When Steve Hutcheson downloaded the audio book "Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln," he was expecting to learn a few things about the 16th president.
"I just wanted to see what I could learn from him," the at-large city councilor said.
By the time he was finished listening, however, it wasn't so much the president he learned from, but more from Willie Lincoln and the rest of the president's family.
"I didn't realize all the heartache and sacrifices his family went through during his presidency," Hutcheson said.
"Overwhelmed" by the sacrifices, especially of Willie, who died of typhoid fever while Lincoln was in the White House, Hutcheson said he is looking to make Feb. 20, the day of Willie's death, into a national day of honor for children of those who serve the country.
Hutcheson said it is especially important right now.
"Kids today are sacrificing especially when their parents are off serving in the war," he said.
So last week, the city councilor started sending off letters. One went to Sen. John Kerry. Another went to Congressman John Tierney. And another went to Joshua Bolton, the White House chief of staff.
"Please help to make February 20th a day that the country can remember and acknowledge both the large and small sacrifices that children endure while their parents serve our country," Hutcheson wrote in his letter to Kerry. "This is especially fitting now given the hardships faced by families of warfighters serving away from their families for long periods of time."
Hutcheson said he has yet to come up with what the day should be called.
Perhaps Willie Lincoln Day.
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The City Council's Planning and Development Committee will continue this week its public meetings regarding the senior center and Cushing Park.
Ed Cameron, the chairman of the committee, is hosting a meeting at 4 p.m. tomorrow at Cushing Park. The meeting will move back to City Hall at 5 p.m.
The public hearings aim to raise questions or concerns from residents about using the park as a location. Once public hearings are finished, the City Council is expected to vote on whether Cushing Park should be the location for the senior center.
Since his first term in office, Mayor John Moak has eyed Cushing Park as a location for a senior center, something city leaders have sought to build for decades.
Moak says he needs the City Council to designate the park as a location for a senior center before it can be built. More important, though, Moak says that without the designation, it is nearly impossible to come up with plans or to start the fundraising that is needed for the multi-million-dollar building.
Opponents of the location, mostly those in the neighborhood, say a senior center would decrease the amount of parking spaces at the park — which is mostly parking and not much traditional, grassy park. Neighbors use the park in the winter during snowstorms to get their vehicles off the street.
With a senior center, the park would retain some parking.
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With Memorial Day weekend also comes the unofficial kickoff to Newburyport's festival season.
This year's festival, Spring Fest, will include about 30 high-end arts and crafts vendors, music and food in Market Square and discounts at almost three dozens downtown shops and restaurants.
The events start at 10 a.m. Sunday with crafts booths on Pleasant and Inn streets continuing until 5 p.m. The booths, which feature jewelry, crafts, clothing, quilts and others, will reopen Monday at 10 a.m.
In addition, there will also be entertainment at Kids' Korner on Pleasant Street at the Tracy Place entrance. The entertainment will include a puppeteer and other performers.
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Commission, commission, who's the most peaceful of us all? The city will find out at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The Commission for Diversity and Tolerance will announce the 13th annual Peace Prizes at a ceremony in City Hall's second-floor auditorium. Residents are invited to attend the awards ceremony and dessert reception.
Awards will honor both students and adults "who exemplify the city's policy and the commission's mission to promote a sense of welcome, inclusion and worth for all and to eliminate prejudice, intolerance, discrimination, and acts of hate in our community."
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The following meetings are scheduled for this week:
Today:
Finance Subcommittee, superintendent's office, noon
School Committee, high school, Room 118, 6:30 p.m.
Tomorrow:
Design Review, Planning Department, 10 a.m.
Planning and Development Committee, Cushing Park, 4 p.m.
Planning and Development Committee, council chambers, 5 p.m.
Conservation Commission, council chambers, 7 p.m.
Wednesday:
Retirement Board, retirement office, 9:15 a.m.
Safety Committee, auditorium, 10 a.m.
Planning Board, council chambers, 7 p.m.
Thursday:
Wet Meadows/Cooper North Pasture, library director's room, 7 p.m.
Local Historic District Study Committee, police station conference room, 7:30 p.m.
Stephen Tait covers Newburyport City Hall for The Daily News. He can be reached at 978- 462-6666, ext. 3234, or by e-mail at stait@newburyportnews.com.
