Lawrence City Councilor Marc Laplante

09/07/2026

This week we unveiled the new PVT Maurice F Murphy Square sign at the Haverhill St, Newberry St, and Brook St intersection . Murphy was one of the first Lawrence residents to serve in World War I, albeit with the British Commonwealth army. He transferred to the American forces when the United States entered the war. After the war, he served as a water reader for the Essex company before he tragically was killed when he was hit by a train.  Here is a brief snippet from my research that will be published later.

"Murphy initially fought with the Royal Field Artillery of the British Army, where he served in most of their drives and received the British Military Medal. He then transferred to the United States Army in 1918 when the US entered the war and fought with his home country in the Argonne sector with Battery D, 342 Field Artillery, 89th Division. When he returned to Lawrence after the war, he worked for the Essex Company for 10 years as a canal water level reader. His job consisted of testing the water in the canals and the Merrimack River and he would typically work the 6pm-3am shift. Tragedy struck on the evening of November 3 after taking the reading of the height of the river.”

More information about Murphy’s life can be found here: https://queencityma.wordpress.com/2026/09/03/maurice-f-murphy-square/

09/01/2026

Here is the update I just received from the Lawrence Police Department:

“The most recent update on yesterday's shooting incident is that all three victims are currently being treated at Boston-area hospitals. Their conditions vary.

Investigators are actively pursuing leads and working to identify a person of interest. This remains an active investigation, and the information available is subject to change as additional details are confirmed.”

Here is my quote in the Boston Globe coverage of the story:

“Lawrence City Councilor Marc Laplante emphasized that Lawrence as a city is generally safe.

‘It’s tragic. It’s horrendous…It’s appalling to see that happening in our city,” he said of Monday’s shooting. “My fear is when things like this are publicized, it gives a misimpression that this is standard, this is what happens all the time. And this couldn’t be further from the truth.’”

The shooting occurred in the area of Crawford and Exeter streets, State Police said.

08/31/2026

A brief FB interview with Lissy Rivas.

08/31/2026

I’m at the scene where three teens were shot inside the stadium project area. The youngest teen has serious injuries. The incident took place after school dismissal. In talking with law-enforcement officials, I feel confident that they have identified the shooter and actively securing their arrest. Plenty of law-enforcement officials here, including mass State Police, various divisions within Lawrence Police, and environmental Police. I also feel confident that the area is secure. As an aside, plenty of media and 3 helicopters. 

08/28/2026

This week we unveiled the new Capt James A. Mulligan Square sign at the Everett St and Salem St intersection. Mulligan served as a naval fighter pilot. He was held as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam for seven years after his plane was shot down. Here is a brief snippet from my research that will be published later.

"Mulligan ejected, and after about 15 to 20 minutes lying in a rice paddy unconscious, was found by locals and brought to the North Vietnamese authorities. This would be the first of his 2522 days in captivity as a POW. He was held and tortured in several locations including the “Hanoi Hilton” and “Alcatraz.” "They put three sets of irons on my legs and made me kneel. Then they roped my wrists and arms behind my back, pulling them so tight I thought my chest would burst and my arms would fall off . . . they beat me about the head and body; dragged me about the room by my ears and hair . . . . I pleaded pitifully for mercy but to no avail." The worse was Alcatraz where 11 prisoners were singled out at the Hanoi Hilton because of their resistance. Mulligan’s cell “was ten feet long, a little more than four feet wide.” Here, Mulligan was in solitary conferment and slept in leg irons with a maggot infested sanitation bucket used to relieve himself. He was provided very little food.”

More information about Mulligan’s life can be found here: https://queencityma.wordpress.com/2026/08/27/james-a-mulligan-square/

08/27/2026

The City Council received news that the court ordered that any transfer of property to the LRA requires Council approval. Good news to residents is that these proposals that would increase housing units by the thousands now must receive council approval. Short of a loss in a possible appeal, these proposals pictured are likely obsolete.

08/27/2026

Attached is our LSP schedule for September. We have a firefighter (Ord), a police officer (Michael Murphy), a WW1 Vet (Maurice Murphy), and a WW2 Vet who was killed in action (Perry). Each has a story worth knowing and a life worth remembering. Please join us we rededicated their corners with new signs.

08/23/2026

Last week we unveiled the new Phillip V. Moore Square sign at the Isabel Melendez St (Concord St) and Broadway intersection. Moore was a Bronze Star recipient as an infantry man during WW2 and veterans advocate when he returned from the war. Here is a brief snippet from my research that will be published later.

"Besides the Bronze Star for bravery, he received the Purple Heart for injuries in combat, and the Combat Infantryman’s Medal for his participation in ground combat. When he returned home, he worked as a short order cook at Cedar Crest during the early morning shift. ‘At 5am, he opened the restaurant and there would be people waiting for Phil Moore’s oatmeal,’ said Frank Cain in an Eagle Tribune article. ‘There was many a guy who came in and didn’t have a dime, but they had a meal because Phil Moore gave it to them.’”

More information about Moore’s life can be found here: https://queencityma.wordpress.com/2026/08/19/phillip-v-moore-square/

08/19/2026

City council discussions should be in public.

Lawrence residents voiced concerns Tuesday night after learning Mayor Brian DePeña is facing federal charges of wire fraud and money laundering, with some calling for transparency as the City Council considered how to respond.

08/14/2026

This week we unveiled the new Joseph V. Miele Square sign at the Lawrence St and Chestnut St intersection. Miele was a Lawrence High School graduate who fought in the Korean War. He was killed in action on the legendary Heartbreak Ridge. Here is a brief snippet from my research that will be published later.

"Miele was 16 years old when World War 2 ended. Certainly, he and his classmates believed and hoped that the war’s end would usher a period of peace and prosperity. Little did he know when he received his diploma that within three years, another major war would break out and he would be in the middle of Korea fighting in one of the bloodiest battles in that war. Miele, a light weapons infantryman, died from wounds suffered in the battle at Heartbreak Ridge, six months after entering the army. He was killed by shrapnel while he was in a foxhole, during the time when the “on again, off again” peace negotiations between the North Koreans and the United States/United Nations broke down.”

More information about Miele’s life can be found here: https://queencityma.wordpress.com/2026/08/12/joseph-v-miele-square/