Nelson Benton
July 10, 2009 05:00 am Organizers of the Beverly Farms Horribles Parade, whose 2008 depiction of pregnant Gloucester teens created a firestorm of controversy, were determined not to offend this year. But that parade itself became the target of some of the marchers in the Salem Willows Horribles Parade, held, like the one in the Farms, the morning of July 4. Proving once again that no good deed goes unpunished. Americans value their right to express themselves, however inappropriately. (Now if only they put as much emphasis on learning how to spell. Cemetary?) So in addition to the jibe at their neighbors across the bay ("Come to the Willows, we let you speak"), there was a float depicting the "Gloucester Babysitters Club," and another rather inappropriate reference to the pregnancies among high-school students that brought the city such unwanted publicity last year. Of course that reference to Beverly being the birthplace of the U.S. Navy might mean trouble for some of those who participated in the Willows parade. Marbleheaders are likely to take offense. ¬¢¬¢¬¢ There weren't many political references in the Willows parade. But one group made its opposition to the building of a new senior center in the neighborhood clear, suggesting that those who wanted a waterfront site might look elsewhere — like Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. Fortunately, the City Council has already gone on record in favor of Mayor Kim Driscoll's proposal to make the senior center part a redevelopment plan for the long-vacant lot at the corner of Bridge and Boston streets. ¬¢¬¢¬¢ Meanwhile, Salem is still basking in the favorable reviews its nighttime celebration of the Fourth received. The event at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, including a concert by the Hillyer Festival Orchestra and fireworks, drew a record crowd to Derby Wharf. It all went off pretty much without a hitch. Even the weather cooperated. Driscoll had to do a little extra arm-twisting this year to raise money for the event, which is funded almost exclusively by donations from local businesses. Those giving the most money once again were retailer Target and Dominion, owner of Salem Harbor Station. Asked how much HealthLink, which wants Dominion's power plant closed, contributed to the festivities, Driscoll simply laughed. ¬¢¬¢¬¢ Beverly Ward 2 Councilor Wes Slate is organizing an alternative Independence Day celebration next Friday, July 17, which marks the 233rd anniversary of the reading of the Declaration of Independence by Col. Mark Glover to members of the American Army regiment based in the city. The event will be held, appropriately, at Independence Park overlooking Salem Sound and will feature, according to Slate, "cake, popcorn and a salute to Beverly's history." The event gets underway at 6:30 p.m. ¬¢¬¢¬¢ Bad enough Peabody Councilor at large David Gravel wants to take away elected officials' health insurance, now one citizen is suggesting they do without bottled water. Gravel, who took advantage of the benefit as a member of the School Committee but no longer does so, recently suggested that the city look into kicking all elected officials off the plan as a means of saving money. Councilors recently voted to increase their contribution, but it's still a very good deal. We recently received a copy of an anonymous letter sent to councilors suggesting that since recent tests show the city's water is fine to drink, they dispense with the bottled product. ¬¢¬¢¬¢ More on why we need newspapers: A Peabody blog recently reported, incorrectly as it turned out, that Keith Doucette, who ran unsuccessfully for School Committee in 2007, would be running for Ward 6 councilor this fall. The blogger subsequently apologized, adding, "I am not a paid reporter and do not have all the time in the world to check everything myself." ¬¢¬¢¬¢ Nelson Benton writes on North Shore politics. Read him daily at blogs.salemnews.com/fullnelson.
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