Lowell Mayor Patrick Murphy was a guest this morning on Saturday Morning Live on WCAP with Warren Shaw and surprised me when I asked him if he was going to be a candidate for re-election to the City Council.
Fully expecting him to say “YES” he caught me by surprise when he stated he was leaning toward NOT running.
You may not agree with the Mayor on everything but there is no doubt he has brought positive changes to the city and has gotten more people involved in the election process. He has (imho) also grown into the Mayor’s role when it comes to conducting the meeting and I think handles things better than he started out doing.
The city will not be better off without Patrick Murphy serving on the council.
You don’t have to agree with him on everything to appreciate his vision and committment to improving Lowell.
If he ends up not running it dramatically changes the Council Race and make-up.
At the very least the Mayor will have the bubble and undercurrent percolating and speculating on his comments.
Murphy is a question, shrouded in mystery, cloaked in an enigma; carried by a the Gingerbread Man.
To predicate a calculation based on what cards he shows you is folly.
You speak like a Liberal Democratic Politician – Why don’t you just say…don’t believe any BS until nomination papers are due in?
So today he’s leaning one way..Tomorrow the wind blows another…Whatever the case by publicly stating on the radio that today he’s leaning against running..He causes a ripple in the bubble…
BTW if you missed Steve Lynch he was GREAT today…NOT anti-woman as some will try to paint him.
Except, Gerry, I don’t think Murphy was giving you any BS. He knows the BS will spin off, from those talking, after he shut up. Murphy is in a different league. Like Obama, playing 3 level chess to other’s checkers.
I need a new metaphor for him. Something that would be a love child of “Johnny Appleseed’ and “The Gingerbread Man,” Raised by “The Riddler.” (The Frank Gorshin version, of course.)
Lastly, how I speak is how you hear. Ya dig?
a question, shrouded in mystery, cloaked in an enigma is actually a pretty good description but you have to fit in his Irish background
Gerry — had to re-read sentence one, paragraph four (at one point in my life I almost became an English teacher, so I still get double negative-itis).
I will carry my bias on my sleeve (I have gotten to work w/Patrick closely for several months and to observe him for many more), but must say that you are 100% right in your assessment.
Patrick embodies many of the things people often SAY they want in an elected official when they are asked. He doesn’t kowtow to authority (esp. when it’s of the self-styled, pompous variety), he doesn’t say things he doesn’t mean, and he cares more about the city than about the political perception of any particular decision or act.
When Kevin B. stepped down, the city lost a person of real substance from the Council. I’m not sure what Patrick’s plans are — and perhaps he isn’t, either — but will respect whatever decision he makes (just as I respect Kevin’s decision). Throughout the upcoming campaign season, I hope the blogging community pays attention to whoever is talking about real substance, policy, and ideas, as opposed to vague platitudes and uncontroversial statements, i.e. “I support children,” “I believe in quality-of-life” or “I’m a bridge-builder.” Who doesn’t, and who isn’t?
A Mayor is a job is needed,,,With everybody on the same pages…But Mayor Murphy is Young its take time…..But he should waited a another year,Before he wanted to be mayor…Mr.Murphy Run again…its only Feb…….
Nice fix on that sentence, btw…
I can be taught ! Still need a full time editor
Need an editor Gerry? I’m available in 10 months… Maybe you can find some grant funding to hire me.
If I could afford you I wouldn’t have to write..just give you the facts or thoughts and you’de be the writer…Boy would i look good…I’d beter start playing Megabucks and Powerball now.