Questions after former Florida secretary is named Lawrence community services director

LAWRENCE (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) - The recent hire of a former Florida secretary to the community services director position in Lawrence is raising questions.

The Eagle Tribune reports Marisabel Melendez, the daughter of politically prominent Isabel Melendez, has spent the last seven years working as a secretary for the Bair Middle School in Sunrise.

Marisabel Melendez will lead the region's anti-poverty agency, but according to the Eagle Tribune, her duties at her last position mostly involved answering phones and filing.

Marisabel Melendez was making $20,588 a year when she worked as a secretary, the newspaper reports.

The Greater Lawrence Community Action Council is defending its decision to give the community services director position to Marisabel Melendez, saying she was hired based on her experience, not because she is Isabel Melendez's daughter.

Read more: Eagle Tribune