To the editor:
Last week a local veteran was walking by our home in Beverly and we spoke. I'd noticed he had a "John Burke for Mayor" sign in his yard.
"My daughter asked me to put it up," he said.
I told him the truth about Burke as I know it. He was horrified by what I said and responded, "People need to know about this."
People may not know or remember John Burke's conduct as a Ward 3 city councilor that led to his censure by his fellow councilors.
A soldier is awarded a Bronze Star and a Combat Action Badge for bravery and tested service under battle conditions. Decisions are made that save soldiers' lives or cost them. My husband, Beverly police Chief Mark Ray, is one of many such soldiers.
In 2005, Mark served his second combat tour of duty of his 30-year military career. He spent that year in Iraq in the dangerous Sunni Triangle of Death. For 22 years he also had served proudly and honorably with his fellow officers on the Beverly Police Department.
In 2007, Mayor Bill Scanlon, a former Navy officer, chose Mark to lead the Police Department based on Mark's unique service in Iraq and his professional approach to police work.
John Burke, a low-level employee at a state agency at that time, as well as the Ward 3 city councilor, didn't like the mayor's choice. In an effort to embarrass the mayor and create a political advantage for himself, Burke drafted an "anonymous" document making vile, unsubstantiated accusations about my husband, myself and another person. He then sent copies of his document to elected officials and other agencies. Burke tried to destroy the civilian career of a hometown war hero.
The mayor bravely stood by Mark during his appointment process, which turned into a carnival show. The mayor, knowing he'd picked a qualified candidate who would do a great job for Beverly residents, stood up for what was right, and what was best for Beverly.
Mayor Scanlon, the son of hardworking parents, is from Dorchester. His father worked as a meat packer. Though from modest means, Scanlon, who holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, has an impressive background as a proven manager. That's the kind of person who should be in charge of a nearly $100 million budget.
In contrast, Burke's conduct is one of a gutless coward who attacks people to bolster his own desires. Burke's oversized political signs are reflective of his over-inflated ego, but do not mask his lack of substance and his void of moral compass. He has a much touted (by him) but vague Web site which, if anything, shows he has zero qualifications to be mayor.
Over the years, the mayor has made decisions people don't like. But that's no reason to vote for an unqualified gadfly who could submarine this city into a severe financial crisis due to his combination of massive ego coupled with no real business skills.
The value of your house and the educational future of our children are riding on this election.
Corinne Ray
Beverly
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