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Life
As a Couniclor
Methuen Councilor Kathleen Corey
Rahme
(07/03/07)
Before I
took office in January of 2004, I had many dreams and
aspirations about what I could do for the betterment of
the city of Methuen. It should always be the goal of
elected leaders to work for their city and to make an
impact of some kind. Let me tell you; it is not all
ribbon cutting! I have had good luck in my ability to
help my constituents and the rewards have been great. It
is very satisfying to know when people call you; they are
able to feel they received service.
I planned to devise a way for our youth to get involved
and be part of the fabric of our community. It is when
you participate that you take ownership. It is that
commitment that lends itself to making Methuen a better
place and neighborhoods safer. There is a willingness to
give back to the city in which you live.
I organized the Methuen Youth Corps so that the young
people would be able to become active in their community
and at the same time resume build. This has become
so important to all aspects of entry into private high
school, scholarship and eventually college. These young
people participate in a variety of activities both in the
nonprofit arenas and for our city. They take on projects
that benefit others and themselves. Oral testimony after
many of these service projects reflect that the young
people of Methuen actually gain more than they give from
these projects.
Another goal that I had as a city councilor has been to
motivate individuals to be part of the solution when they
are faced with challenges to their neighborhoods.
Whenever there has been a proposed zoning change or any
development, I have worked with neighbors and
neighborhoods to seek relief and try to work toward a
mutually agreeable end. I have created neighborhood
associations throughout the city and fostered and
nurtured already existing ones. I am so proud to have
worked with so many energetic people and families
throughout the city. Let me give a shout out to some of
them. I have worked with the Birchwood Estates, Ashland
Avenue, Oakside Avenue, Myona Street, and Fenwick Circle,
Morrison Court, Washington Apartments, Hampshire Road,
Oakland Street and Linda Avenue neighborhoods to name a
few.
I was successful in amending the existing zoning law by
eliminating the 50 acre requirement. The zoning law
stated that if a property was over 50 acres, then the
abutters needed to be notified of zoning changes. If it
was less than 50 acres, no notification was
necessary. It was archaic because there are few
pieces of land in Methuen that are that size. This change
has given much needed relief to neighbors and abutters.
They will always be formally notified whenever any parcel
of land is proposed for a rezone.
I worked tirelessly with the Ashland Avenue/Gill Aven-ue
neighborhood to make a difference in the Gill Avenue
Park. I put forth legislation to amend the
Massachusetts General Law that requires a 1000 foot drug
free zone in schools and only a 100 foot zone around
parks. I tried to change the park to 1000 feet. The city
council passed it unanimously and a Home Rule petition
was sent to the State House. We attended a hearing and
testified before the Joint Judiciary Committee.
Unfortunately, it was given the kiss of death and sent to
study. Attached to the existing legislation is a minimum,
mandatory sentence so I think the legislators who work as
defense attorneys on the side didnt like the
original legislation to begin with.
I put forth legislation this year to protect local access
television and it was passed unanimously. As a
participant and a consumer of local access television, I
see the importance of maintaining it at the local level.
Competition has always existed. I testified against the
proposed legislation to take it out of local control at
the State House last month. I believe we were successful
in having the State Legislature take a long look into the
ramifications if the Bill were to pass.
One of the most fun things I have enjoyed participating
in are all the parades in Methuen and Lawrence. I
especially like being invited to events for children at
schools and scouting. As a Scouter for 15 years myself,
as both a leader and girl scout, I really like being
invited.
I think it is interesting that some things have no easy
fixes. The proposed natural gas pipeline in East Methuen
was beyond local control and the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission is set up specifically to take it
out of local control. There have been other things that
dont have ready fixes but for the most part,
calling your councilor or this councilor has yielded good
results.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to have served at
the pleasure of the citizens in Methuen; first elected as
the Central District Councilor, 2004-2006, and now as the
Councilor at Large and Vice Chair. I feel personally
satisfied with my record and voting history. I have tried
my best to serve my constituents. I have done all that I
can do as a legislator at this time. I am ready for a
challenge and I would be honored to continue my work in
Methuen serving as your next Mayor.
Kathleen Corey Rahme is the former Central
District Councilor in Methuen and was elected as a city
councilor at large in 2005. She is also the
vice chair of the city council and founder of the Methuen
Youth Corps. Kathleen is a candidate for mayor of
Methuen. She also hosts Call to Serve. You
can email her at kcoreyrahme @comcast.net
*Send your questions comments to ValleyPatriot@aol.com
The July 2007 Edition of
the Valley Patriot
The Valley Patriot is a Monthly
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All Contents (C) 2007, Valley Patriot, Inc.
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