To the editor:
The City of Lawrence cannot afford to have Mayor William Lantigua resign from the Great and General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at this time. If he did, the city would have to hold a primary and a final election to replace him. The cost would be approximately $200,000 and the final election would not be until April. In July, the state representatives will probably recess until November to campaign for re-election.
During the mayoral campaign Rep. Lantigua demonstrated his ability to work 16-hour days or longer and with today's technology there is no reason to believe he would not be in constant communications with both offices. I urge Rep. Lantigua to remain in office, but not run for re-election. Hopefully a newly elected state representative would take office the day after the election in November of 2010 with the blessing of Mayor Lantigua.
Richard E. Shafer
Lawrence
