Can’t Help A Little Poke at Mike’s Expense
A new comment on a pretty old post (June 11’s Column on the Column) showed up in the blog’s administrative interface today…so I ended up going back to read some of the comments that preceeded it. I can’t help ribbing frequent commenter Mike a little on his ready agreement on former CM Cox’s reputation here, where he starts by quoting someone else:
“Lowell’s been pretty good at weathering fiscal messes unlike other similar cities like Springfield.”
Agreed, I’ve been saying this here for months. Council will be lucky if they get someone anywhere near Cox’s capabilities.
Seems a little ironic given the revelations we’ve had these last few weeks about the status of Lowell’s finances…
We love ya, Mike, I single you out because I care! 
But I can’t help but gloat (really friendly-like) a little in your direction! (In a sort of dark humor way, given I’d rather Mike had been right, for the good of the city…)
August 31st, 2006 at 2:43 pm
Mike:
You know we have always regarded you as the loyal, civil, and consistent political opposition. I second Lynne’s sentiment, we do “love ya.”
August 31st, 2006 at 2:58 pm
And..the Motion Passes! : )
August 31st, 2006 at 8:11 pm
Do you really believe that these “revelations” are the comprehensive/definitive word on John Cox’s 6 years as CM? I’m sure I know the answer to that question. However, even in light of these “revelations”, I think that Mike’s statement does not ring any less true today. And I have to add that this feeling is shared by many, many Lowellians- the ones who vote in large numbers. Simply because dismay and righteous indignation are the convenient and politically expediant response from those who are equally accountacle (our CC), does not mean there is no debate on the issue. As much as you may like the notion that you are “in the know”, I think there is and has been a lot more going on behind the scenes than LiL is privy to.
August 31st, 2006 at 10:06 pm
Lowellian writes in part:
“I have to add that this feeling is shared by many, many Lowellians- the ones who vote
in large numbers”.
These would be the folks that vote for Rita, Bud and Armand? The Champions of the taxpayer!
September 1st, 2006 at 12:45 am
Yes. A lot of these Lowellians have voted for Rita, Bud and Armand. And many have cast votes for other members of the CC as well. Whether you happen to agree with them or not, the fact exists that these people are out there.
And “champions of the taxpayer”?? Let’s see…C. Broderick has been a real “champion”!Chairman of the Audit Oversight Committee. And doing a fine job! HA!…C.Elliott: “we have $10M in reserves!” Yeah, OK….Is this a game of charades or what?
September 1st, 2006 at 10:02 am
I hope people at City Hall never feel comfortable enough to think that LiL should be privy to what is going on behind the scenes. That is not the goal.
Lowellian is right, these revelations are not the comprehensive/definite word on the previous CM’s tenure. However, it is a reflection of his managerial style; providing limited and selective information to the CC. Information they needed to make the necessary decisions.
We will see shortly who the “friends of the taxpayers” are on the CC when it comes time for the City to tighten its belt. If the CM wants to merge two departments to eliminate redundancy, I do not want to hear any CC complain that this or that nice guy is losing his job.
September 1st, 2006 at 10:25 am
As to the whole six years of Cox’s tenure, yes, I objected to many other things this administration did BEFORE we knew about this latest fiscal stupidity. So my opinion is that fiscal crisis or not, Cox needed to go. Shutting out residents from their own government was never acceptable, I don’t care how many “projects” you think you can take credit for.
September 1st, 2006 at 5:06 pm
While there is an issue I don’t believe it is the magnitude of Springfield, I don’t believe Cox is entirely to blame and the Council is innocent, and I don’t believe the story has totally played out yet.
So let’s not start gloating too early…
September 1st, 2006 at 6:16 pm
Mike, I was merely echoing Mimi’s comments. Everyone is entitled to an opinion! : 0)
September 1st, 2006 at 11:34 pm
That was more in response to Lynne’s real friendly like gloating than yours KRS.
September 3rd, 2006 at 1:03 am
CM Cox has done a lot more good than just negotiating and bringing “projects” into the city. And by the way, although some of his supporters may like to highlight the success of these “projects” and how instrumental his leadership was, I don’t recall hearing Cox himself say “I did this, I did that…” But I do believe that his ability to get some things done because of his own personal reputation and tenure in the legislature, did not sit well with a CC that is always campaigning for re-election.
And as far as “shutting out residents”, I recall plenty of residents and business community leaders speaking up to say that they felt they had an open door at City Hall when Cox was in office.
September 6th, 2006 at 12:46 am
Looks like Mike was right again. This time about “gloating too early.” And frankly, I think alot of this public posturing about “breaches of trust” is not only turning people off but beginning to look pretty amateurish- particularly in light of the news of recent days. But the SILENCE IS DEAFENING!! Didn’t I read that line someplace recently?? Hmmm… Look who’s quiet now. So the CC wasn’t aware of the $4-4.5M in reserves?? Are they going to claim that John Cox hid this from too?
September 6th, 2006 at 9:20 am
That money is hands off except in emergencies. For purposes of this budget situation it might as well not exist. The fact that it didn’t come up in discussions about the budget is exacty as it should be.
Nobody can take credit for those reserves because it was the State Legislature that mandated it.
September 6th, 2006 at 10:47 am
The Lowell budget is structured along the lines of an Income statement, showing income and expenditures for the current year. Had it also included a Balance sheet, showing assets and liabilities, the reserve fund would have shown up.
In any case, the current year budget is apparently $6.3M in deficit, as was stated previously. The reserve fund does not redeem that mismanagement, despite some suggestions to the contrary. Hopefully, the CM will lead the CC to reduce that deficit before calling on the taxpayer to close the gap. Remember, the original budget required a tax increase, so the $6.3M would only add to that problem.
September 6th, 2006 at 8:41 pm
The City of Lowell does have a Balance Sheet submitted to the DOR annually as required by law. It is from this Balance Sheet that the DOR “certifies” this free cash amount available for expenditures. I am curious how DOR “spokespeople” now claim that the City’s use of free cash “irresponsible” when it is the DOR that approved the availability of this $$$ in the first place.
Also, only a portion of the $4.5M reserve fund is “hands off”….And speaking of emergencies- has the City yet received all of the anticipated reimbursements due for $$ expended during the flood? Where does it figure in this “deficit” controversy?