State Rep. Estela Reyes 7/23
I want to start off this month by wishing the absolute best to all of the hardworking high school and college graduates in Lawrence and Methuen who received their diplomas this June.
I am so inspired when I see the accomplishments of our young people and hear the excitement in their voices about opportunities in the future.
Last month, I was happy to hold a neighborhood meeting with residents of Arnold St. in Methuen with the Methuen Police Department and specifically Chief McNamara to address multiple public safety concerns in the neighborhood, including pavement damage from gas line work, branches dangerously close to power lines, and access to emergency services.
I look forward to coordinating with city officials and neighborhood residents to assist the corrective process as much as possible.
This is truly my favorite part of my job as your Methuen State Representative. While many in government service see working with the public as a mandatory chore, it really is the one thing that energizes me to serve the public better.
It is one thing to go out into the community and speak at a microphone or make a speech, but it is far more important to me to listen to what you have to say about the issues affecting our community.
I am also working with the Methuen Superintendent of Schools Kwong, and the delegation on the establishment of a Methuen Youth Center.
This is something that former rep. and senator (now State Auditor) Diana DiZoglio has worked on for years and I applaud Auditor DiZoglio for getting this idea off the ground.
Because of her efforts, this process is in its early stages, but I am working very hard with local and state officials to make this a reality for the people of Methuen.
I look forward to moving this project forward in what will be a very strong partnership with the community to help the young people of Methuen.
But we can’t do it alone. We need the help of local residents, businesses, and non-profits to make this happen. So, I hope you will reach out to me and let me know your thoughts and ideas on how we can create a youth center that will service the young people of Methuen.
Lastly, I was very pleased last month to attend the grand opening of Pho City in Methuen at the Loop with several business partners.
In an economy where many businesses are struggling or going out of business, it is always good to see new businesses opening and providing needed goods and services to the public.
The owners of Pho City also own Methuen Nails & Lash as well as the Gong Cha next door. I want to encourage all my Valley Patriot readers to come down to Pho City and check them out!
The more we patronize local businesses like this, the stronger our local economy gets, and the better our lives become in the Merrimack Valley.
Please feel free to email my legislative aid Tom Baranowski at thomas.baranowski@mahouse.gov if you have any questions or concerns. ◊