The Sun: Putting the "Doo" in "Due Diligence."

Last week, on City Life, City Manager Kevin Murphy noted that the blogs have been quiet. That most of Lowell's online political media activity has been on Facebook. *blush* He noticed. (Link)

He must mean competent political media because the Blog of Record sure has been loud.

due diligence noun
1: the care that a reasonable person exercises to avoid harm to other persons or their property

Unfortunately, being witness to the consistent malfeasance puked out onto the pages of The Sun (I won't call it The "Lowell" Sun anymore, out of sheer embarrassment), we are compelled to apply 'doo' in the place of 'due.'

doo–doo noun
\ˈdü-(ˌ)dü\: solid waste discharged from the body

Let's start with what passes for 'reporting' these days -
Lowell Housing Authority opening awakens old feud
Lyle Moran (6/8/14)

Some councilors are hoping to see Murphy appoint McMahon, who had served on the LHA for five years, and has acknowledged applying. He was chairman for a time.

But Murphy has sent out word he will not appoint McMahon. A primary reason is that he wants unanimous support for his pick, and that Milinazzo would definitely not vote for McMahon.

Oh, my! Maybe that's why Milinazzo flipped his vote to Murphy? Just to hold a big chit to make this block? Oh, sorry. You aren't the gullible Sun readers are you? Cynical speculation pulled from a hairy tookus doesn't cut it for Lowell's blog lurkers.

Moran's inane grapples for skew drag on with cherry picked remembrances, selectively creating a crooked crumb trail to the modern era. I was particularly dazzled by this tidbit -

McMahon says he does not think Milinazzo should vote on any LHA appointments because it is a conflict, pointing to Milinazzo 's family ties to LHA Assistant Executive Director Maryann Maciejewski.

Milinazzo said Maciejewski is his wife's first cousin and a friend, and there is no reason for him not to vote on LHA appointments. He recommended McMahon read the state ethics laws.

Milinazzo's recommendation is the most astute thing printed in the whole syllabic conglomeration.

Shall we visit another reading of the tea leaves? Let's gaze back to the end of the Cox era.

Paton was least disagreeable candidate for post on the Lowell Housing Authority
Chris Scott (12/20/06)

With some lobbying on Paton 's behalf, Milinazzo was convinced to back Paton 's candidacy.

Paton , a Democrat and a Billerica school teacher, came to the Housing Authority about seven years ago, courtesy of an appointment from a Republican governor.

About two years ago, he was replaced by James Hall Jr., a Republican.

But before being ousted, he was part of the movement that ousted Milinazzo as LHA executive director a few years back after a successful decade at the helm.

Milinazzo made mention of that last night, saying Paton "was part of a group that ended my career at the LHA -- and I did love that job."

But Milinazzo said that during most of Paton 's tenure, he showed a passion for LHA residents, and the job, that stood out.

"For those reasons, I will put my personal differences with Mark aside and vote to support his appointment," Milinazzo said.
-snip

... Paton displaced Robert McMahon, who many years ago was an LHA client himself, living at the former Julian D. Steele complex on Gorham Street. It's a fact that McMahon, a unionized "liquor salesman," always thought made him uniquely qualified to serve on the board.

But that wasn't enough, and neither were supportive words that came his way from two city councilors, Rita Mercier and Edward "Bud" Caulfield. His biggest proponent on the council, Armand Mercier, couldn't participate in the discussion or vote because his son, Dennis, is employed by the LHA as a property manager.

Rita Mercier, who voted "present" (the final vote was 7-0), implied strongly that she finds it troubling that anyone could be removed from a post he enjoyed -- and by most accounts did a solid job at -- for political reasons.

But it's precisely what her guy, former City Manager John Cox, did to McMahon's predecessor, Thomas Haran, to appoint McMahon, with whom he is close.

In arguing for McMahon, Caulfield and Mercier probably forgot that McMahon played a ringleader's role in last summer's downtown rally for Cox about the time six city councilors hastened his resignation as city manager.

But those six city councilors -- Kevin Broderick, Eileen Donoghue, Rodney Elliott, Mayor Bill Martin, James Milinazzo and George Ramirez -- certainly didn't.

Hmmm. Seems Jim Milinazzo has a track record of not sweating the small shit. (Remember, also, he voted for Elliott to be mayor.) How is it that the Enterprise Editor didn't advise the cub reporter? Maybe, Campi interceded to get a better spin?

If I was as cynical, as the political pornographers on Dutton St, I'd connect McMahon to Lowell's latest celebrity developer, Dave Daly. Then, ultimately, drawing a bad bloodline to wobbly training wheels in the corner office of City Hall.

That failed Westview Road project will donate more to Lowell's modern political era, than a DiPaolo brown paper bag.

The Lupoli - Belanger Connection

On WCAP, this morning, Corey Belanger asserted the South Common site was the best place for a new high school to be built.

In the same breaths, Belanger also labored to prove out that students going to and fro from school are deleterious for most of the business in the DT. If we take that as gospel, Sal Lupoli is gonna be pretty pissed about moving the LHS to South Common. Twice a day, pedestrian students will stream, from the Highlands and South Lowell, like lemmings, past the Thorndike miracle.

Or, just maybe, the student rush hours hold a promise of riches for those in the right place, selling the right stuff?

By fronting the South Common location, Belanger has tied himself to Lupoli. But, is it by a "brass ring" or an "albatross?"

"Heavy Lies The Crown .... Sorta Thing."

So many pro's & con's associated to Kevin Murphy becoming Lowell's next City Manager have been stirring in my head. I hear those that portend a reversal of many steps forward in good governance. Others, are more optimistic, citing Murphy's sense of stewardship, efficacy and a mindfulness of his public service legacy.

As my mind works in an algorithmic trading of iconic metaphors, my imagination conjured this:



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C.Belanger: "My Mistake."

The normally cheerful Kendall Wallace opted to throw a brush back pitch (Link) at Councilor Belanger's noggin.

I’ve always felt people regarded as experts in their field are a good source to rely on when trying to make a decision. Apparently, fresh­man City Councilor Corey Belanger doesn’t share that view, as he has tried to sidetrack the effort by the Lowell School Committee to move forward with the exciting plans for the downtown Lowell High School project. He has called for “ another review of the options” that have been reviewed for the past five years.
- snip

Like every major project, it has taken nearly five years to get to the point the city is asking for approval from the state to move forward with this ambitious revitalization. In that period, tons of research and other options have been explored. The school department hired additional consultants and there was unanimous agreement that keeping the high school downtown and doing an impressive architecturally pleasing facility was the best option.

It seemed everybody was in agreement that this is the way to go, until Belanger asked his colleagues to again review the options.

One would think if you are on the council or run for public office you are aware that a great deal of research has taken place for the city to get to this point.

Ya. One would think.

Put Up or STFU (Updated)

There's a lot of talk around the future of the Lowell High School. Some of it is validated by our City government, via the City Council & School Committee, and some of it is validated by (pardon my candor) blogging and blabbing shitheels.

It's a tug-o-war, of sorts. Which is playing out, isolated, in the Bubble.

I'd like to make one simple observation. On one side of the tugging, is the notion that the LHS should remain where it is. There is a lot of work to be done.

There are several plans that incorporate this concept. All voted on by our elected officials in one fashion or another.

Long story short, it looks like this:

This concept is fleshed out, in part or whole, by:

The Speck Plan (Link)
Lowell Plan- UML: Downtown Initiative Report (Link)
Sustainable Lowell 2025 - The Master Plan (Link)

Very reputable people, from within Lowell and beyond, have put countless hours into the information contained in the links above.

All of this has been absorbed and reviewed in public meetings, culminating in a vote by the City Council to follow the School Committee's recommendations to begin a process with the Massachusetts School Building Authority. In the Fall of 2014, discussion will begin over the considerations and recommendations made in this report (Link).

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I'm not convinced all the information provided above, really is the best way forward. My inclination is to deeply consider the proposal of the other side tugging the rope. Even though my gut reaction is to distrust the aforementioned shitheels.

Maybe, though, just maybe .. they can offer a compelling argument? Let's review what has been offered to date.

Corey Belanger's Purview

I meant to catch Corey Belanger, tonight, but the Council went immediately into Executive Session. So, I'll wing it here.

Within the confines of this motion:

Vote-Authorize Statement of Interest for the Lowell High School under Core Program

Plus, these two combined

C. Belanger/C. Milinazzo - Req. that as School Department moves forward with search for administration offices that consideration be given to boost downtown economic development.

M. Elliott - Req. City Mgr. report on marketing/advertising costs, media outlets, vendors and consultants used to promote City.

I get the feeling that a power struggle is coming on.

It was in the first motion where Belanger started to flex. The notion whirled around the process of securing funds for school renovations/improvements (Link).

Bernie Lynch's "Employment Agreement."

Below is what our more breathy Councilors prefer to call a 'contract." By title, it is an 'Employment Agreement.'

For some reason Councilor Kennedy is striking a pose, as if our next City Manager won't get such a thing. He will, in some shape or fashion. At a bare minimum, there is ordinance that covers non-Union employees. I doubt Kevin Murphy will take a bare bones ordinance type handshake.

As you read this document, it makes you think of things that you may not of considered, e.g. Section 15: Indemnification I seriously doubt Kevin Murphy will leave his ass hanging out for some pissed off police Union to take his house, sometime down the road.

Take a gander. After Murphy swears in, I'll get you a copy of his agreement. Though, it will likely be leaked to The Sun by then. The paperboys on the Council will be climbing all over themselves to please Campi.

Enjoy!

Did You?!

Leave it all on the field?

I'll be here.

With my chin up and eye contact, steady.

This is a new beginning.

Ostensibly, Best Choice - Greg Balukonis (Updated)

The game was rigged.

Kevin Murphy's Coronation, with Dogs & Ponies (Link)

What is maddening, the Lowell City Council will go through an utterly fake City Manager search, complete with dogs and ponies. It will be quite the show. It may even prove out, that Kevin Murphy was the best applicant, after all. Never mind that it has looked like a bag job from Day 1, so no reasonably astute candidates will even bother applying.

27 Chumps (Link)

The presumption that Kevin Murphy WILL be Lowell's next City Manager is so strong and so pervasive, I can't find anyone in the bubble that will risk speaking out at the fakery around the 'process' mayor Elliott is rigging together. The only chance that certain crooked cards will be exposed is, if and when, the Council allows the public to enter the process.

Our Next City Manager & A Level Playing Field (Link)

I've said before, and I'll say it again: In regards to selecting Lowell's next City Manager, at least 5 City Councilors will worry more, if the pick is a friend to THEM. Rather than, a friend to Lowell.

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Hands Down, Best Interview - Murphy

Every fiber of my sense of reform, illustrated by the scoffing and taunting jotted out in multiple diaries, down blog; is convulsing while coming to grips with the reality that Kevin Murphy crushed that interview. Several things alarmed me. I'll bullet those out, below. Overall, he hit every note on most every level.

In my heart, I want so badly to break the crooked ring of our House delegation. I watched them pummel Bernie Lynch, using The Sun and other shit heel surrogates. But, let me tell you, "Mary," Lowell don't play beanbag. As such, I can't imagine how Kevin Murphy is not our next City Manager.

I am this close to endorsing Kevin Murphy, based on tonight. This makes me sick. I don't know if my queasy gut is coming from a jaded fatalism or from a bruised, yet lingering, hope that we can hold Kevin Murphy, true to his word

The Drubbing of John Leahy

I'll admit it. I have, metaphorically, beaten John Leahy about the head and neck (Link). So, believe you me, I know what political 'nudging' looks like. Since the City Council is fairly divided in philosophy about Lowell's 'vision,' Leahy is caught smack dab in the middle. And for that, he is being pummeled (Link).

My point is this, I am floored whenever I see the notion of 'ethics' and the 'perception of impropriety' thrown around in the scrum of Lowell politics. The proverbial 'pot calling the kettle black' is the ultimate frame of reference here. Who remembers the firing of Andy Sheehan?

RITA MERCIER told The Column she didn't vote to eliminate the position, she voted to get rid of the person (Link).

Houston, we have a problem!

The Forthcoming 0.75% Convention & Visitor Bureau Tax

Did you see this motion discussed, tonight?

C. Belanger - Req. City Mgr. provide a report on income produced on .75 additional meals tax enacted July 1, 2010.

When the video archive comes up, do take a look at the meeting and listen to what C. Belanger doesn't say. He never once says Greater Merrimack Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau (Link). Which seemed odd because, I'd bet it was on the tip of his tongue.

Note: Dick Howe reports Belanger did say "CVB." (Link) #jumpball
Note 2 (3/19, 16:20): I was wrong. Belanger said "MRT and Convention & Visitors Bureau,' which actually didn't make sense. The context was using the 0.75% increase to promote business. The CVB is not the same as the MRT or LMA. The CVB is a business that promotes, it is not promoted. Which, I'd argue, only reinforces the notion that Belanger means to reinsert the City's teat into the CVB's mouth.

C.Belanger is looking for the sum of revenue that is raised from a Lowell specific bump in the meals tax. He wants to put it towards a dedicated purpose. Rather than simply applying it to 'balance the budget.' He suggested certain applications, like marketing.

By a show of hands. Who remember's this brouhaha?

St. Patrick's Day - Two Mayors, Two Outcomes.

In 2013, Mayor Murphy spoke and what he uttered will not be forgotten. (Link)

In 2014, mayor Elliott spoke and what he said has ALREADY BEEN FORGOTTEN.

The Ring in Lowell's Nose

It’s time to have a tough, candid talk. It has to be said.

Lowell craves to spend other people’s money.

Are you wincing because I put it out there? It’s true. We hate to admit it. For all the rote blather about keeping taxes low, Lowell adores spending tax dollars. So many here, especially in the bubble, feed from a table, adorned by the taxpayers. Of this, I, too, am guilty. But, I’ll be forthright in ways I only see from Councilor Mercier. She doesn’t shrink from her incomes. She has earned it. And, she has!

What irks me? Is the many that talk fiscal conservative, but gorge from the trough of public monies. Some are public servants. They are directly employed by the government, but they decry government spending. There is a special place in my heart for municipal, unionized workers that supported Scott Brown. These folks, imho, are special. Touched by an angel.

Then, we have the contractors, seeking to win bids for a variety of services. You know LOTS of these guys. They are all over Lowell, crying poor mouth. They demand release of funding for shovel ready projects. Yet, all the while, gripe about the stifling choke of regulations and taxation.

Lowell is just choke full of these folks. They hold their heads high and brag of their enterprises. Why? Because Lowell gets a buttload of money from OUTSIDE OF LOWELL. It’s like freakin’ Monopoly money. Manna from heaven! So, why should we really care how it is spent.

Well, it ain’t monopoly money. They take it at the Longmeadow, Mount Pleasant, the East End Club and every other haunt where our shrewd family and friends bend an elbow, smirking and winking to one another over their ‘inside joke.’

I say that, to say this:

Lowell gives way too much power and prestige to our elected Beacon Hill delegation.

City Manager Finalist: George Ramirez

I went to City Hall and requested the cover letters and résumés of the finalists being considered for Lowell's next City Manager. These documents are vital to understanding how each candidate chose to 'project themselves' for evaluation. The choices they made, in their biography and professional attributes, are their first tangible effort to craft a narrative that can be told about them, as they proceed through the process.

Please read this carefully. What is this candidate trying to project to the City Council? To us?

Note: Redacted personal information, such as addresses and phone numbers.

City Manager Finalist: Kevin Murphy

I went to City Hall and requested the cover letters and résumés of the finalists being considered for Lowell's next City Manager. These documents are vital to understanding how each candidate chose to 'project themselves' for evaluation. The choices they made, in their biography and professional attributes, are their first tangible effort to craft a narrative that can be told about them, as they proceed through the process.

Please read this carefully. What is this candidate trying to project to the City Council? To us?


Note: Redacted personal information, such as addresses and phone numbers.

The Arc of Lowell Bends Towards Inclusion

"Dr. King once said that the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice. It bends towards justice, but here is the thing: it does not bend on its own. It bends because each of us in our own ways put our hand on that arc and we bend it in the direction of justice...." - Senator Barack Obama, speaking on the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King.

It cannot be argued that the 3 men quoted, below, were determined to bend the arc, here in Lowell. Inclusion brings justice.

"Lowell is at its best when everyone sets aside short-term political considerations and rallies together for broad community benefit. When this happens, Lowell has proven its capacity to achieve major eco­nomic and community development goals to the envy of most of its peers." - Adam Baacke (A Sun Special Insert, Offline)

...

When The Sun Knew The Score

Back in the day, 2006, when The Sun (Link) still mostly looked like a group of journalists, they could get caught speaking truth to power. Even if from the most unlikely of sources.

So much for a nationwide search for city manager
The Sun (6/21/06)

Christopher Clark, Edward R. Clifford, Thaddeus J. Jankowski Jr., Odis Jones, Daniel Keyes, Monica Lamboy, Ronald Massey, Thomas Moses, David Owen, Scott Randall, Vincent Servello, Frederick Welch.
Ever heard of those people before? Didn't think so. They're all people who applied for the job of Lowell city manager and were passed over.

At first blush, they all appear to have the credentials and qualifications to at least merit an interview. A phone call? A Google, for God's sake?

It appears Lowell city councilors don't think so.

So much for nationwide searches, huh? Bet you didn't know Lowell is its own nation.

Councilors, searching for a new city manager to replace the departing John Cox, said they would search wide and high, and they received applications from places as wide and high as Washington, D.C. (the aforementioned Monica Lamboy), Auburn Hills, Mich. (Scott Randall), Corpus Christi, Texas (Ronald Massey).

What's missing from the resumes of the three applicants ? Apparently, a connection to Lowell.

Of the 37 resumes received, councilors picked five finalists, and here's what we learned: Boston is about as wide and high as councilors are willing to search. And then only if that person used to work in Lowell.

Heck, even Worcester, where applicant Thaddeus Jankowski is the assistant city manager , is too far away.

Here are the finalists and their connections to the city: Paul Cohen (grew up in Lowell), Frank Keefe (lives in Boston but is a former consultant on the Tsongas Arena project), Edward Kennedy (former Lowell city councilor), Bernie Lynch (current Chelmsford town manager, went to ULowell, gets his hair cut in Lowell) and Diana Prideaux-Brune (current vice chancellor at UMass Lowell, former chief planner in Lowell, former project manager for the Lowell Arena and Civic Stadium Commission).

There is something to be said for hiring a candidate who has a working knowledge of the city. That's always a good thing. 

But so is having a working knowledge of our nation's capital, or of such cities as Auburn Hills and Corpus Christi. Former upper-level administrators from those three cities applied and were passed over. For Edward Kennedy.

One would think that those councilors with whom Cox fell out of favor -- Kevin Broderick, Eileen Donoghue, Rodney Elliott, Mayor Bill Martin, James Milinazzo and George Ramirez -- would want to stay away from the perception of their "nationwide search" ending in a quick gander through the good-ol'-boy (and good-ol'-girl) files.

But how else do you explain Kennedy and Keefe being finalists?

Next time you bump into a city councilor, ask them if they really think Kennedy or Keefe is more highly qualified for this job than Lamboy or some of the applicants who were passed over with nary a phone call.

Heck, if they're looking for a career administrator in small-town Massachusetts, they could just as easily have chosen David Owen (with experience in Needham, Burlington, Maynard and Salem, N.H.), Richard Agnew (Scituate, Needham, Marshfield), Thomas Moses (Gloucester), Andrew Vanni (Middleton, Bolton) and Frederick Welch (Seabrook, Pittsfield and Belmont, N.H.) as Lynch (Chelmsford) and Cohen (Harvard, Natick).

But none of those guys has buddies on the Lowell City Council.

Next time, they should just put that on the list of qualifications.

Dan Phelps' e-mail address is dphelps@lowellsun.com.

27 Chumps

The Blog of Record "reports:"

The city received 29 applications from people seeking to become Lowell's next city manager, and the City Council's process to select one of them for the job will begin on Monday.

The council has scheduled a special meeting for 5 p.m. Monday to discuss the next steps it will take in its efforts to replace City Manager Bernie Lynch, who departs March 10. Lynch, who has served as manager since the summer of 2006, announced his resignation at the first council meeting of the year in January.
-snip

State Rep. Kevin Murphy, a Lowell Democrat, confirmed on Friday he is one of the applicants. Murphy did not respond to a request for additional comment. 

Another expected applicant was George Ramirez, a former city councilor and currently the executive vice president of Devens operations for MassDevelopment.
(Link)

By my count, that makes 27 chumps. Insiders have their money on Kevin Murphy, but are hedging their bets on the wild card, Ramirez. Elections have consequences. With Rodney Elliott coming in 2nd, which accounts for about about 10% of Lowell's registered voters, we are forced to grapple with shallow political practices like cronyism (Link).

Our current mayor is very palsy with Kevin Murphy.

The presumption that Kevin Murphy WILL be Lowell's next City Manager is so strong and so pervasive, I can't find anyone in the bubble that will risk speaking out at the fakery around the 'process' mayor Elliott is rigging together. The only chance that certain crooked cards will be exposed is, if and when, the Council allows the public to enter the process.

This Is Your Kid's Brain On Rodney Elliott

This is what happens when hollow, political rhetoric is matched up against data.

A modified "screen grab" of the slides the City Manager used at the Feb 25th City Council meeting.