in Haverhill was packed
with black suits and red-striped ties.
Women dressed to kill, perfume and
shaving lotion hung like a heavy mist
over Steve Baddours fund raiser.
The Governor himself received all the top
contributors. Ronnie sat in his car and
read about John Adams until the poor
people showed up. And believe me there
were plenty of them. The food was great
and the walls came close to implosion.
I love the political season. Just to
watch the humorous reactions and actions
are enough to make you tingle. (Tingle,
not tinkle). Although sometimes some
people really do tinkle me off! I leave
you with this: politicians give an
aspirin a headache!
May the good Lord take a liking to you
and do something nice for someone today.
Ronnie Ford is a Methuen resident,
the former host of the Hot
Line radio program, a former
Methuen police officer and a former
member of the Methuen school committee
and city council.
You can email Ronnie at Radiotalk@comcast.net
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
All pictures and
material are
(C) copyright, Valley Patriot, Inc., 2008
|