mayor Elliott's 'False Flag.'

False flag (or black flag) describes covert military or paramilitary operations designed to deceive in such a way that the operations appear as though they are being carried out by other entities, groups or nations than those who actually planned and executed them. (Link)

Last Wednesday, mayor Elliott brought his unique brand of political cancer to the School Committee. Lucky them! I've taken the liberty to work up a video that, in my opinion, illustrates Elliott's malfeasance. But, please, take advantage of LTC's archiving system and watch the whole thing there (Link). The motion starts at the 38:09 mark.





mayor Elliott is a charlatan. Don't be confused by whatever other motivation you may have for supporting this faker. Besides, Bernie Lynch is gone, so you can flush, now. Let him swirl the bowl until 2015.

As for the 'False Flag,' you should note, Rodney Elliott never saw a budget he wouldn't slash. Why do you all of a sudden think he gives a rat's ass about Lowell's public schools? The damage to the 'school side' lies in Rodney Elliott's lap.


Remember, this?
Councilors spar over tax hike
The Sun 1/5/11
... During budget deliberations, Elliott suggested an across-the-board cut of 2.5 percent to every line item, which Broderick said is not feasible.
"We cannot just not pay 2.5 percent of our utility bills," he said. "It doesn't work. What are we going to do, not plow the streets?"
Elliott took exception to Broderick 's comments.
"At least I walk the walk," Elliott said. "When I campaign, when I say we need to reduce taxes and cut spending, that is what I do. Just speak the truth -- that is what it is about."
Mayor James Milinazzo then gaveled Elliott down, accusing him of kicking off his re-election campaign in the Council Chamber. (Emphasis mine)

Note how Elliott doesn't proclaim his zeal to fund education.

Later, in 2011, it got worse:
Tax-relief plans face vote by Council
The Sun - 10/17/11

When City Manager Bernie Lynch confirmed last week that the city will receive $1.5 million in additional local aid from the state this fiscal year, he said he would like to put some of the money toward reducing the planned 2.5-percent increase in property taxes.
Since then, three councilors have urged Lynch to follow through with his tax-relief suggestion, but they disagree on how much of the funding should go toward reducing the expected tax hike, or even whether a designated amount should be determined by the council.
-snip

Councilor Patrick Murphy has filed a motion requesting Lynch consider the city's adopted strategic and fiscal management goals for property-tax relief, as well as net school spending , minimum reserves and snow-and-ice removal budgeting when deciding how to use the additional local aid.
Murphy said it is difficult to determine the exact amount of funding that should go toward limiting the increase in property taxes before the city determines its other financial needs, but he believes tax relief should be a "significant part" of any plan Lynch devises for using the local-aid money.
Putting money toward snow-and-ice budgeting will reduce the size of the snow-and-ice deficit for the next budget cycle, and placing some of the funding in the city's reserves would boost the city's long-term fiscal health, he said.
"One thing listed as a way to boost our bond rating was putting aside some reserves," Murphy said.
Councilor Rodney Elliott , chairman of the council's finance subcommittee, last week said he would like Lynch to put all $1.5 million toward reducing the planned tax increase because taxpayers are struggling to pay their bills. Elliott was the lone councilor to vote against the budget because of the tax increases it included.(Emphasis mine)

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For two weeks, we have been subjected to mayor Elliott's prattle about 'net school spending,' as if he is some sort of champion of the people. Rodney Elliott is rarely nuanced when it comes to fiscal policy. His position is return the money to the taxpayers. It is a neat whistle during election season.

The article immediately above spells it out:
Patrick Murphy's proposal-"Lynch consider the city's adopted strategic and fiscal management goals for property-tax relief, as well as net school spending , minimum reserves and snow-and-ice removal budgeting when deciding how to use the additional local aid."

Murphy accounts for ''net school spending."

Rodney Elliott's proposal - "Lynch to put all $1.5 million toward reducing the planned tax increase because taxpayers are struggling to pay their bills. Elliott was the lone councilor to vote against the budget because of the tax increases it included."

Lowellians should call mayor Elliott out on his incessant caterwauling, which is 'inconsistent,' at best. If not, blatant fraud.

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The bottom line on this "net school spending" kerfuffle:

You, dear Reader, know as well as I the CM puts the City Council ahead of the School Side. (That is his unsung job.) He got the City Council the 0% tax increase they wanted, so they could look good for the 2013 election. Cry all you want about him playing politics, but he let the Council off the hook. Now a couple of them, like Elliott and Kennedy, want to play dumb, like they don't know what went down. How the savings from moving to the GIC was coming home to roost. Worse, they want to use a net positive against Lynch, as he departs.

The City Council screwed the School side. They used their hatchet man, the City Manager. Now they are throwing him under the bus, as he moves on. Elliott and Kennedy are backstabbers.

The City Council made their deal with the Devil. They thought making Hot Rod mayor would get him to play nice. (If you think about it, Elliott effectively blackmailed his peers into supporting him. "If you don't make me mayor, I'll ..." *ears steam*)

Regardless, now those poor slobs over at the School Committee are stuck with this throbbing grand stander. Will they come up with some chin music that will soothe the self absorbed beast?

Update: If you prefer, please join the conversation on this diary at Lowell Live Feed Forum (Link).