Dracut Housing Authority member Brian Bond made the following statement at tonight’s Dracut Housing Authority Board Meeting:

Thank-you Mr. Chairman.

I would also like to thank all of the seniors that are here tonight.

Mr. Chairman I ask for this point of personal privilege so that I can have an opportunity to clear up the misconceptions that are now part of the public discourse. The first issue is the charge that my intentions are motivated by politics. That is simply NOT TRUE. I came to my first meeting on August 22, 2011. I was handed the agenda on the Friday before the meeting. I did not place anything on that agenda. That agenda included a discussion on the contract of the executive director. This was placed on the agenda AT THE REQUEST OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

Since that time, the Lowell politicians and their operatives have been applying political pressure on me and, unbelievably, my family. As the misquotes, half truths and name calling escalated, I began to believe that it goes with the territory. But to have this political pressure placed on my family goes beyond the bounds of decency. I have a family member that has been employed by the Lowell Housing Authority for approximately 20 years and has an excellent record of public service. Her superiors have been trying to get to me and have place undue burden on her in an attempt to influence me to vote for Mary Karabatsos. They have spoken to her while she is at work. I can only imagine how uncomfortable this is for her. When I heard this I was beginning to think that this was getting too much and going too far. Mary, these are your friends and former colleagues

Then, I spoke with my mother who is in her 70’s. She told me that while she was attending a wake for a friend of hers at a Lowell funeral home she was verbally harassed by a Lowell politician. To say that my mom was upset would be an understatement. Here is a woman whom I’ve always thought is the pillar of strength. As she is attending a wake, with her thoughts and emotions focused on the loss of another dear friend, she is a victim of political pressure. While this may be acceptable to some Lowell politicians, it is not acceptable to Dracut. If anyone wants to question Brian Bond, they should talk to Brian Bond and LEAVE MY FAMILY OUT OF IT.

I have read this statement to ensure that there are no misquotes, I have plenty of copies for anyone who wants one.

Brian Bond

To the absolute shock of no one, Ace Sun reporter Jenn Myers in the breaking news section of today’s Sun on line has a complete copy of the recommendations that “Acting” City Clerk Atty. Leahy has compiled.

No doubt this was released to strengthen the perceived need to have Atty. Leahy stay on as Acting Clerk.

Among the highlights:

“It should be noted that all of the problems listed above are the result of years of inattentiveness, be it though negligence, indifference or intentional acts; The sole exceptions belong the failure to comply with the open meeting and state ethics laws, which took effect on July 1, 2010,” Leahey writes.

Leahey goes on to point out that all of the blame for the haphazard operation of the clerk’s office does not fall only within that office, but also on the shoulders of this and past City Councils, who are supposed to supervise the city clerk.

“Since July 25th, no councilor has come into the clerk’s office to see how it functions,” he writes. “Further, while I spoke with some councilors on various issues, only a few asked how things were going. I would explain that some things worked, some things didn’t and that problem existed and that I would put everything together in a report.

“However, other than you (Mayor James Milinazzo), the only councilors who inquired about the problems were Vice Mayor (Kevin) Broderick and (City Councilor Bill) Martin. I gave both a few examples and a brief overview though not to the extent of the information that I have provided to you

Nice of the Acting Clerk to take a shot at the 6 who didn’t support him last week.

The office does have many issue but again the CLERK was the dept. head and HE and in theory the City Council were in charge and responsible for how the office has run. Wonder how the 6 councilors will feel about the slap Leahey gives them?

It should be also noted NO Criminal Acts were mentioned.

Over on LIL jack is “WARNING” voters and Lowell Citizens that “several candidates, incumbents & challengers, want to ensure that a certain clique within Lowell is clear that they are not “Bernie Buddies.” Meaning, the candidates are sure to vote against the manager’s fiscal policies, gov’t reorganization efforts and, most importantly, not renew the CM’s contract when it expires..he also states “Another meme, will be, ‘the manager lacks compassion.’ That he is the Tin Man.Then he insults all of us who have made Lowell our home for our entire lives stating

“After decades of abuses in city hiring practices, there are pockets of laziness and poor practices enbedded in the system. There is a culture that embraces the “Townie Turnstyle.” Meaning, if they have known you all your life, you get the EZ Pass down at City Hall. Meaning, that there is not a level playing field for those attempting to conduct routine business with the City.

The City Manager has systematically diminished such bogus practices. That, my friends, puts many a nose out of joint.

Aside from the fact that I am sure I can name 10-20 life long Lowell residents who Jack would call “connected” that would disagree with him and regale him with the stories of how ridiculous it is to get permits and permissions. Do people really think that this election is about the City Manager?

Has the SUN somehow convinced Jack that the Manager is the issue or is Jack just running a pre-emptive strike for the Manager? I’ll give my friend Jack credit, no one on any Blog, newspaper, radio or cable show defends the Manager, Mayor and certain councilors like Jack.

Jack is also very careful to play the political game because he has aspirations of getting a Charter Review or at least get the Charter brought up to see if changes can be made so he will NOT name names, less he has to someday go hat in hand and present them a White Paper or wants appointment to a Charter Commission.

He just refers to these “candidates” but doesn’t mention anyone by name, so let me because I have no agenda and really don’t care who I might upset. I don’t expect to get appointed to anything.

Here are the candidates and where I think they stand in regard to the Manager. Let me know what you think.

1. Rita Mercier – Has had issues and disagreements but I doubt she votes to fire or not renew. I’d put her in his corner IF push came to shove.

2. Bill Martin – For the Manager

3. Kevin Broderick – For the Manager

4. John MacDonald – Has stated would support the Manager. Some doubt that due to Coggins in his corner, but I’ll take him at his word.

5. Jim Milinazzo – For the Manager

6. John Leahy – Hard to tell, based on his record in the Supt. case I’d say he would NOT vote to Fire , but would be needed to be convinced that he should be rehired. Could go either way depending on situation.

7. Marty Lorrey – Has a lot of the so called Old Lowell behind him but also close to Senator Donoghue who is a Lynch supporter. I think he would support the Manager.

8. Patrick Murphy – Supports the Manager

9. Joe Mendonca – Supports the Manager to a degree, could be convinced to bail if it assured him re-election but that isn’t happening. Could go either way

10. Rodney Elliott – Hasn’t been the Manager’s biggest fan and may be his biggest foe. Believe it or not I still think Rodney supports professional management but to feed into Jack’s assumption let’s say he’s a NO for Lynch.

11. Armand Mercier – Not the Manager’s biggest fan Not a Lynch supporter

12. Paul Belley – I think we would support the Manager.

13. Corey Belanger – Has stated he would support the Manager but has a lot of ties to “old Lowell”. Another candidate whose word I will take until proven wrong.

14. Ed Kennedy – He hasn’t been around much, competed for the Manager’s job when Lynch got it and isn’t really embedded to the Old Lowell Group that JM indicates. He hasn’t publically stated either way but I’d guess he would be a NO Lynch guy.

15. Van Pech – Manager appointment him to a board or commission, would support Manager.

16. Vesna Nuon – Manager appointment him to a board or commission, would support Manager.

17. Fred Doyle – Not a Lynch Fan.

So bottom line is in my opinion City Manager Lynch is not and will not be the primary issue in this campaign and no “group” real or imagined will be courting the Anti-Lynch Vote because there are not enough councilors who will get elected that would fire him IF he continues to run Lowell in what has been a professional manner.

Interested to know what you think.