Intelligencer

Remembering Jack Holland

JACK Holland and this writer did not see eye to eye on a number of issues, most notably Northern Ireland, and there was a fair amount of back and forth over the years between us.

There was one aspect to Holland that deeply impressed me, however. Every time we met – and in the relatively small Irish American community that was frequent – he never hesitated to give me a warm greeting, continuing our discussions free of rancor and finger pointing.

It was the mark of a true professional, and Holland was certainly that. Far too often in this community it is the bitter word or the turn away that dominates discussion, or lack of it, between persons of different views. It sometimes seems we lack the maturity to disagree without making it personal also. Holland was the very opposite of that.

Jack Holland was different, enjoying the give and take and fighting his corner without ever becoming personal or obnoxious. It was a rare trait in an Irish writer.

The last time I met him was when we ran into each other near the former Irish Echo offices on Fifth Avenue. We had been writing very different interpretations of the situation in the North at the time, but what followed was a free flowing discussion about our different views. We parted with a handshake and a promise to meet up again soon.

Alas, that will not happen now. Jack Holland was struck down at the young age of 56 from cancer, and his death has left Irish American journalism all the poorer.

He was often the contrarian voice on Northern Ireland, someone who did not agree with the cozy consensus on all the incredible benefits of the peace process. He wrote with a clear and distinctive style that left no doubt in the mind of his reader where he stood. He gave his opinion and stood by it.

He was also a talented writer of books. I read his work The Prisoner’s Wife some years ago and would highly recommend it both for its storyline and for its insights into life in Northern Ireland, a place he knew as intimately as anyone.

That was just one of the many books he wrote on topics, ranging from the North to fiction and poetry. He was a writer, a loving husband and father and someone who will be greatly missed in the Irish American community. All here at the Irish Voice send our condolences to his family. 

– Niall O’Dowd 

Meehan Seeks Kerry Seat

NOW that Senator John Kerry is running for president, we should not be surprised that the fact he’s giving up his Senate seat has drawn enormous interest among Massa-chusetts pols. After all, any open position in that state is akin to throwing raw meat to starving wolves.

As things currently stand, Republican Governor Mitt Romney can appoint a substitute for two years to fill in for Kerry when he quits. However, the state legislature in Massachusetts is controlled by Democrats, and they will likely seek to change the law to force a special election.

In which case Congress-man Marty Meehan has already strongly indicated that he will be a candidate. Indeed, Meehan was in New York gauging Irish support just this past weekend. The Lowell congressman is anxious to find out how he can be useful to the Irish American constituency.

He has promised to look at a Donnelly type immigration bill which would benefit the Irish and right some of the wrongs from the 1965 law which has almost destroyed European immigration. As a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee Meehan would be in a powerful position to help enact change.

Of course, Meehan will not be the only Irish Democrat in Massa-chusetts looking at the race. Congressman Ed Markey, for one, is expected to take a long look at running also, as is Congressman Richie Neal from the Springfield area and Congressman William Delahunt, who blotted his copy book with Irish Americans on an issue relating to Northern Ireland some time ago. 

No doubt we will have an interesting primary season coming up when it eventually happens.

Irish Seek to Defeat Engel

MEANWHILE, in New York a fully-fledged effort is underway in Republican Irish American circles to unseat Congressman Eliot Engel in the Bronx and replace him with John Fleming in the 17th Congressional District.

A lengthy letter on Fleming and why the Irish should support him has just begun circulating. Among those supporting Fleming are heavyweights such as former Congressman Mario Biaggi, Frank Dwyer and Pete Fitzpatrick, owners of the Playwright pubs and other businesses, and Jack Irwin, Governor Pataki’s Irish liaison.

The author of the letter is Patrick Hurley, the losing Republican candidate in Woodside in the recent City Council election who has earned quite a reputation for hard right wing views. Hurley invites everyone to a Fleming fundraiser in Yonkers in June, and clearly the intent is to raise Fleming’s profile in the Irish American community.

He has a tough task, however, defeating Engel, who is clearly out to protect his Irish American support. He played a key role recently in the release of Sean Mackin, the Westchester businessman who was held by police in Northern Ireland when he was home on vacation on charges relating to The Troubles. Engel will be tough to beat.

O’Dwyer the Peacemaker

LAWYER Brian O’Dwyer is another Irish powerbroker in local politics who will feel very happy after a front-page story in the New York Observer last week.

The story recounted how O’Dwyer brought together two warring Democrats, former New York City mayoral candidate Mark Green and mayoral wannabe Fernando Ferrer, for a breaking bread session which ended the nasty feud between the two.

Green defeated Ferrer in the mayoral primary before being defeated by Michael Bloomberg in the election proper. Wounds from that bitter primary fight still lingered, but with Green having statewide office ambitions and Ferrer looking to run against Bloomberg next year, both men had every reason to make up. It is quite a coup for O’Dwyer to bring it about.