Can Bernie admit what Fonzie finally did?
Fallout over the 2011 October Letter from the Inspector General will continue with the news in Today’s Sun that CFO Tom Moses and City Solicitor Chris O’Connor both knew about the letter in October of 2011.
For the Manager to stick to his initial statement that said “the IG’s letter may have crossed his desk, but he did not remember it specifically’ seems disingenuous when in today’s Sun political column Michael Vaughn the Purchasing Agent who received the letter states he provided the letter to CFO Tom Moses, his boss, and also to the Law Department. It was never provided to the City Council by City Manager Bernie Lynch’s administration.
It is troubling to think that the City Solicitor and the CFO of this city would knowingly and willingly hide a letter from the State Inspector General that clearly stated “This was not advantageous for the businesses and citizens of Lowell”
from the City Manager and even more troubling that the City Manager would have such little respect for the Council and businesses he would ignore that statement because it saved the city money at the expense of the businesses who were forced to purchase them.
The Manager is scheduled to be on vacation this week and NOT at this week’s City Council meeting leaving Tom Moses, Christine O’Connor and Mr. Vaughn to answer why they didn’t feel this letter needed to be shared with the City Manager or the Council.
The Manager feels that this was just an administrative letter and not a big deal but my argument against that is the inspector General clearly states “This was not advantageous for the businesses and citizens of Lowell” and ‘Lowell’s purchase description is extremely vague and this description of the RFAS includes
details gleaned from this Office’s telephone conversations with Lowell’s Chief Procurement Office, Fire Chief, City Solicitor and a complainant.
I think that alone indicates that the city should have taken some action, the Manager should have been informed and the council brought up to date not to mention the many council candidates who may have wanted to take a position on this.
It is ironic that the LHA is the group who appealed to the State Inspector General because they disagreed with the cost, even after the city supplied 6 or 8 boxes at the $1,100.00 price.
The City Manager fought with Councilor Elliot over the LHA much of the early part of this year and kept saying he was working with them to assist in promoting housing for those in need and yet because of the LHA this might be the beginning of the end for the Manager.
Yes I think this whole situation has reached a point that opens the door for those who oppose the Manager.
Either his most trusted staff (CFO and Lawyer) left him out of the loop on a letter from the IG, he doesn’t ask / manage his direct reports enough (as evidenced by water/parking dept. heads) or he didn’t inform his bosses that the State Inspector General found a flaw and a policy that was not advantageous for the businesses and citizens of Lowell.
Combine this IG letter with not informing the council on the LHA Issue (One of the mulligans he wanted to take), the Water Dept Head using city equipment and staff, A Parking Director not reporting a theft, forcing two members of the License Commission to resign and making the Council vote to support him or a long time Lowell businessman who has donated much time and money to this city even in the best of financial times allows the “Boo Birds” plenty of solid ammunition about his communication and management skills.
And all of this is from ME,someone who thinks overall he has done a solid job for this city and likes the Manager. imagine what those who dislike him are saying in the ‘bubble’!
Also it should be noted that while no asbestos was found the state found that the LHA should have done testing BEFORE any demolition was started.
Because of this non communication apparently by the CFO and Chief Legal counsel the big story of how successful the Tax Lien Auction was is on the back burner. Because of the funds received it should all but guarantee that Lowell will have a ZERO Tax increase for next year.
Also pushed aside is the legal opinion that the Greater Lowell Technical School Committee make-up “appears to present a clear constitutional violation”. This should bring a smile to two former City councilors, Brendan Fleming who has stated that on many occasions and George Anthes who has said he believes that for the past 6 months or more on City Life.
We have seen the Manager’s ’causes” to remove License Commission Chair Walter Bayliss but nothing against Atty. Weicker to justify asking him to resign. Atty. Weicker has a full time job and chose to not drag his name, his firm and his reputation through the Blogs and Sun so the Manager hasn’t had to show what cause he had against him.
My post on All or Nothing Walter Bayliss appeals inspired reader Joe to comment “The lawyer you spoke to is wrong. I call your attention to the case of McDonald v. Justices of the Superior Court, 299 Mass. 321′
My Legal consultant did look at that and reports that ‘it appears that Joe’s reliance on that 74-year-old McDonald case seems to be misplaced for a number of reasons’ I’ll post the entire response and material he supplied to me tomorrow.
School opens this week, how long before we get an explanation on what happened at Lowell High School and the reason the Pool was accessible with no camera’s or security checking it?
Had a great time with Saturday Morning Live and Warren Shaw at the Dream Diner in Tyngsboro yesterday. Marybeth Shanahan was a great host and her staff treated all of us from WCAP with great kindness and attention. the food was delicious and so was the company. Thank You all and Congratulations on 15 wonderful years!
Congratulations also to Mr. and Mrs. Jay Mason on celebrating 27 years of Marriage. Nice touch that on Facebook Jay claims to have married Jackie Doherty when she was 11 or 12!
Good luck to former Lowell guy / WCAP talker Rich Hancock who is running for a seat in the Texas House.
Speaking of house races, Cathy Richardson finds herself trying a weak explanation on why she will not debate her Republican opponent and the SUN’s editorial yesterday was pretty clear that if she can’t schedule a debate with 2 weeks notice, what happens if the House calls an emergency meeting or caucus? How many weeks notice will she need to debate Colleen Garry if she gets by George Boag on Sept. 6th?
Lowell Firefighter Larry Finn (another great Centralville guy) is holding his annual Coat Drive to benefit those in need of a winter coat here in Lowell.
You can drop off a coat anytime between now and Oct.19th at the Central Fire Station on Moody st. or this year meet Larry on Sept. 15th at the Starbucks in Drum Hill and if you bring him a coat, he will buy you a Coffee from 7-11 am.
If you know of someone in need of a coat, direct them to the Central Fire Station on October 20th where they can get a coat, coffee, hot chocolate and donut from Larry and the Lowell Firefighters.
Managing the City is a complicated business, made all the more difficult when people are fighting to get their piece of the pie.
But one complication that the Administration may be overlooking is that decisions should be made in the best interests of the City as a whole, not just the City government. In this particular case it appears that the City got what it wanted and a good deal in paying for it. But it also appears that the savings to the City may have come at the expense of private companies and residents. A problem with flowing down the responsibility for these decisions is that often the bigger picture is missed. The Administration should provide the guidance in these type of cases and make sure that it is followed through in practice. Informing the City Council of these plans should help ensure that the right balance is struck before going off in a particular direction.
The City faces the same type of decision when the budget is in the black (such as FY 2012 appears to be). If left to the taxpayer, all that excess would be applied to reduce taxes. But it seems that the Administration would take an opposite position and apply to all to the City reserves. The best solution probably lies somewhere in the middle.
Just where in the middle should be determined by discussions between the Administration and the City Council. In this way both the taxpayer and the fiscal health of the City should be considered. But in doing so the councilors must not just pander to the voter with short-sighted decisions, but strike a balance that is really best for the City.
First things first. We now know that information is routinely withheld from and by the King, only the tip of the iceberg as to what is withheld from the Council and are we to have blind faith that such a discussion would be had with all of the cards on the table?
Second, what of the various enterprise funds, which by statute are supposed to be funded and solvent, and what of the projected multi-million dollar deficits ?
Third, the sweetheart deal for the alarm company is such a fiasco thet one wonders when the property owners who were gouged will make the argument that the Great Alarm Ripoff was a tax, and seek direct abatement or set-off or property tax bills.
Is everything wonderful?
Thoms A. Wirtanen
Sir, you lose all credibility with your repeated use of the term “The King” when describing Manager Lynch. I’m finding it very difficult to take your posts seriously.
Is this still about your health insurance? Because, a simple Google search shows that it shouldn’t be that difficult since you are most likely well-to-do in this city. Hence your belief that you’re well connected in town and, therefore – deserving. That’s hilarious!
Sincerely,
Southie Lowellie
Dear Anonymous:
Stop Bobbleing for a minute and try reading what I post and the questions that I raise. If you think I am rich, you are sadly mistaken, and now you can post when you have ever heard the King admit being wrong about anything…. well, let’s hear it nameless yes-man, answer that question and then try writing something of substance that demonstrates your ability to think for the first time.
Part of what it is about is learning about your screwing in the newspaper rather than face-to face with the King if there was such a thing as common decency any more. I do not expect you to comprehend common decency, but the use of the word King is a reaction to the way he acts, and the pretense of infallibility, which is usually reserved for Kings and Popes.
So, no-name, how about it? See, I sign what I write and haven’t even seen an attempt at any answer from you to any of the salient questions or the rest of the yes-man bobbleheads.
Thomas A. Wirtanen
Well, at least you’re admitting where your anger stems from…then using your friend Mr. Bayliss as the scapegoat for expressing your displeasure at losing a sweet, but illegal, city perk. Good for you! Glad that reign of terror in our fair city’s past is over.
Dear No-name: The reign of terror is alive and well, if you bothered to watch the City Council meeting last night. If ever there was an argument for cleaning house, it was readily and disgustingly obvious last night. Since you obviously made no attempt to answer any of the relevant questions,it is likelly that you were bobbleing and yes-manning to such a disgusting display.
Thomas A. Wirtanen
Dear Mr. Wirtanen,
I am a no-name in the city of Lowell, and I prefer to keep it that way. I owe you nothing, sir. I already paid for your health insurance. What have you done for me?
It’s those of us in the background who laugh at this “Old Lowell” club who think they’re someone big in this city, and deserve perks because of it. I have no problem with my lot in life. I pay my taxes, support my family, and work a private sector job. So, I find the rantings of you, and the others who are watching their gravy train ride off into the sunset, quite amusing. Thanks!
Southie Lowellie