From the City of Lowell Website:

Election Commission
The Election Commission is responsible for managing and conducting all municipal, state, and federal elections within the City of Lowell from start to finish. Four (4) members, representing two (2) parties, are appointed to a four (4) year term. Diverse political party affiliation required. City Council Confirmation is required. Statute Reference: C.154 Acts 1920; C.115 Acts 1921; MGL C.131 Acts 1923; MGL C.594 Acts 1945; C.725 Acts 1957; MGL C.30 Acts 1992; MGL C.4, s.12.

So if the Commissioners are responsible for managing and conducting all municipal, state, and federal elections within the City of Lowell who hired Marsha Weinerman the former Executive Director of Elections in Cambridge MA to be an “Election Day Observer” at what cost and why?

I was told by a person in the know that the Commissioners met the women in the City election office but thought she worked for the City and didn’t know she was a paid “Observer”. From her perch in the office, what was it she was “observing’ and why?

So why didn’t the Commissioners know about this “Observer” or is this a case where some commissioners knew and some didn’t. A similar scenario we sometimes hear from City Councilors. Shouldn’t they as the people responsible for the election be made aware of this observer and the reason she was hired?

Tomorrow night I hope Councilor Kennedy can get these questions answered. Maybe he can ask why the Commissioners who are supposed to meet monthly have not been meeting and find out exactly when the last meeting was.

Sure appears that the Administration drove out the Election Clerk Gail Cenick and a longtime city worker Joanne O’Brien while the Manager’s Chairman Dennis Teague didn’t hold meetings.

It appears similar to the Water Dept. where a rank and file worker gets whacked while Dan Lahiff gets a $5,000 Fine and keeps his job. The little guy gets whacked or treated poorly while the Manager’s chosen ones get a pass.

Maybe we will find out more tomorrow?