Politicians and members of the university community were in good spirits, despite the drizzle, Wednesday afternoon for the dedication of the newest residence hall on Salem State's Central Campus.
Those in attendance included Congressman John Tierney and Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll, both alumni of the school; Senate Majority Leader Fred Berry, D-Peabody, described by Massachusetts State College Building Authority chairman James Morris as "probably the most popular guy in the Statehouse"; state Sen. Tom McGee, D-Lynn; state Reps. John Keenan of Salem, Ted Speliotis of Danvers, and Lori Ehrlich of Marblehead; and Salem City Councilors Joe O'Keefe and Tom Furey.
"Go Vikings!" Driscoll, who played varsity basketball there, declared as she welcomed students and others.
Holding up a piece of turf, Keenan joked that while the Legislature had appropriated the money for the brand-new sod decorating the quad and other outdoor spaces, there was no money left for watering — so it was a good thing it was raining.
In reality, the cost of the bonds that were floated to pay for the $57.5-million, 525-bed dorm are entirely supported by student room-and-board fees. (Morris noted that changing a single word in the enabling legislation — requiring that these funds "shall," rather than "may" — be devoted to paying off the bonds, saved his agency $7 million in borrowing costs.)
As was the case several weeks ago when Salem was among several state colleges granted university status, there was much praise for the North Shore's legislative delegation and its efforts on behalf of the school.
Indeed, it would be hard to find another region of the state that has been favored with the amount of capital spending on education this area has seen in recent years.
Marsh Hall is the second dorm to be built at Central Campus within the past six years; work is due to begin soon on a new library to replace the one scheduled for demolition this fall; the North Shore Community College campus in Danvers opened a large new classroom building several years ago and work is progressing on a $31.1-million facility for its allied health programs; and the state has committed to providing the bulk of the $133 million for the new regional vocational school to be built on the Essex Aggie campus in Danvers.
• • •
Meeting with editors in North Andover on Wednesday, Democratic state auditor candidate Guy Glodis sought to downplay the flap over his having received a $20,000 "personal loan" via a childhood friend in the same month he donated a similar amount to his campaign. Glodis was running for his current job as Worcester County sheriff at the time.
"I must be the frontrunner, because they're whacking me left and right," Glodis said, suggesting that someone in the opposition had been dropping dimes.
He claims the matter was thoroughly reviewed by the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance, which found no cause for action.
Curiously, Glodis said he did not have a copy of the OCPF finding with him, but said it was on file. A quick search of the agency's Web site revealed nothing on that case, but did turn up a February 2009 "public resolution letter" scolding the Glodis campaign for "the receipt of excess money order and corporate contributions and the deposit of individual contributions intended for your campaign into your personal account."
• • •
Talk about going toe to toe. The Beverly Republican and Democratic campaign headquarters are located practically next door to each other at 194 and 196 Cabot St., respectively. The Republicans will hold their monthly meeting at 194 Cabot St. this Sunday at 6 p.m.
No Limits for Disabled Hunters at Mich. Base
Victim Identified in Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Radioactive Bluefin Tuna Crossed the Pacific
90 Guns Seized, Dozens Arrested in Oakland
Raw Video: Hail Storm Batters Oklahoma City
6-Year-Old Going to National Spelling Bee
California's Foie Gras Ban About to Begin
Video Essay: Funky Winkerbean Comic Turns 40
Hurricane Andrew Remembered, 20 Years Later
Judge's Ruling Halts Tenn. Mosque Construction
Romney in Las Vegas on Texas Primary Day
Sister Says She Reported Brother in Patz Killing
Even Fla. Police Shocked by Face-Mauling Attack
Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
