Left In Lowell

I am not much of a cartoonist by any stretch…but here goes. The concept was my husband Chris’, the artwork mine:

It has been a couple of weeks since City Manager Bernie Lynch announced that according to a legal opinion he received from the City Solicitor, board and commission members are not eligible for health care benefits; that the practice is illegal. So as of November 1, 2006, Board members will have an option to remain on the City plan at their expense or seek healthcare benefits somewhere else, like their place of employment, at a continuously escalating premium, like the rest of us. But the rumblings have not stopped.

On Monday, the Sun today published in its paper edition page 5 (I cannot find it on its web site) a sidebar listing all the 38 commission and board members who are currently enrolled in the City’s health plan package. The sidebar accompanied an article that solicited reaction from some of those 38 commissioners and board members. With one exception, those interviewed understood and accepted the City Manager’s decision. (more…)