Letter to the Editor of the Eagle-Tribune
Mayor Fiorentini has taken credit
for the new businesses that have moved into Haverhill but is
completely quiet on the closings of businesses. It was, therefore
disappointing to read that another longstanding Haverhill business
has closed its doors. The Circuit Board Express manufacturing
company, that had been in business for 16 years (with 23 employees),
closed for business last May. It was unfortunate that this closing
took the leaders of Haverhill by surprise; one would think that
the leaders would be more engaged with the business community
here in Haverhill and know who was in trouble.
Mayor Fiorentini touts what he
has done for Haverhill. However, he rarely comments about any
bad news for Haverhill and data from the Department of Revenue
paints a different picture than the Mayor would have us believe.
The Merrimack Valley Planning
Commission backed with data from the Massachusetts Department
of Revenue concludes that for the past 7 years the number of
businesses in Haverhill have increased a miniscule 0.5% on average
per year and job growth has only crept-up at an average of 1.2%
per year since Mayor Fiorentini took office in 2004. These are
startling statistics!
Mayor Fiorentini has publicly
praised his leadership for all the new growth revenue for the
city from commercial expansion (Target, Lowes, etc.) However,
the published facts from the Department of Revenue reveal that
the average new growth revenue from commercial expansion under
Mayor Fiorentini is at best comparable to that of the two previous
Mayors. The only exception is an anomaly that occurred in Fiscal
Year (FY) 2008. The bump in new growth revenue that year was
due mostly to an increased value in the utility companies (e.g.
National Grid) because they put expensive new equipment on line
that year.
There is no evidence, based on
the Massachusetts Department of Revenue's unbiased data that
Haverhill has had the success Mayor Fiorentini claims. We need
a new approach. Mr. Michitson's web site shows a compelling bit
of information and a plan to bring business here. I am inclined
to agree with his approach. My income is flat, my taxes are higher
and services have been cut to the bone. Obviously we need the
relief and tax help that this kind of growth would bring.
Elizabeth Aicher
Haverhill, MA
