On FACEBOOK MAY 9th – Bold Mine
Jim Campanini
Say it ain’t so, Bernie? City Manager Bernie Lynch told the Cambridge Chronicle today that he would be interested in the $300+ manager’s job in that city when Bob Healy retires this year. There is still so much to cover, uncover and write about and so little time. All the unanswered FOIA requests and documents still to retrieve. Bernie, wait for the appeals to come in, please?
Decision_SPR11_336_7.11.12_City upheld
Here’s one request you can cross off your list Mr. C – The Sun lost one of their many FOI request, this one asking for the release of resumes for applicants for the Treasurer’s position. The States Office of Public Records informed me the ruling had been made and issued July 11th and the City Manager’s office was kind enough to respond to my email asking for a copy of the ruling.
In October 2011 the SUN ran an Editorial stating that the public had a right to know even after the City Solicitor pointed out that people have a right to privacy when applying and stated they would challenge the ruling..they did and they lost.
I’ve always felt that a person has a right to apply for a job with the city without having to have their resumes splattered all over the SUN or a BLOG and that only finalist or people hired should have their resumes released.
I will say that of the many departments I deal with on occasion, the States Public records division is one of the best in responding to any emails. Once a ruling is made and I have asked about it, they send me a note to let me know.
I must have missed this announcement in the SUN and didn’t see it on Facebook either but then again like Erik Gitschier, Campy has defriended me on Facebook…LMAO
City Councilors should be permitted to review (by law) any resume that is submitted for City employment. They represent the people and should know who is submitting and who is being considered for City jobs.
City Council members could then discuss this data with neighborhood leaders so they can report and generate open discussion at their respective meetings involving the citizens of Lowell. By encouraging and participating in such discussions, City Councilors would find themselves in a stonger position to refer the “will of the people” to the City Manager.
I’m sure City Councilor’s know how important it is to attend neighborhood meetings on an at large basis, but would like to see a better showing and more interaction.
I disagree, BY Law they can’t because the City Manager runs the City and the employees work for him NOT the Council. Are you in favor of allowing Councilors every 2 years to hire thier friends and supporters because if you want the council to be in charge of hiring that will happen.
I and all citizens have a right to be able to apply for a job without my resumes being leaked to the press or a blog and BY LAW it can’t be and I don’t want that changed.
By the way, considering the ruling academic (before giving the Sun a chance for appeal) I did jump ahead a bit, as the overall discussion of hiring policy doesn’t die with this ruling. In fairness to Gerry, I can see where my response could be taken out of context and will save my thoughts about City hiring policies for another time.
In the meantime, I agree that nepotism and leaks of confidential information to the press by trusted elected officials or City employees is an important subject. The City Manager is indeed running the City, and doing a fine job I might add. My comments were about review of City hiring policies; not disclosure to the press, or, judgment of policy execution by the CM.