Thanks to a disgruntled incompetent Ex-Inspector, a bitter Councilor and a newspaper Editor with a Personal Agenda against the City Administration and the Executive Director of the LHA, the taxpayers of this state had money and time of the IG and FBI along with many other agencies wasted chasing NON-Issues and unfounded accusations. It’s to bad Camacho/Elliot and the Sun can’t get billed for the waste of time they caused.
Here is the IG’s Letter..wonder what if anything the Sun will Post???
Gary Wallace, Executive Director
Lowell Housing Authority
350 Moody Street
Lowell, MA 01854
Re: Allegations of Illegal Removal of Asbestos and Lead at the Lowell Housing Authority -North Common Village
Dear Mr. Wallace:
In February 2012, the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General (MA OIG) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted an investigation into allegations that asbestos and lead paint had been abated and removed at the North Common Village (NCV) without the proper permits and then disposed of illegally.
In response to these allegations, the MA OIG and the FBI conducted several interviews, reviewed numerous documents, and retained an independent laboratory to test material that allegedly came from NCV and that allegedly contained asbestos.
As a result of the investigation, it was determined that the allegations were unfounded;
The evidence demonstrates that the Lowell Housing Authority (LHA) handled the removal and disposal of both the exposed asbestos and the lead before the NCV renovations began in 2008. The LHA provided this office with documentation demonstrating that the LHA entered into an asbestos removal contract with Northern Asbestos Abatement Company (NAACO) on September 14, 1988. The NAACO removed and properly disposed of the NCV asbestos.
Similarly, the investigation also found no evidence that the LHA concealed the removal of lead from any of the NCV buildings.
The investigation found that lead was removed and disposed of properly in late 1999 and 2000 in all 536 NCV units. Moreover, letters of full deleading compliance were sent to the LHA by ATC Associates, Inc. in the summer of 2000.
Based on this investigation, the MA DIG concludes that the allegations of illegal removal and disposal of asbestos and lead at the NCV complex have no evidentiary basis. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact my office.
Sincerely,
Glenn A. Cunha Inspector General
Wasnt it Rodney Elliot and Fred Doyle screaming from the mountain tops that heads will roll when all the info comes out on the LHA with their lead and asbestos issues ? Yup, lets hear what they have to say now, the floor is yours councilor Elliot, your quick to accuse, now your wrong, will you apologize?
The boy continued to cry wolf, until soon no one would pay attention to him.
GOB LOWELL POLITICS IS BACK?
LHA compliance issues, Inspector General reports, Fire Alarm system bidding process questions, parking department woes, Ameresco contracts … can you spell scapegoat? City Manager Bernie Lynch has engaged in a mission to “clean up dodge” in Lowell (fomerly East Chelmsford). Those in the camps of the FIRED (Trump style) and all who have benefitted by old Lowell politics are up in arms. They also have the ears of key City Councilors. Remember Councilor Elliots recent comment “I’ve received a couple of calls.” at the last City Council Meeting? Its deja vu all over again. (Ref. Yogi Berra) Expect more of this.
The City Manager forges on undaunted, knowing that his accomplishments in Lowell and Chelmsford cement his future … a future so bright he should probably “wear shades”. (Ref. Frank Zappa) Throughout world history, many of those with the highest accomplishments have been eventually been brutally attacked. Greed and avarice are part of human nature.
This is by no means personal conflict. Make no mistake GOB Lowell politics is back with a vengeance. Rita Mercier wields the most power on the City Council, so the politically astute Mayor Murphy doesn’t want to be viewed as her antagonist. Recent jousts have vastly been blown up by the Lowell Sun to fuel their agenda.
The Sun continues its anti-Manager Lynch/Mayor Murphy campaign as Jim Campanini continues to engineer a coup with the single purpose of the Manager’s ouster. Former award winning ace reporter for the Lowell Sun and current Mayor’s Aide Jen Meyers is under fire. Is anyone surprised?
The following is my tally of where the City Council stands relative to support of the City Manager.
Mayor Murphy
Bill Martin
Vesna Nuon
Joe Mendonca
Marty Lorrey
Rita Mercier
John Leahy
Ed Kennedy
Rodney Elliot
Follow the votes.
Tune in if you feel unrepresented. Better yet, first read Chris Strobel and Robert Forrant’s book “The Big Move”.
As the saying goes, “You don’t know what you’ve got til its gone.” (Ref. Joni Mitchell)
No matter what happens with this situation, If you live in Lowell, “you’re feeling the change of the guard.” (Ref. Steeley Dan) This no one can stop.
So what does Lowell want to be exactly? Stay tuned to “Lowell2020″.