Left In Lowell

So Downticket, It’s Subterranean

14 Responses to “So Downticket, It’s Subterranean”

1. Cos Says:
   September 8th, 2006 at 7:53 pm

   This was actually the second time I’ve seen the two candidates for Middlesex Clerk of Courts debate! They were the second portion of the agenda at the Medford forum where Galvin failed to show up. First was Bonifaz, and then Clerk of Courts, which I stayed for because I didn’t know much about that race.

   I’m actually somewhat familiar with both candidates in their capacity as municipal officeholders. Remember when the first audience member was going to ask a question, Jimmy Tingle asked “and which of them are you related to?” I thought, if I came up with a question and raised my hand and he called on me with the same line, I might respond “I’ve campaigned against both of them” Bruce Desmond is a Somerville Alderman at-large, and Michael Sullivan is a Cambridge City Councilor (where all the seats are at-large, sort of).

   The impression I got from last night was a reinforcement of what I got out of Medford. Basically, their messages seem to me to be:
   * Michael Sullivan: Experienced, polished, lots of background, endorsers.
   * Bruce Desmond: Unexciting but meticulous technocrat running on ideas for specific ways to improve the system

   Overall, I’m drawn to Desmond’s message more, and get the impression that he’d do a very good job doing this rather unexciting work, studying and really figuring out how the system works, and putting good new process in place. Sullivan did a better job of convincing me he wants to the job, but I don’t know how much that counts for here. I’m still undecided, but leaning Desmond.

   Though, I must admit to thinking of this in terms of whether I want a vacancy to be created on the Somerville Board of Aldermen, or the Cambridge City Council. On the one hand, Somerville’s already getting one at-large vacancy (out of four seats) next year, since Denise Provost said she wouldn’t run for re-election for the board if she were elected to the house. Shouldn’t Cambridge get to elect someone new next year too? On the other hand, having only two incumbents running for the four at-large seats in Somerville next year would be exciting, and there’s potential for a major shift on the board…

   (disclosure: I worked for Jesse Gordon’s Cambridge City Council campaign last year)

2. Ryan Says:
   September 8th, 2006 at 9:31 pm

   So Downticket, it’s Subterranean LOL - that was a good one =p

   While both my friend and I liked Desmond better (I think we both found Sullivan too much of the consummate politician and way too connected to trust him), I couldn’t help but question why the heck the Clerk of Courts was an elected position. I always tell people I’m not as liberal as I appear to be, but I just think the Clerk of Courts sounds very much like a grunt job where an expert should be hired and held more accountable than a politician would be - especially since the position lasts for six years. While I’m not the type that suggests privitization of everything (indeed, there are areas I think we’d benefit to see more government regulation - like electricity and other infrastructural issues), I think that here’s the perfect case where beaurocracy doesn’t help and well-connected politicos can get government positions with strong name recognition or GoB friends - and with 6 years before reelection on a position no one will pay attention to - pretty much get away with anything.

3. mc-in-groton Says:
   September 9th, 2006 at 6:30 am

   The comments on the Clerk of Courts race are very interesting. Bruce desmond met with the Groton Democratic Town Committee earlier this year. We were impressed with his experience and competence to do the job. It was very nice of him to come all the out to Groton. Some other candidates to forget that we are in Middlesex County!

4. Mr Lynne Says:
   September 9th, 2006 at 11:19 am

   My impression was much the same as Cos. Much the same as other primary races, I’m very happy to have such good candidates I was impressed with Sullivan’s broad experience in the courts. He obviously has a lot of familiarity from the inside with the problems he would be called on to solve. My nagging question was; are these kinds of problems best approached from the inside or from the outside? The report that both candidates referred to (can’t remember the name and was looking for something to link to), seemed to carry some weight with both candidates and it itself mentioned that outside approaches were needed. The next question is; is Desmond’s managerial approach adequate enough to ‘overcome’ the obvious deficit he has with Sullivan’s experience on the inside? I was impressed with Desomond’s commitment to gathering metrics against which progress could be measured. My fear was that, like may ‘bosses’ I’ve seen in the past, this may be a managerial personality embracing pet theories of management. The biggest differentiator in determining if this is someone who is merely eager to lead others versus someone who’s sense of personal authority won’t get in the way of solving problems, is to determine his ability to listen to others in creating his plans of action.

   The question I asked Desmond was this (paraphrasing):

   Recent (right-leaning) editorials have expressed frustration that the mood of the country with regards to the economy is somber, but the economic numbers are professed to be adequate. Others have indicated that this is likely because the numbers we use to measure our progress are only the right numbers to look at if given assumptions about the distribution of wealth are true… assumptions that the current reality is revising. In other words, in order to make the use of metrics useful, you have to make sure you are measuring the right things. I asked Desmond how he intends not to make the mistake of measuring the wrong things. He spoke at length about listening in depth to the people in the trenches at all levels to make sure he isn’t missing something. His commitment to listening is exactly what I wanted to hear.

   I’m with Desmond.

5. Techie Says:
   September 10th, 2006 at 11:17 am

   It’s interesting to read your comments. Unfortunately I did not attend the debate. I am from Cambridge and I happen to like Sullivan a lot. I’ve watched the Cambridge Council meetings for years (I know, I need to get a life) and I can tell you that Michael is fair and as Mayor ran the most efficient council meetings in 15 years. This gives me the indication that he would do the same as the clerk of courts. Just because Michael is polished doesn’t mean he’s not the right guy for the job. Check out their web sites and do a little research. I think you’ll find Michael is the better candidate. Also, you may be interested in this link:
   http://bluemassgroup.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1904

6. techie... you are correct sir Says:
   September 10th, 2006 at 12:50 pm

   I actually can’t agree with techie enough. Councilor Sullivan is one of the brightest guys there are. He actually has been campaigning thoroughly, I know he went to various GLAD meeting, pepperell and the LDCC. His idea abouth 4 day jury trials makes sense. He is the only choice. Sullivan has been listening to his consituents his whole career but he he has also listened to those he has met along the way.

7. Cos Says:
   September 10th, 2006 at 3:04 pm

   As someone who has been involved in both Somerville and Cambridge politics in recent years… I can understand where the two recent commenters from Cambridge are coming from, and I can also see people from Somerville coming from a similar place regarding Desmond. As I noted above, I’ve been on the opposing side of both of them in municipal races, however my impression is that both have performed their duties well.

   That said, Sullivan and Desmond have chosen different messages for this election, and to the extent that we judge their candidacies on their choice of message, Desmond’s is the one that I find stronger. Sullivan chose a message of experience, polish, and endorsements. Desmond chose a technocratic solutions message.

   I won’t be upset if either of them wins. They both seem to have the potential to do a good job; it’s also possible that either of them may not succeed.

8. Techie Says:
   September 11th, 2006 at 10:38 pm

   I understand your point but it is short sighted. I think you are basing the success of the next clerk of courts solely on technology. The position stretches far beyond technology. The clerk of courts should have managerial experience as well as knowledge of the law. Desmond may have managerial experience but he has never been in a court house. Sullivan is a lawyer and has managerial skills (very successful as Mayor of Cambridge with two consecutive terms). Desmond’s campaign is anti-lawyer and anti-politician (check out his website). Which by the way I find rather ironic seeing Desmond is a politician. I don’t think this will settle well with the judges, lawyers or employees in the courts. I think you need harmony between the numerous aspects of the court and the public. I haven’t seen anything from Sullivan that ostracizes people working in the courts and the general public. Sullivan sees the big picture.

9. Lynne Says:
   September 12th, 2006 at 8:26 am

   Actually, Techie, I don’t think Cos (or I, as I am leaning to Desmond) was doing that.

   In fact, Desmond makes the good point that the report both candidates frequently quote, which lists what needs fixing (I have it in PDF and will be posting it) cites that an outsider would be a good idea.

   Desmond’s campaign pointed out to me that much of Sullivan’s support and money comes from defense lawyers, and there’s a conflict of interest - if you feel you owe certain people making use of the system, will you be tempted to smooth the process out a little more for those people who have given you material support? I don’t think it’s necessarily that Sullivan will do this on purpose, but unconsciously? That’s what having someone outside the system come in and fairly apportion the schedule might be a better answer.

   I think either candidate has a real interest in the job, an expertise to handle it, and plans to improve it. I do however like Desmond’s ideas regarding metrics amd measurement to determine what solutions are best, and to measure success once processes change. That’s good project management, if it’s done right, and it might take an outsider to really impliment it.

   As far as being “anti-lawyer” or “anti-politician” where do you see that? The quote from his home page is:

   “It’s important for us to remember that the constituency of the court system is not the legal community, or the powerful politicians, it’s the public: it’s you and me. We need people in the courts from outside the legal community and those not under the thumb of the powerful politicians. We need people that will bring a high level of management experience in business, government, and technology to the table. We need people that bring the best interests of the public to the system.”

   Sounds about right to me…it IS about the public, not about the lawyers or the politicians. And I don’t think that’s being anti-lawyer, I think that’s being pro-average-joe. It’s a scary place for many people, the courts, and the public needs to be considered by any Clerk of Courts. I don’t see what’s wrong in saying so. (And I believe Sullivan would agree.)

10. Techie Says:
    September 12th, 2006 at 12:51 pm

    Lynne:

    I believe the report they are using is the Monan Report. The Monan Report also states that the clerk of courts should have a management aptitude and an understanding of law and court procedures. I don’t see anything on Desmond’s website that suggests he knows anything about the law or court procedures. Sullivan does and that’s my point.

    Also, not sure where the Desmond camp is getting their information from regarding “much of Sullivan’s support and money comes from defense lawyers”. The campaign finance report states attorney – not defense attorney and it’s not even close to being the bulk of contributions. Also, Desmond has received and accepted contributions from attorney(s). So there must be a conflict of interest there too.

    I didn’t say it was all about the lawyers and politicians. I said it was important to have harmony with both the average-joe and the people working within the court. I do think Desmond’s website shows disapproval of people within the legal community and politicians. This line especially - “We need people in the courts from outside the legal community and those not under the thumb of the powerful politicians”. It’s oxymoronic. Once a candidate is elected to clerk magistrate he or she becomes a member of the legal community. This statement disqualifies Desmond for seeking re-election to the post. Again, I find this statement ironic seeing Desmond is a politician.

    We have a difference of opinion. I think the combination of Sullivan’s education; legal experience and mayoral experience make him the better candidate.

11. techie... you are correct sir Says:
    September 12th, 2006 at 7:46 pm

    I have to agree with techie… His ad in the call to the convention was “not just another lawyer” Lawyers labored many long hours for their profession. To belittle it so quickly is irresponsible and hardly inclusive. Metrics is not the answer, having a person who knows the ins and outs of a courtroom and knows where the bureaucracies truly lie is the answer. Qualifications begin with experience. Ask Gerry Leone…

12. Anonymous Says:
    September 13th, 2006 at 12:31 am

    This post is very interesting. I happened on it haphazardly and it got my attention. I checked out both websites and also read the articles about both candidates in the Lowell Sun. The case for Desmond is commendable but Michael Sullivan is clearly more qualified for the job. The disparity in their education speaks volumes (Sullivan has a JD, Desmond does not have a college degree).

    I had to LOL at Techie’s take on Desmond’s website. Desmond set himself up for his own downfall.

13. Ron Newman Says:
    September 17th, 2006 at 9:51 pm

    A friend of mine received a Desmond campaign mailing which disguised itself as a jury summons. I can’t vote for any candidate who would send out something like that. I posted more about this at Blue Mass Group.

14. Jim Says:
    October 13th, 2006 at 10:59 pm

    http://news.bostonherald.com/localPolitics/view.bg?articleid=161839

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