Left In Lowell

Kazanjian Wants It All, Apparently

by Lynne at 2:03 pm.

It’s older news I suppose, but I missed that week’s Column originally, titled “City Council or ZBA? Kazanjian has eyes for both.” (I found it in an unrelated search I was doing on the Sun’s site.) I’m going to quote a lot of the section in question because it’s sure to go poof soon, as it was posted May 27 and Sun web articles expire after a couple weeks. The Column is authored, of course, by multiple people.

ALAN KAZANJIAN, chairman of the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals, is putting City Manager Bernie Lynch and the City Council in a box by asking to be reappointed to the ZBA when his term expires in late July.

The reason? Kazanjian is a declared candidate for City Council.

If Kazanjian was serious about running for City Council, why is he asking for reappointment? Just be a brave candidate, show the city you’re serious, and step down. Also, a really good question for me is, if the guy has to abstain from many ZBA decisions because he has conflicts of interest, how many times will he have to step aside for city council deliberations? After all, don’t we want to elect city councilors who can actually do the job most of the time? (Unrelated to the article, just askin’.)

Now here’s the kicker:

A builder, towing-service owner and municipal officer, Kazanjian has walked a fine line of controversy on some of his projects and board decisions. But in 15 years on the ZBA, few of the board’s decisions have been overturned by higher authority, nor has Kazanjian faced any Ethics Commission complaints.

Right, so that must mean he doesn’t use his connections this city to get his way, or use intimidation tactics either. Because he’s never actually been caught with his pants down. Well, neither has Cox but it appears it was only a matter of time. Fine line my you-know-what. He constantly crosses the line of good behavior. Whether or not there’s anything beyond that I can’t say for certain.

If Lynch reappoints the K-man, he risks alienating neighborhood activists who see Kazanjian as pro-development and city councilors who see him as an election threat. If Lynch doesn’t, he might be viewed as taking a negative stance against someone who enjoys firm standing in parts of the city.

Any reappointment would need confirmation by the council. Should councilors even consider confirming someone who’s running for one of nine seats?

Kazanjian’s response to that is that he’s running for the open seat created by George Ramirez, who announced he’s not seeking re-election after one term.

First of all, “the K-man”? What kind of relationship does this author have with said person? Second, does Kazanjian even know what a Plan E form of government is? All nine of the seats are open. Maybe he meant metaphorically, but still. Kazanjian, if he wins, may well “take” the seat of an incumbent. (Of course, I’m hoping he won’t make it at all, but anyway.)

Also, I think the article severely underestimates the number of people who Kazanjian has pissed off, compared to the numbers that like him.

I say to Lynch, we got your back, forgo reappointment for Kazanjian. Now’s the time to get someone in there who will be fair, and who won’t have to abstain every five minutes for conflicts of interest. Plus, in the likely event that he fails to make the city council, he won’t have the ZBA to fall back on. Time to let Kazanjian, like Cox, go back to private life.

I have to finish out the commentary though:

“I have more to lose if I’m elected,” said Kazanjian in the interview. “Quite likely, I won’t be able to do any business with the city as an elected official,” he said.

Kazanjian has sent a letter to the state Ethics Commission seeking verification on what he can and can not do if elected. “I want to be as transparent as possible about this, and I will be,” he said.

In his letter to Lynch, Kazanjian wrote: “As you know, I am running for City Council and as I stated when we met, I am not running a negative campaign or a so-called witch-hunt for your position. I am running a positive campaign focusing on issues which I feel will best serve the City of Lowell.”

Yup, and the Mittster was always pro-life in his heart of hearts, thank god he realized it on time to run for President as a Republican who can appeal to the southern conservatives. Also, does anyone seriously believe that Kazanjian will just up and stop doing business in this city if elected? Or that this isn’t about Lynch, losing lucrative city contracts, or the ouster of Cox? Hardly. The timing’s just too convenient (if he was so keen to serve, why this particular election year? Didn’t he realize everyone would see this as a grudge match?). But, voters will have to make up their own minds in the fall.

[Filed under Local politics, City Council, Elections] [link]

14 Responses to “Kazanjian Wants It All, Apparently”

Lark Says:
June 15th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
This gentleman should step down immediately from the ZBA. Who is to say that he isn’t looking at his donation rolls for persons slated to come before him at the ZBA?? What a position to put people in!
Quite sure, if successful, all of his contracts with the city will be handed off to his “friends” with some type of payment on the other end.
moonlight Says:
June 15th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
bernie lynch needs to look into a rearview mirror all

the time if kazanjien, and mcmahon, and the two merciers

get elected, the k-man is trying to buy this election,did you hear what went down at ‘dancing with thew stars at shedd park, he had his tow truck crew set up the tables and take them down, then donated prizes
what is this guys motivation ???, who is he after ??? any ideas ???
Lark Says:
June 15th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
He was running well before Ramirez opted not to seek re election. And I seriously doubt, that K had any communication with CC Ramirez regarding his future plans. His candidacy was hatched out of the SAC Club in April of 2006.
Anonymous Says:
June 16th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
why isn’t anybody talking about this?:
http://www.mass.gov/ig/publ/lowellto.pdf
Paul@01852 Says:
June 17th, 2007 at 12:32 am
Old news, anon! This *was* discussed at the time it happened and is one of the many reasons that Cox is no longer City Manager
Mr. Lynne Says:
June 17th, 2007 at 1:23 am
I think Anonymous is pointing out that K’s name is all over the document. Given K’s run for CC, the document has new salience.

I wonder how many people have zoning board stories to tell. I’ll bet there are more than a few out there.
The Prince of Darkness Says:
June 17th, 2007 at 10:49 am
“…weak and not worthy of serious consideration.”?? Sounds like “K-Man” and crowd.
Anonymous Says:
June 18th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
This is a situation similar to the council or school committee members who cannot vote on teacher contracts due to conflict of interest. Just about the only important thing they do is vote on these contracts. If you can’t vote on city union contracts you should run or be elected.
Walking the Halls Says:
June 18th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
If AK gets elected you can bet that will signal the potential return of former City Manager Cox! Who by the way verbally assaulted Council candidate Joanne Keegan outside the Bob McMahon party a few weeks ago. Cox was shouting, “Are you going to be with me, are you going to be with me”, (presumably about his return to the corner office..). He was so aggressive he reduced Ms. Keegan to tears!! An embarrassed Cox had to call the following Sunday to apologize to Keegan, blaming it all on an over abundance of beverages!!! People need to wake up fast, if you don’t want to see Cox and the GOBN return to power get out and vote!
Someone You May Know... Says:
June 18th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
Hey “Walking” I have heard the same story – its EVERYWHERE! Makes you wonder why the “Snoop Cam” of the Lowell Sun is looking the other way – oh yeah, can you say CAMPANINI? Best friend and protector of the former CM Cox! Guaranteed you will not see a mention of this in the column!
jack Says:
June 18th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
agreed walking the halls, this is a watershed year. Lowell has been in the process of a good cleansing.. Lets help CM Lynch continue the progress of professionalism. Elect the incumbents, elliot, Martin,Millinazzo,Broderick,and give a chance to Keegan, Mendonca, Ali, and KRS..

I did hear of the Cox assaulton Keegan, why didnt the SUN comment on it? could it be Campanini is protecting his boy Cox.. when will he wakke up and se the damage that Cox has done.. he has split the city and all for his and hios friends gain.. keep the GOBN out of city hall.

Rum or is that Guilbuicki is going to lose the city towing contract, That mneans Kazanjian (alternate) will be back,, is this good government for a city council candidate,BOA chairman to gain a lucrative contract? i bet budlite, and the merciers think so..
Lark Says:
June 18th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
No, Walking, that piece wouldn’t be in the Column, particularly when Campi, Cox and TJ are dining together at Ricardos. Apparently, plotting to take over the universe. Cox definately wants back in, in a big way. Nope, don’t want to go back there.
John get a real job, like the rest of us!
Mr. Lynne Says:
June 18th, 2007 at 10:06 pm
This may be a good tidbit for the Globe. Anyone know anyone?
Mr. Lynne Says:
June 18th, 2007 at 10:06 pm
Maybe Dick Howe could mention it in the Patriot.

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June 15, 2007

Kazanjian Wants It All, Apparently

14 Responses to “Kazanjian Wants It All, Apparently”

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