Jenn Myers has a great front page profile on charities best friend Fred Simon. The piece is a nice tribute to Fred sharing his story from the boy in the acre who needed assistance to the man who assist everyone he can. This Friday Dec. 2nd is the Birthday Bash/Roast in his honor and only 25 tickets remain. That means the committee will have sold 500 tickets which in this economy and so close to Christmas is a remarkable tribute to Fred Simon and the admiration and love so many have for him.
Speaking of the Roast/Birthday bash the Committee will also be raffling off a 42″ television, conducting a 50/50 raffle and auctioning off a pair of tickets to KISS 108′s Jingle Ball featuring Kelly Clarkson, LMFAO , Demi Lovato, Joe Jonas , Pitbull and the just added Sammy Adams so if you are attending and have a teen or grandchild who wants to go, be prepared to bid big and help out the Salvation ARmy while being picking up a great pre-christmas gift.
Also in today’s Sun Jessica Wilson has a recap of the City of Lights Festivities, Jenn Myers has a look at how the spirit of charity shines a day after the theft of a Salvation Army Kettle, Rob Mills has the sad story of the death of a Billerica Teen on 128 yesterday (The Sun updates that in-line this morning with his identity), Debbie Hovanasian has a look at the many nativity sets on display at St. John Episcopal Church, 260 Gorham St., Lowell, 7-9 p.m.Thursday and Friday, Dec. 1-2; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3; noon-4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 4. 978-453-3766 Suggested donation $5. Chaz Scoggins takes a look at Luis Tiants’ chances to get into the Baseball Hall of Fame by a vote of the Veterans Committee.
Sun Editor Jim Campanini shows off his writing skills by sharing a personal story entitled A Chianti Story.
Pick up, subscribe to the E-edition or order Home delivery of the regional newspaper that covers Lowell/Dracut. The Sun!
The Political Column this week starts off with embattled DHA Chair, current Methuen/Ayer Housing Executive Director Ken Martin stating his loyalties are to all 3 communities and mentions that Gov. Patrick removed Mike McLaughlin’s son from the Tewksbury Housing AUthority.
There is an item stating Rita Mercier will not be in contention for Mayor of Lowell. She states in the item ” From what I heard Patrick has the votes so why would I step in?”
However the column notes that rumors have Murphy and Elliott deadlocked at three votes each. Councilor-elect Vesna Nuon committed to Murphy this week. He joins Councilor elect Marty Lorrey in support of Murphy. Mercier and Councilor Joseph Mendonca have committed to Elliott. Councilors Kevin Broderick, Bill Martin and Councilor- elect Ed Kennedy are still uncommitted
The SUN makes a point to crow about Lyle Moran and his work on the Fred Doyle inspired LHA stories while taking a shot at Councilor Broderick’s father Tom. It also mentions that Craig Gates (who was in my opinion a bust as Manager of the Arena when the city owned it) was recently hired as the new Executive Director of the Lowell Festival Foundation.
It concludes the local news with a mixed review of the welcome Assistant Collector of Taxes Robert Haley received on his return to work in the Treasurer’s Office and the movement of a couple of staffers.
Onto a few other things..
Papers are flying all over the insider political circle and media that rehash the Chelmsford Ma.Kinney lawsuit against then Chelmsford Town Manager Bernie Lynch. It includes an erroneous sum of $200,000 when in fact it was in the $20,000 range but the Bernie Bashers are hoping people won’t do their homework and believe their version.
In addition there was a wild rumor that the Manager had been served with some type of Subpoena this week but in actuality I was told by someone it was a legal claim against the city and several named individuals from a library assistant that has been complaining for years.
The speculation keeps growing that former Sen. Steve Panagiotakos does indeed want to be the next City Manager.
He is rumored to be one of the “political heavy hitters” who is looking to derail the Murphy Mayoral bid. Rumor’s remain strong that newly elected Councilor Ed Kennedy is willing to be the alternative candidate but it would take Kevin Broderick committment to make it work without forcing someone already committed to “change their vote”. Supposedly Martin will go along with Kennedy as a compromise to either Elliot or Murphy.
The latest speculation has each candidate receiving 3 votes on the first ballot then on a 2nd ballot Lorrey, Mercier and Mendonca voting for Kennedy and appointing Rodney as Vice Mayor.
Those that want Pangy for Manager will no doubt be working to undercut the Manager but will do so slowly over a long period that will also involve the resolution of a very touchy subject. Pangy will wait for the City to make a final decision regarding Plan Design and having that set along with the next budget before forcing out Manager Lynch. Why come into a no-win situation with Plan Design before allowing your predecessor to take the heat and the backlash with retirees and unions.
A 2013 Budget that will no doubt include a 2.5% increase (or higher) will be the issue that allows current councilors to say we need a new person in charge with a new outlook to find an alternative to constant tax increase.
Watch for a change in tone from Kendall Wallace as a good indication when the Manager’s time is set to expire. Wallace has been a solid supporter of Lynch but has a long history and much respect for Steve Panagiotakos and once he is convinced Steve can do the job, Bernie’s days will be numbered.
A great piece by Mr. Campanini. With writing like that he could be in line for the next Pullet Surprise Award!!
If the Council deadlocks between Murphy and Elliott, then Rita should be the compromise option. She is a proven Mayor. The role of the Mayor on the School side will be huge, this term. I’ve heard nothing but positives about Rita’s last tour of duty with the School Committee.
I highly suggest we watch Kennedy walk the walk for a term before putting the gavel in his hand. This term will be tricky. This isn’t Kennedy’s first rodeo, by any stretch of the imagination. He has the chops. Maybe, too much so? I’m inclined to stick with ‘the devil we know.’ Y’know?
Jack,
Your wants like mine have zero effect on who the Mayor is. You can state “I’m inclined to stick with ‘the devil we know.’ Y’know? but the fact is you or I or the voters of Lowell don’t posses one of the 9 votes involved.
Whether we like it or not political pressure will be involved and the “political heavy hitters” know from the turnout that most people don’t really care and of those that do a percentage wants to get rid of the Manager.
Having a Mayor who has the backing of Pangy and Meehan will help the process of getting rid of the current Manager without going to the extreme of giving it to a well known Bernie Basher like Elliot who has shown no political loyalty to anyone over the years. He flip-flops to much to be trusted.
I’m a realist and been a lifer here in Lowell and like it or not I have been convinced and truly believe that the current Manager’s time is running out, it is just a question of when not if (IMHO)
Gerry, we went from a huge turnout in a Presidential election, in 2008, to the lowest municipal election turnout in a very long time. I can’t agree, wholesale, that voters don’t care. Unfortunately, and I will look further at the data when it is ready, we may be seeing a trend where Lowell is losing older voters, due to attrition, faster than we can bring in others to backfill.
Though, if as you suggest, the game is rigged, it will be harder to attract citizens beyond the spawn of hacks and cronies.
One glimmer of hope can be found at LTC? Surely, Jessica Wilson will prioritize civic minded programming. If LTC builds interest using ethnic hosts that can bridge language isolation, deliverable in new media venues, then we could see Lowell politics reshaped.
However, we have to guard against annointed meat puppets that seek membership to ‘Kiss My Ring Country Club.’ We could lose a generation of reform minded ethnic activists, if their electeds sell out.
Democracy is a continual process of wrenching power towards the people, away from special interests. What you see in D.C., you see here. Except, it is much harder to push back against your smiling neighbor/cousins/godaughter/prom date/pal. And they know it !
“When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.” Franklin D. Roosevelt
‘All politics is local” Tip O’Neill
Jack,
Really LTC? I like Jessica Wilson but Please LTC will not be the answer to getting more people to vote.
Put Charter Reform on the Agenda, then maybe.
Look at history, Lowell has about 7500 voters who turn out every year, this year the rest could not bother and those that did were either part of the ethnic voters that were out to support Vesna/Pech or angry voters. The average taxpayer is to busy and doesn’t think it matters who you have in municiple Gov’t.
I think the Manager is outstanding and has done a solid job but when the Sun, WCAP, Neighborhood Leaders and others start to turn the tide builds and you can’t stop it. I’ve seen good Managers like Brian Martin and Jim Campbell get swallowed up and carried out by the same tide, it is inevitable.
Calling voters hacks and cronies doesn’t help your argument, the fact is we all trust people we know, we went to school with and we like. Sen. Pangy has earned the trust of the voters and many may not mind (even for a short time) having him be the Manager.
We have to put our efforts into media venues like LTC & the Blogs. The Sun is in the tank. Will it be a revolution? No. But note, The Sun is mimicking us, so the future must be trending in our favor.
Yes. Referendums and ballot initiatives do drive interest and participation. Should we start a petition to create a Charter Commission? The Charter Review Committee is all but dead. I’ll hit it with the paddles one more time. There will be new subcommittee assignments coming soon.
It should come as no surprise that I don’t wear a St. Stephen medallion around my neck. That said, I can’t say in good conscience, that Pangy as CM would be the worst thing. It could actually be a positive. My trepidation comes from having, yet another political animal as the CM. The type of wheeling, dealing & horse trading that occurs on Beacon Hill is what we want in City Hall? The State coffers won’t gush funding at Lowell because Pangy collects on some chits.
Count me as one who does not want another career politician as Manager, no matter who it is, including Pangy. We’ve been there many times before. I don’t think it worked very well with Cox, Tully, Sheehy, etc. It takes different skills and expertise to be a City Manager than it does to be a legislator. Plus, career politicians are used to pandering and doing favors (like handing out jobs) to get and keep votes. That’s not what Lowell needs.
Jack and Lisa, how can you say Bernie is not a career politician? He’s worked what, the last 25 years running Chelmsford and Lowell. He’s taken a government paycheck longer than any of our delegation has. The only difference is he’s a political animal who only has to appeal to a select group of insiders, not the masses.
I don’t mean that as in insult to the man by the way. It actually speaks highly of his political skills that he’s been able to survive twenty years in one job and five and a half in another where the shelf life is about that long. His behavior is classic politico. Come in as a breath of fresh air. Begin to surround yourself with your people while eliminating enemies real or perceived. Consolidate your power. Turn arrogant and stop listening to those who gave you the job. Stay long enough at the party and eventually questionable or unethical behavior, if not outright corruption follows. It’s the classic political progression in every town, not only Lowell. How is Bernie any different than those you automatically assume are corrupt because they choose to get elected by thousands instead of a handful?
For the record, before I start getting bashed as a good old boy and Bernie Basher, I applauded his selection over Dianne Prudeaux Breune, the perceived insider. Cox had worn out his welcome and grown too arrogant. Bernie was a welcomed and needed change. He has done much good for the city and made a few mistakes along the way. The last two years, those mistakes are starting to outnumber the good. Worse, they’re sloppy mistakes an accomplished politician like him only makes when he grows too arrogant.
You may now commence attacking the Bernie Basher.
.
It’s probably a first but I agree with Remember in November. I’ve always said that Bernie Lynch is not only a politician but one of the most skilled politicians in Lowell. Even a completely competent manager with no political acumen would not last 6 months in Lowell or any city of any sort of size for that matter. Maybe a small sleepy town administrator could get away with it. I also don’t think you should automatically disqualify someone on the basis of previously being in elected office. I was not a fan of John Cox at all but I think a lot can be said for the other managers who had political backgrounds. What about cities with elected mayors? Are they automatically worse off than one with an appointed manager? I’m not advocating charter change but political people are not automatically bad and corrupt. In a city like Lowell its not a one man show, so who the manager (this one or next) surrounds himself has just as much to do with it as what he previously listed on his resume.
RIN wrote: “.. I applauded his selection over Dianne Prudeaux Breune, the perceived insider.”
At the time, Campi felt the same way.
Likely, RIN, you weren’t as glowing about Lynch, as Campi was, in those early years. I’d also like to comment on this point,: “How is Bernie any different than those you automatically assume are corrupt because they choose to get elected by thousands instead of a handful?” This is some nice slight of hand, guy. My point is that the skill sets required to survive for a non-elected official is different that those of elected. I don’t assume corruption. However, if you have followed the happening in the MA House, you may have develop a healthy skepticism, maybe not. A non-elected CM is going to spend an inordinate amount of time making the Council look good. The “professional” politico will survive by sharing the glory and taking the blame. Why? Because the “professional” politico is insulated from the political wind. Which is good, imho.
The fact our CM, not this one specifically, is (s)elected by 9 is also a good thing. I expect each Councilor to be very attuned to what qualities they are looking for. Each Councilor’s burden of proof should be much higher when selecting a CM, than a voter’s burden of proof when selecting a Councilor.
Case in point, the selection of Mayor. It is pardonable for a Council candidate to make empty promises, pander and grandstand to get elected. Voters pay attention for 3 months. I don’t respect that sort of winning, but it works and few see winning as a negative. That said, that sort of low brow gimmickry is not something I would expect the Councilors to reward with a nod for a Mayoral hopeful. The Council has to set a standard for itself. They are obliged to self police, as a body, as an “institution.” Rewarding shenanigans degrades the body, lowering all the pictures that hang on the walls just a wee bit closer to the floor.
In closing, I hear you on Lynch, but I suggest the CM be checked, not chucked.
Gerry,
The manager takes credit for everything good but blames John Cox for everything bad. Can you say Obama. How long should it take a Manager to realize and take action on Departments that are not being run right? Is five plus years long enough? ShouIdn’t he be held to the same standards he is demanding? I will answer that question for you in the managers case he waits until the wheels fall off and then blames the past admin. This manager lifts restriction on spending when he hires new management personnel and provides them with the means to succeed he would not provide the previous employees. This is a pattern Mr. Manager likes to follow (Inspectional services, Water and DPW). Can you say reactive. Any good manager can raise taxes, provide less services, and have a rubber stamp council make them look good. Look at all your past posts and how the Manager responds with excuse after excuse. I challenge you to find one past post where the manager has said he did something wrong and fixed the problem without blaming or insinuating it was a past practice.
One more thing Gerry, I don’t know how this guy Jack and Elliot are not friends. They both are flip floppers. Look at how Jack now would support Rita for Mayor. A few months ago he had no use for her.
I don’t see “this guy Jack” as a flip-flopper. I say that, having had discussions with Jack many times. He and I are in different camps at the “National” level, but I think he has been pretty square on the local level. Not always right, and willing to learn (eg; Rita), but pretty square. Even I make mistakes at the local level, like when I twice ran for State Rep.
Regards —  Cliff
PS: Gerry, are you working on a “Preview” for Commenters?
Talking voter turnout sounds like a bunch of whining. Voters didn’t turn out – we had great weather and still they didn’t come. We have double digit unemployment in the city, so at least 10% of them didn’t have to take any time off from work to go vote. So what does this mean?
Voters don’t see the City Council as being important enough to vote for because it doesn’t do anything independent of the City Manager. If the council is just going to play the role of ‘rubber stamp’ then who cares what names are on the nameplates? If the Council is just going to bash the manager that they hired, then why vote? Basically, unless the Council starts to act like an independent body with intelligent discussion and debate, people are not going to be concerned with it. What is most disappointing is that there is one segment that is pro City Manager and one segment anti City Manager, and everyone acts as if having intelligent discussion, either way, is a sign of changing sides.
Setting the voter turnout whining aside – How can anyone say what the settlement amount was on the sexual harassment lawsuits when they were confidential and are not part of the court record? One of the terms of every confidential settlement I’ve heard of usually requires a large money penalty for breaching the silence. Because it is unlikely the person who got the money would want to pay it back, and it is unlikely the City manager would want to be exposed to paying more, then I question the motives of all people bandying the outrageous numbers between 20,000 and 200,000. To both sides of this – produce the document, name the source, or quit spreading rumors about money. Because our online and offline rumor mills are just that, rumor mills without sources or documents, nobody cares what number you attach to the lawsuits.
McLaughlin, Martin – we get it. Wallace – see below, but it is starting to look like Housing Authorities in general have some serious issues and characters. It’s amazing what skeletons fall out of what closets when someone screws with the Karabatsos clan.
Lowell Housing Authority – yeah they broke the law and everyone knew it and tried to ignore it, and Fred Doyle helped Lyle Moran uncover it, so what? Does the buck stop with the City Manager, or does he push it down lower to Kendra Amaral? We’ll see who has a big enough pair to step up and say ‘my bad now let’s fix this.’
So will we see any changes? Nah – the City Council will be more concerned with motions to have the City Manager have the appropriate authority fix a pothole somewhere.
This point is huge, maybe the most important thing I have read on a blog in a long while:
(h/t Doubting Thomas)
Voters don’t see the City Council as being important enough to vote for because it doesn’t do anything independent of the City Manager. If the council is just going to play the role of ‘rubber stamp’ then who cares what names are on the nameplates? If the Council is just going to bash the manager that they hired, then why vote? Basically, unless the Council starts to act like an independent body with intelligent discussion and debate, people are not going to be concerned with it. What is most disappointing is that there is one segment that is pro City Manager and one segment anti City Manager, and everyone acts as if having intelligent discussion, either way, is a sign of changing sides.