Endorsing Baker - Lowell's Crop of "Cake & Eat It, Too" Democrats

Lowell is not unique. Cities, like Quincy and Chicopee, suffer this cancerous malady. I'm referring to elected Democrats "crossing party lines." Ostensibly, because they "vote for the best person." They disguise their ruse, as stewardship. But, it is nothing more than cowardly, hedging of the electorates muses; while positioning their self-interest close to those that hold the ladle of tax dollars.

For the selfish, transaction minded politician, the world of politics is seen through this lens:

Bring Home The Bacon Politics

While Republicans decry 'wasteful government spending,' many Democrats try to straddle a line, posing as a 'fiscal watchdog.' Yet, all the while, their only focus is robbing Peter to pay Paul. And, THEIR constituents are ALL named Paul! These charlatans become practiced in the art of insidiously using tax payer funded largess to barter influence, cronyism (fill in the blank _______ with tactics that slant the playing field), etc. Such a scheme is wildly successful in Massachusetts politics. When you are an elected patron, using 'juice' to get jobs and contracts; looking for folks to hold signs, knock doors, phone bank is easy, breezy beautiful. And, when you begin to factor in familial saturation, via the Fabergé effect (Link), the votes start to pile up.

Recently, Lowell has had a bumper crop of "Life Long Democrats!" crossing party lines, And, while it is pure speculation, as to what their motives are, I hold my votes for those that more clearly define what they are, and what they are not.

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.

Would You Offer Your Throat to the Wolf with the Red Roses?

In the run up to 6p.m. Monday, I'm going to scramble out various counters to the spin swirling in Lowell.

meme noun \ˈmēm\
: an idea, behavior, style, or usage that spreads from person to person within a culture

The notion that the Council dare not refuse Rep. Murphy's advances, for fear that his wrath will create a barrier between Lowell and the funding levels we desire from Beacon Hill. Further, to defy Murphy, is to defy the station of the Rep's office. Doing so, could infuriate the other members of the delegation, compounding Lowell's fiscal woes.

Let's not refuse to notice the subtext of 'political extortion,' but, moving along ...

This meme, and complicit parallel "logic," depicts Lowell as this:

Self reliance? Pfft.. Gimmie! Gimmie more!

It seems to me that Lowell has done rather well in harvesting bacon from Boston in the last 7 years, with many giving credit, solely, to the delegation.

This happened despite the buzz that the phone lines between Lowell City Hall and Bacon...uh....Beacon Hill were apparently severed. So, now we are supposed to believe that because there will be a State Rep in the corner office there will suddenly be more $$ coming into the city from the state?

Has the delegation been holding back?

Can anyone track the funding channels for the Ameresco Project and the Solar Panels? (I am opening myself to embarrasment here, as I don't know the funding sources.)

It seems to me, what bent the delegations nose out of joint was that Lynch didn't rely on them as the courier. Or worse, he got funding despite their follies on Beacon Hill.

Nangle gave it all away in 2007.

The Ring in Lowell's Nose(Link)

"That's the problem. There is no communication coming out of the city manager's office at all. Bernie is doing what he does best, circumvent everybody. He did it in Chelmsford, and he's doing it now," Nangle said.
-snip

Lynch added that regardless of who was invited where, "I'm sure (Nangle will) continue to do his job on the part of the city and I'll continue to do mine."

I got the sense that Bernie's ego may have made it hard to 'glory share.' A habit that our delegation does by reflex. Certainly, in the early part of his tenure, Lynch was observant to note the Council's partnership in the betterment unfolding. But, then Rodney Elliot opted to wage war and, Lynch pulled back in self defense.

It took two election cycles to stack the Council against Lynch's refusal to play by #lowellrules. But, now the deed is done.

###

I couldn't take it any longer

Lord I was crazed

And when the feeling came upon me

Like a tidal wave

I started swearing to my god and on my mother's grave

That I would love you to the end of time

I swore that I would love you to the end of time!

So now I'm praying for the end of time

To hurry up and arrive

'Cause if I gotta spend another minute with you

I don't think that I can really survive

I'll never break my promise or forget my vow

But God only knows what I can do right now

I'm praying for the end of time

It's all that I can do

Praying for the end of time,

So I can end my time with you!!

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

Have You Heard? mayor Elliott is a hero!

zing·er noun \ˈziŋ-ər\

1: something causing or meant to cause interest, surprise, or shock
2: a pointed witty remark or retort

Finally. I think I'm picking up what Tipa was laying down about our mayor.

Except, some heroes do more damage, than they are worth.

Let's take a look at this story, that ran today in the Blog of Record.

"The Column has discovered ..."

I have to give props to the Blog of Record for their knack of getting secrets out of City Hall.

In today's Column (Link), we find out more details around John Leahy's selections.

He previously said he selected people with municipal management experience. But The Column has discovered that Leahy voted for at least two candidates who have no such background.

Let's stop right there. The Sun prefers that you get all frothy with the revelation that Leahy is a giant clusterf&ck. First, we know that The Sun is trying to undermine the Ramirez candidacy, so as to promote Murphy. Second, we all know John Leahy. It's what the voters chose.

So, let's turn to a more interesting question. Why can't City Hall keep its pie hole shut?

A "gray" technicality is one thing. Clear public perception is quite another.

I snatched the title from a Sun editorial (Link).

Dear Blog of Record,

Copyright or Conspiracy?

Maybe I was a bit premature stating we had already forgotten the inane presentation by mayor Elliott, this morning? (See previous diary)

Something has come up and I'd say it is a ... dilemma.

Here is a screen grab from a video Left in Lowell put up, not long ago (Link).

Don't those graphics look familiar? Why, YES, they do!