According to the State Office of Campaign and Fiance City Councilor and Chair of the Public Safety Sub-Committee Vesna Noun hasn’t responded to 4 request for information in regards to the fundraising and payments made by his campaign committee. (see pdf attached)
The gentleman Mayor Murphy indicated has a “background in public safety issues in his twenty-plus year career.” seems to think he is above the Law when it comes to filing information and has chosen to ignore since October 11th, 4 letters requesting more information.
This is the man the Mayor thinks is the person who should be heading the Public Safety Sub-Committee? He doesn’t follow the reporting Laws and ignore multiple request from the State office that is charged with watching over these issues and that is okay? Is this the behavior you want in someone who is the councils liaison with the Police?
Is he headed down the same road as former City Councilor Rithy Uong who ignored a decision from the State Ethics Commission and ended up in court and having to resign his Council seat? Councilor Noun could face fines after a period of time if he keeps ignoring these letters. Maybe that $50K settlement will be used to pay the State for some of his own indiscretions and violations. Our Tax money at work.
The Mayor or some of the Councilor’s advisors need to get him to properly fill out the required forms. He raised over $15,000, the public has the right to know where the money came from and his fellow councilors who have already disclosed their information need him to do the same.
IF it gets to the point that the state begins to fine him for not filling out his required forms will the Mayor keep him as chair of public safety?
Why is he chair now?
Please spell Rithy Uong’s name right. This isn’t the first time there’s been a mistake. And I don’t understand why you feel the need to compare them. Completely different issues, diffferent state offices in question, but same nationality so we have to lump them in together right?
There is an old saying that “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” I was simply pointing out that the councilor should remember what happened to a councilor in the past who ignored the state.
YOU mentioned Nationality NOT ME! I compared Councilor to Councilor
You don’t like the comparison..don’t read the Blog…
I actually really only wanted to call attention to the misspelling of the former councilor’s name. But given your reply, I’ll also offer these observations:
I seem to remember Mr. Kazanjian had some ethics issues much more recently. Why not make that comparison? How about State Rep. Paul Adams of Andover, an issue which is actually timely, who actually had a similar issue since his violation was from the OCPF not the State Ethics Commission? No you brought up Rithy “Oung” and compared Vesna Nuon to him. You’re not the first one to make the comparison and I think its unfair. They are two different men with two totally different issues. And since you choose to repeat the Lowell Sun dumbed down description of Mr. Uong’s issue, I don’t particularly want to get into rehashing old stories.
By the way, its the subcommittee on Public Safety, not the subcommittee on bureacratic paperwork. He absolutely should get his paperwork in, but now all “laws” fall under the jurisidiction of public safety. When Mr. Nuon was campaigning on the issues of public safety in some of Lowell’s neighborhoods, I don’t think the constituents he spoke to would consider a timely accounting of his fundraising activities as important as the issues of people being shot and drug trafficking. Thats not to excuse his actions, but its apples and oranges.
You know who else apparently didn’t have respect for the law? The officer who a judge ruled violated Mr. Nuon’s Constitutional rights.
I was saving the Admams comparison if he ran for Sen. against Finegold since both have had issues.
Mr. K’s issue was NOT with the STATE it was with the city. Again you don’t like the post fine,
DON”T READ! or Write your own BLOG ! This one is mine and my opinion and I force no one to read or agree.
I honestly don’t understand the hostility. I like your blog and appreciate the work you do to put it out there. What good is getting feedback only from those who agree? There’s a lot of people in town who want to blame Mr. Nuon for having his constitutional rights violated, and I’m sure they will jump in and agree with you. Hell, I agree with you about his need to file his paperwork. I just think its a stretch to consider a relatively limited civil statatory issue such as OCPF reports as somehow related to the “Public Safety” of the Commonwealth’s 4th largest city.
The funny thing is you dont want me to comment but if you spelled Rithy Uong’s name right, I wouldn’t have even commented in the first place. I was trying to do it as a favor, since I assumed you’d want your information to be correct.
It’s not that i didn’t want you to comment it is just I RESENT LIKE HELL any implication that my motives might be because of his Nationality.
That was in your first post and its an outright wrong.
Secondly who are you to tell me or anyone who I should use to make comparrisons?
Lastly I am quickly becoming frustrated with people who don’t have the testosterone or courage of their convictions to use there real name and email but have no issue bitching and complaining about those of us who do and what we say.
I’d take people seriously if they had the backone to admit who they are instead of being cowards and hiding because they are scared they will piss someone off.
Wouldn’t a more recent example of someone ignoring letters be City Manager John Cox?
I agree that the comparison to Rithy Uong is…let’s just say it’s tone deaf and easy to misinterpret.
John Cox is another good example. And to be more accurate, Rithy Uong didn’t ignore the Ethics Commission ruling, he chose not to seek another one for a separate matter. I personally think its an awful rule, I understand the rationale but I feel it only serves to restrict a large segment of the local population from serving in public office. But either way, its not true that Uong ignored any Ethics Commission ruling. Ethics Commission said he couldn’t do X. He never did X. He did Y. Ethics Commission later felt that X and Y were basically the same thing. But that’s not how the Sun spun it.
Nuon has been around long enough to know the rules. Apparently he chooses to ignore them. Murphy should remove him from all committes immediately until Nuon can ( if he ever does) get his act together.
Seems like an awful lot of HATE directed at Mr. Nuon on this blog.
The letter seems fairly straight forward and the missing information resulted from a review of the reports, not a persistent attempt to avoid disclosure.
He paid for a campaign party, and he paid some people to do Data work for him – probably on the voter lists, the mailings lists, the event attendees lists, and the neighborhoods covered by door to door solicitations.
The amounts involved are VERY MINOR and the additional details being sought are small.
LMAO If I complain about a Councilor someone likes, I’m a hater? GROW UP!
Seems like most of his supporters on this BLOG don’t have any backbone and have to hide their identity and use fake email addresses.
He SUES the police for doing their job, after mouthing off, allegedly saying he was going to call the Police Supt. and The City Manager because the officer dared to ask him for an ID , trades a vote for the Chairman of the Public Safty Sub-Committee so he can rub their face in at and can’t report where he got $15,000 from and that’s okay? Not with me it isn’t.
If this was a councilor you had an issue with or disliked you’de be complaining about that person. All I did was say HE is WRONG and He should NOT be a Chair of that Committee and should fill out his paperwork like every other candidate and elected official, he is no worse nor any better than everyone else who has to do it.
The amounts involved are VERY MINOR? Ask a candidate if they consider $15,000 in receipts including a $1,000 AFTER the Election Minor?
Why should he not get called out for it?
To address your rants in order:
1. I don’t use my real name because using it could cost me my job. It is not an issue of backbone but of a need to keep putting food on the table and clothes on my children’s backs.
2. Yes, he SUED. And when the City tried to get the case thrown out, a Federal Judge heard the evidence and ruled in his favor. The City Solicitor and City Manager agreed to settle the case and pay an appropriate amount as well as require the police to undergo remedial training in lawful reasons for arrest, and to require the police officer who broke the law to apologize. The law applies to everyone and you don’t get a pass just because you wear a badge.
a. The pesky little US Constitution was determined to guarantee a right to say “I’m going to call the police superintendent and the City Manager to report you. If you don’t like that, it’s your right. If you have a problem with it, then travel 3,840 miles east by northeast and 70 years back in time to Nazi Germany… they also agreed that people could be arrested for what they say to men wearing uniforms.
b. He traded a vote to get a committee chair? Say it ain’t so ! Are you implying that Mayor Murphy was NOT the best qualified person to be selected?
c. The OCPF letter does not state any failure to account for $15,000… it says he failed to account for $200 in receipts. Apparently, they were satisfied with the accounting for the other $14,800 or they just might have mentioned it don’t you think?
If you are really concerned about who donated money, ask around. If you find someone who can show they gave more than $50 and Mr. Nuon didn’t report it, then get him removed from the City Council and let Mr. Leahy step up.
I agree Gerry and didn’t see his comparison as racist at all. Would comparing 2 white men in similar situations be racist if Gerry was Asian? Ah…I don’t think so…it would still be a comparison.
Doubting Thomas, not sure where u work… sounds like a terrible place. Based on #2 of your rant replies- its not the city, courts or the Pd because your incorrect. The case was dismissed with “court costs” at LDC?, paving way to lawsuit, the city and Brian opted not to risk trying the case fearing personal loss. Cant say i blame them given very liberal interpretation of Mass Laws and a judge ruled only “in summary”. The police were called to the scene via 911, Brian did NOT apologize and as a lowell officer, i recieved NO remedial training. I encourage you to review your free speech rights in Ma and educate yourself with information outside the LSun. As for the appointment I’m giving Mayor Murphy a pass because like you I believe he did not have the benefit of all the information.
To Mr. Erickson,
I see you have not READ the judges decision and I am inserting a link for you to read it: http://pacer.mad.uscourts.gov/dc/cgi-bin/recentops.pl?filename=sorokin/pdf/nuon%2009cv11161%20sj%20decision%20kinney%20and%20nuon%20final.pdf
You will see that in reaching the decision as to Mr. Kinney’s breaking the law, the court
1. Assumed for the motion that everything that was testified to by Brian Kinney was true; and
2. Still found that
” Even accepting his version of events, Kinney has failed to establish that he had probable cause to arrest Nuon. Kinney asserts that “a reasonable police officer would have arrested Plaintiff for disorderly conduct, as Plaintiff’s behavior amounted to actions that ‘disturb the public
tranquility, or alarm and provoke others.’” Docket # 33 at 7, citing Aregata v. Commonwealth,
353 Mass. 287, 303-304 (1967). There is, however, no evidence of any actions disturbing the
public tranquility or alarming or provoking others. In short, no objectively reasonable police
officer confronted with Kinney’s version of the facts could have believed that there was probable
cause to arrest Nuon for disorderly conduct. ”
Basically, the court said that Brian needed a remedial lesson in law if he wanted to stay oin law enforcement because even IF (and let’s be honest, it’s a really big IF) he was telling the truth, he had no legitimate reason to arrest Mr. Nuon.
Ruling in summary judgement, the court found that there was absolutely no set of circumstances that could have justified Brian Kinney’s breaking the law and arresting Mr. Nuon.
The police officers who defend brian Kinney breaking the law are only the ones who would have done the same thing. The rest all know that you can’t justify Brian’s criminal behavior.
To Mr. Doubt, to which you are undoubtedly and aptly named. I’m kicking myself for not recognizing your prior over reactive reference to Nazi Germany. I forget sometimes it can be difficult to have an honest conversation with a screen name that may mask biased reason. Make no mistake I accept your decision to remain anonymous, nor wish to know. I accept your opinion as do a summary ruling. I have of course read it, as I have many others that support arrests of belligerent individuals during lawful Terry stops and police calls. Many of which were argued at trial and included the full scope of evidence, recordings and testimony.
Notwithstanding your veiled questioning of Brian’s integrity, let’s be definitely clear you do so with limited knowledge of what really happened. I am sure you can agree, I comment having greater knowledge of this and in doing it with name attached, feel confident in who to believe.
As another resident sickening of Lowell Politics, I have the right to be confused and question his selection as Public Safety Chair… he’s historically spoken largely about Youth Issues and it’s one of his very first motions… imagine that.
But that ain’t how we roll in Lowell… Disappointed is all.
“trades a vote for the Chairman of the Public Safty Sub-Committee so he can rub their face in…”
That’s a wild accusation.
Gerry,
I looked at the letter you linked to. A smoking gun it ain’t. It appears to be a routine form, looking for some minor details not provided.
It seems you are on a tear and I won’t try to talk you down. I’ve seen this look in your eye before. You’ve jumbled several loosely related items together. While others take their turns pulling them apart, breathe deeply.
$15,000 in contributions for a city council race is “minor detail?
If this was a State Rep Race and a Republican challenger why do I think it would not be minor in you eyes?
All issues re minor unless they are spolighted. I didn’t see you post this was a minor issue when I went after Doyle for the same thing.
What I saw was a concern over $200, not the total campaign filing amount.
I think you’re pissed about other stuff, like the 50 Grand settlement and his appointment to Chair a S/C. Is that blurring your vision on the filing?
I know you questioned his filings before. I thought it odd and amatuer that his filings were apparently lagging. But, they look in order now, except for the 4 issues referred to in the letter you linked to.
You’ve assembled unrelated items to take a turd on the guy. No matter to me, but it doesn’t fly.
they look in order now, ..Really? Please show me where he list who his contributors were?
$15,000 worth of unaccounted for money from an elected official and you don’t have an issue with that? Sock Puppets are more important I suppose?
Jack, You are clear that he is one of your chosen ones and I know he is a friend of the Mayor but he isn’t any different from any other candidate.
Yes I don’t think he should have been made chair of Public Safety and YES I am pissed that not only did he take $50,000 from the city but when asked about this settlement on City Life in early December by ME HE HID the fact he received $50,000 and never mentioned that and then doesn’t tell the public who gave him $15,000 in contributions. WHY?
Again if he ws a Republicn you and LIL would be all over his case but he isn’t, he’s a Mayoral binkie so hands off.
I treat them all equal and if I tick off Rodney, Rita, Ed Kennedy,Bill Martin and the Mayor, Councilor Nuon gets no leeway either.
Gerry,
First, stop reading my mind. You suck at it. :vp”””
Second. YOU ARE RIGHT AND I AM WRONG on the matter of finance disclosure, as far as I can tell.
Vesna’s online reporting shows deposit amounts, but they are unitemized.
That is not appropriate, by any standard. He must gets this squared away immediately.
The letter you linked to suggested that an itemized filing was provided, as they are asking for clarification on certain line items. If the paperwork is in, but has not been posted online, then Vesna should get on this, fix what needs fixing and get the state folks to post it online.
These sorts of “process” things distract from fixing issues confronted by Lowellians. But, they can’t be ignored out of a sense of transparency and fairness to the other candidates that dotted thieri and crossed their t.
There, was that really so hard?
Although I don’t agree with Gerry on how he connects “dots”, there seems to be a dearth of information relative to the source of funds for this campaign. At least from what has been filed on the OCPF public site, it seems that over 2/3rds of the receipts are undocumented. But I guess there could have been that many small donations, although we will probably never know how many individuals that amounted to. The $200 at issue in the letter is apparently a single donation without a name, but there is about $10,000 in other contributions without names.
Thanks for the earlier suggestion!
Your Welcome and good luck with your BLOG. I am sure you will have many people agreeing with you that I am a hater and just attack anyone I want.
I do so using my own name which I know you don’t think matters, you think it is fine to hide your name and identity and I think it is gutless. Talk about Internet Tough GUYS !
People who post without using their real names are gutless cowards who need to get a backbone. I may disagree with people but I respect those willing to stand up and be heard for who they are and don’t hide behind a fake name because they are afraid of letting people know what they think.
Since it is my blog I don’t have to approve any comments and don’t have to let anyone post especially someone who I think accused me of being a racist.
Glad you started your own, the more voices the merrier and I’ll direct people over there to read your attack on me http://lowellresident.wordpress.com
Gerry,
We’ll see if this comment is approved or not. Obviously most of my critique of your post/comments ended up on my blog about the Character Assassination of Vesna Nuon. But there was a large part of my comment which was complimentary and I stand by it.
You do put your name on it and you put yourself out there and thats great. Sometimes I wish my opinions were courted on LTC or on the radio. But then are many times when I know that is not practical for me at this time. I wish we could each respect eachother’s choices and life situations. I certainly respect yours.
I admit I did take a few personal shots on my blog, but hey you’ve just called me a gutless coward again. 99% of my critique was focused only on your arguments and your attacks on Mr. Nuon’s and what I consider an attack on Mr. Murphy’s integrity as well. I didn’t make it personal. I do not think you’re a racist. I don’t think comparing Mr. Nuon and Mr. Uong is racist, I think its lazy. (As an aside, the similarly pseudonymed Mr. Boomer earlier said “if there were two white councilors” etc. Thats a bogus argument and everybody knows it. There have been dozens if not hundreds of white Lowell City Councilors. There have been two Asian ones. False equivalency. But I digress.)
Let me put this in all caps: GERRY NUTTER IS NOT A RACIST. I WOULD NEVER SAY GERRY NUTTER IS A RACIST. I NEVER DID IMPLY THAT GERRY NUTTER IS A RACIST
Choosing to just happen to compare Vesna Nuon to Rithy Uong and not any other councilor who has had some issues is a lazy way of looking at things. I don’t think the situations are comparable much at all. I will say there is a minimum threshold of comparability, but the strongest link between the two men as councilors IS their nationality, not the nature of the allegations.
But what if I told you my real name? What difference does it make? I’ve been “Lowell Resident” on leftinlowell for probably close to 3 years, I’m not even sure. If they see Lowell Resident, they know he’s in the pocket of the teacher’s union and will stick up for the Good Ole Boys, but at least he brings facts and knowledge and not just innuendo. You don’t know who I am. A google search of my name wouldn’t bring much up. I’ve only really been in the Lowell Sun for graduating high school and college. I’m a nobody. And yes, I do regret some things i’ve said in the heat of the moment through the years and I dont want people to associate me in real life with those things. There’s some honest truth for ya. I can’t do much better. Believe me, finding out my real name would be a disappointment because it would mean nothing to probably almost everyone who reads your blog.
And honestly, looking at your mastery of google, I’m frankly afraid you’ll launch some sort of opposition research to try to discredit me, instead of debating me on the issues. Which is all I wanted to do Gerry. I thought the comparison between the two men was lame. You thought it was perfectly fine. We disagreed. I can understand being insulted if you felt I was insinuating you were racist.
If there is anything on my blog that you take offense to, please let me know. While the crack about the acting like a high schooler and spelling like a second grader were a little mean, they were also meant in good fun too. Remember I’m a gutless coward who lacks testosterone. So let’s call it even. The rest should only be directed towards your publicly expressed opinions and if I did engage in any other ad hominem attacks, call me on it, and I will apologize.
And I do apologize for upsetting you. I don’t like to be upset by someone either. I am sorry that I did that.
And again, I will close with this. I have been a long time reader of your blog. I actually recommend you to people who don’t read it. I’ve commented here a couple times in the past, but mostly at leftinlowell. And as Jack and Lynne can tell you, aside from our shared favorite topics of Elliot and Johnny Mac lately, I usually only comment to challenge their posts. So that goes to show you that I agree with you more often than I disagree. I think you’re doing a great job, and you’ve really become an almost journalist in both your research and your ability to get quotes and information from public figures in the community. That certainly ain’t bad for an average guy with strong opinions who likes to share them. Thats why frankly I was a little disappointed that the Nuon post was strong on inneundo and short on facts. Thats why I wanted to debate it with you, and was disappointed when my opinion wasn’t welcomed. Perhaps I should have expressed my reservations about the Nuon-Uong comparison differently, but let me assure you it was never meant to attack you as a person. I don’t think Chris Scott of the Lowell Sun is racist either. It’s a natural and easy comparison to make. And some of it that burden of being the first they will have to shoulder. Maybe I was too sensitive. Like I said, there is a little bit of truth to the comparison. There’s a lot more truth to the Paul Adams comparison. There’s more timeliness to Alan Kazanjian comparison. But I’ve said this already. We don’t agree. I don’t question your manhood for it.
Which again, I may just be a sixteen year old girl so I would lack testosterone