An irate Fall River mayor Edward M. Lambert Jr. said Friday he will barge into Willard?s office to make a case for southeastern Massachusetts if His Excellency does not visit the region.
"I think it?s time to get angry," Lambert said, according to the Herald News.
The paper continued: "During Romney?s administration, Lambert said, the governor has delayed or stopped a variety of undertakings for southeastern Massachusetts, including the Route 79 project, the commuter rail project, a new courthouse in Fall River, work on Government Center and access ramps from Route 24 to the proposed Executive Office Park.
"’They have so consistently rained on our parade, and it?s time they be called on it,’ Lambert said. ‘I think it?s time say we will not be treated that way.’
"Earlier this year, Lambert said he sent a letter to Romney inviting the governor to visit Fall River, but was turned down.
"’I?ve gotten no response other than a phone call from a staff person who said (Romney) doesn?t have time and can?t commit,’ Lambert said.
"Yet Lambert said Romney still found time to travel to different parts of the country — possibly to build support for a 2008 presidential run.
"’He spoke in South Carolina to the state Republican Party, and he has been raising money in Iowa and other places, and he can?t find time to come to Fall River,’ Lambert said.
"’His job is here, not lining up a future presidential bid.’
"Lambert said he will be joining with others to ‘reissue that invitation … to insist (Romney) visit this part of the state for something other than a political fund-raiser.’If Romney refuses, Lambert said, he will ‘lead a group to his office, uninvited, and press the case for the Southcoast.’
"Romney spokesman Felix Browne declined to comment on the conversation."
