Left In Lowell

Cox Verbally Assaults City Councilor Candidate?

23 Responses to “Cox Verbally Assaults City Councilor Candidate?”

1. Mike Says:
   June 18th, 2007 at 11:05 pm

   I don’t know that an anonymous message board on a blog is a good source for a slanderous story from a bar like this. Poor taste, in my opinion.

2. Eleanor Rigby Says:
   June 18th, 2007 at 11:16 pm

   If several people can independently confirm that this indeed happened without relying on hearsay then it certainly should be on the front page of the paper and all over the local radio!

   I seem to recall a similar shouting incident involving Cox and I think it was George Ramierz at a party in the past.

3. Mike Says:
   June 19th, 2007 at 7:37 am

   I agree, if several people can. But not if several anonymous posters can. Since Lynne doesn’t have a registration process here (and even if she did), there’s no stopping one person to making up a story and then backing it up under other “handles”.

   I know there’s always an effort here to go after Cox, but this to me is unprofessional. Then again, it is just a blog, but if we are considering this a place to get our local news than I’d suggest this isn’t the way news should be reported. Again, just my opinion.

4. waittilnextyr Says:
   June 19th, 2007 at 8:21 am

   I think I agree with Mike on this. In the original post one person claimed the transgression as he may have heard it, but the others are repeating it based on hearsay. However, it does give pause to consider that there may be a united effort to “reclaim the city” by those who have lost power.

5. Jay Booth Says:
   June 19th, 2007 at 9:51 am

   Lynne was very clear about the quality of her sources, it’s up to the reader to decide if they buy it or not.

   And, as far as I know, the blog software allows her to see people’s IP addresses so if it was a bunch of people sock puppetting under different names, she’d know it.

6. The Prince of Darkness Says:
   June 19th, 2007 at 1:01 pm

   Don’t fall for it people! It’s Keegan’s way of distancing herself from the GOB network. Let’s verify before we all go buggy over this. Cox is Cox, but he isn’t stupid. If he said something aloud, even under the influence it was meant to be heard.

7. Lynne Says:
   June 19th, 2007 at 1:16 pm

   I met Keegan. Honestly, I don’t see it in her to do something like that. And if she had made it up, she’d be finished. The Cox GOBN is nothing if not vindictive. They’d be all over her like a rain-soaked cheap suit. The very fact that hasn’t happened sort of confirms it.

   There were lots of people at that fundraiser - I doubt it’d be hard to cooberate this (and is probably the reason why it’s all over the place). The reason I frontpaged it is, it’s important if true, and, I’d like to put pressure on the Sun to do the investigative reporting on this and find out the truth.

   It’s meaty, either way. Either Cox was caught being blatant with his GOB desires, or else Keegan is making very huge rumors up out of thin air. I don’t know why on earth the Sun wouldn’t want to find out the scoop. Unless, it’s being deliberately covered up, as someone suggested.

8. The Prince of Darkness Says:
   June 19th, 2007 at 1:34 pm

   Lynne: I believe that there’s much more going on here in this election than meets the eye. Deception/diversion is a classic tactic in campaigns of candidates who have nothing to say. Cox et al. have succeeded in making this race about Cox. And we’ve let them. Candidates with substance, like KRS and Ali will be screaming from the rooftops trying to catch peoples attention and nobody will be listening to them. This smokescreen will prove to be fatal for them especially if the “media” in town make them publicly choose sides. This election should not be a referendum on Cox and if we fall for this crap we’re all to blame when good candidates go down. The GOB’s know that they can move the vote. So, let’s support some quality candidates, stay positive and ignore these arrogant bastards.

9. Mimi Says:
   June 19th, 2007 at 1:45 pm

   POD: I totally agree with you; we should shape our campaign as we see fit and work towards electing quality individuals.

   What bothers me the most about this incident is the Sun’s failure to address it.

10. Lynne Says:
    June 19th, 2007 at 2:15 pm

    Well, I agree it’s a distraction. But it’s also an important distinction. This race is, to some extent, a referendum on the Cox/GOB way versus the new way. I would rather it not be, but because of who’s running, it is. We have people like KRS and Mehmed who will move us forward and heal some of the division in this city, and then we have the Old Guard.

    Once things start rolling, you can sure bet I will talk about the other candidates and their issues…speaking of which, I need to go post something now.

11. Kami Says:
    June 19th, 2007 at 3:09 pm

    Cox’s godfather at the newspaper, Jim Campanini, must be working overtime to keep the story out of print. Like he has done with many negative Cox items headed for the Sunday political column. Cox is becoming desperate and unglued in my opinion. Lynne, call Joanne Keegan and confirm the story and put it to rest one way or the other. I’ve heard (rumor), she has confirmed the encounter with the local newspaper but they’ve sat on it because Joanne doesn’t want to make waves.

12. The Prince of Darkness Says:
    June 19th, 2007 at 4:38 pm

    Trust me when I say that Campanini is not Cox’s godfather. But lets just say that Campanini owes Cox one BIG TIME.

13. Jay Booth Says:
    June 19th, 2007 at 5:29 pm

    I can’t believe that every candidate in the race isn’t running away from John Cox like he’s carrying the plague.

    I mean, how many decade-old blatantly scandalous practices did Bernie uncover in his first 6 months of office? We had the tow contract thing, the illegal health insurance thing.. why isn’t this guy completely radioactive? I’d think anyone who wasn’t schoolyard pals with the guy would be running away from him.

14. Jason Says:
    June 19th, 2007 at 5:56 pm

    So let me get this straight, the Sun is going to do some hard hitting investigative journalism on this. Like the cover story about sub prime lending? You know the guy who lost his house because he lied on his mortgage application, was taking a social security disability, but healthy enough to work under the table. That kind of hard hitting journalism? Please forgive my doubt and sarcasm.

    I’m not sure what happens over drinks is necessarily news, but that’s my opinion. If this happened a few weeks ago I think it would be all over this city by now, first I read of it was here. Every rumor gets out, never mind something that should have had many witnesses. A story like this sells papers and that above all, is the Sun’s business. They would be crazy not to run it.

    I don’t think the election is necessarily a referendum on the so called GOB either. If we all think the electorate put the right people in last time, what is stopping it this time around? Has there been a mass popular uproar over the way the city is currently being run?

    I know the American voter is fickle, but IF this story is true then it turns far more people away from the candidates in the race the reputed GOBs are trying to put on the council. So what would be the point or verbally accosting someone? Ask yourself who has something to gain from this story and who has something to lose?

    Either way, making a story out of this or squashing it makes anyone look like they have a horse in the race and are choosing sides. And you know what? Everyone does.

15. jack Says:
    June 19th, 2007 at 7:28 pm

    yes fellow bloggers, its a true story, lets band together to stop the cox gang.. they are tyrants… unethical bullies.. just look at his history, macmahons history and kazanjians.. nuff said.. we need to do the research on their past/ recent ethical lapses and remind the electorate.. oh and in a tribute to the 2 merciers and low watt bulb Bud, i will say an Our Father that we rid local government of these old hack politico’s ..

16. The Prince of Darkness Says:
    June 19th, 2007 at 9:32 pm

    The only thing that’ll help get rid of these old hack politicians is a good flu epidemic right before the election. Their base will drop like flies.

17. Lynne Says:
    June 19th, 2007 at 11:04 pm

    OK guys, a little respect please. Even for those with whom we totally disagree. Insults and talk like that does no one, least of all the antiGOBbers, any good.

    The best remedy is the light of day, and producing reasons for people to see another way to run government other than back room deals and decades-old family grudges.

18. Kami Says:
    June 25th, 2007 at 3:33 pm

    It’s naive to assume that the local newspapers only motive is to sell papers. Anyone who has lived here long term knows the paper has been deeply involved in orchestrating the rise and fall of many candidates over the years. Stories are withheld completely, slanted, or released at the optimum moment to effect elections. This story has been running rampant all over the City for weeks. It has “gotten out” despite the best efforts of the paper. They’re nervous that they’re not the only game in town anymore. There are other avenues such as this blog (kudos to Lynne). If it isn’t true where’s the denial?

    I’m not sure I’m comfortable being asked to trust “the prince of darkness”. Isn’t that a moniker for the devil. Campanini IS Cox’s godfather. I don’t know what you’re referring to with the line he “owes him big time” but it is certainly a teaser. Love to hear what it is or I’m going to have to assume it has no substance.

19. Jason Says:
    June 25th, 2007 at 10:10 pm

    Kami,

    The goal of traditional newspapers is to sell papers and have increased circulation which then drives ad revenue. Its not naive, its capitalism. Anything less is irresponsible to shareholders. The Sun is owned by a media conglomerate. They aren’t in it for fun. If they are holding back stories it hurts their reputation and thereby hurts circulation and revenue. One would think the company that owns the paper would have something to say about it.

    Its ALL about selling papers. Do I think people at the Sun have their own motives, yes. Do I think it occasionally helps to sell papers? Yes it does.

    Think Howard Stern (when he was free), The #1 reason the people who loved him listened, they wanted to hear what he was going to say next. Also the #1 reason the the people who hated him listened.

    Do I think its a good long term business plan to be in the fray as opposed to objectively covering it? No, and its another reason newspapers are dying off. Call it a last ditch attempt to keep readers. The Sun can afford to do it more than most because there is no comparative local competition.

    I think letting a personal agenda affect the way you do the job that puts food on your table and a roof over your head is plain idiotic. Nevermind having any integrity.

20. Anonymous Says:
    June 26th, 2007 at 10:50 am

    Lynne,
    I’m a local, and I may be wrong, but….. Isn’t Joanne Keegan’s father Joe Tully? The same Joe Tully that was a former city manager? The same Joe Tully that serves as a “consultant” on local development deals? For years I have been under the impression that Mr. Tully is John Cox’s godfather (literally). Hasn’t anyone else ever heard the expression “Do the Hully Gully with Joe Tully”? Any Lowell blow ins would be wise to research Mr. Tully’s reign as city manager. The associations and alliances of certain political families go back generations in Lowell.
    Anonymous

21. Lynne Says:
    June 26th, 2007 at 12:43 pm

    Anon: You are not incorrect. In fact, it’s my best guess that the Cox GOBN probably assumed she would be one of them because of it. I am starting to get the impression, however, that they ass-u-me’d too much…maybe. In meeting her, I didn’t get a bad impression. Now I didn’t ask her the tough questions (yet) but there were no alarm bells ringing. I reserve the right to change my mind on further review, once those tough questions are in front of her (and everyone else).

22. nicole kazijian Says:
    July 2nd, 2007 at 10:55 pm

    i am looking to contact Alan Kazanjian. My name is Nicole and I am tring to locate my family. Your last name is very similiar to mine, however we dont know if our name is spelled correctly. My grandfather was seperated from his family at a young age in the New England area. I was hopeing you could help, maybe you know somthing. Please contact me. This is not a joke. My last name is spelled Kazijian. Thank you. email me at sugar3627@yahoo.com

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    September 7th, 2007 at 10:19 pm

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