Left In Lowell

Unity and the next Mayor

by Mimi at 2:18 pm.

Now, that the municipal elections are behind us, our attention has been turned to the discussion of who will be our next Mayor. With a Plan E form of government, although somewhat ceremonial, the position carries some weight and prestige. Yesterday, on his blog, Dick Howe posted on this issue giving us a good historical perspective. I hope his assessment that the 2008 version of the Mayoral election will most likely be “divisive” rather “amicable and served to unify the council” is not quite right.

One way of assuring “unity” is to elect Councilor Rodney Elliott has the next mayor. Not only is it his turn but it is also his time. He is the longest sitting Councilor who has not served as Mayor. (CC B. Martin 2006-2007; CC A. Mercier 2004-2005; CC R. Mercier 2002-2003 and CC B. Caulfield 1996-1997.) This should not be the deciding factor but politically speaking, City Councilors who previously sought and received his support in their own Mayoral election, should return the favor.

He is also well qualified to lead this City Council. As Chair of the Finance Sub-Committee he knows and understands the ins-and-outs of the City Budget. As a member of the Zoning Sub-Committee, he helped draft the new Zoning laws. He is articulate, intelligent and can represent this City well. He will make an outstanding Chair of the School Committee; fair and balanced. He runs very good Sub-Committee meetings and his knowledge of meeting rules will be helpful in the deliberations.

Unfortunately, the newspaper is not friendly towards him and he does not have any connections at the radio station. So, he may not get a resounding endorsement from those two sources. Although I am a big supporter of Rodney, recently someone wrote on another blog that LiL had “no clout” with the voters. So, my influence is little to none.

In Mike Lafleur’s article in yesterday’s Sun, he indicates that Councilor Bud Caulfield is also interested in being Mayor again. Lafleur clearly states that most Councilors have not yet publicly announced who they will support. I don’t know about them, but if I were a candidate for City Council, I would have already focused in on who I will support during the campaign.

I know that CC Bud Caulfield was the first City Councilor to call for “unity.” Now that he is holding that olive branch, I would hope he extends it; and all of his colleagues decide that the right thing to do is select CC Elliott as our next Mayor. Wouldn’t it be nice if we begin the new year with a City Council casting its first vote unanimously for Lowell’s next Mayor?

I do not want to sound too much like Pollyanna; I too know the history of Lowell Mayoral election. And it is not a pretty one. I am quite realistic and will not predict anything but I can hope, can’t I?

[Filed under City Council] [link]

16 Responses to “Unity and the next Mayor”

GOP Footsoldier Says:
November 9th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
Make it down now- Mayor Bud Caulfield. You can thank Rita too. I think Dick Howe had it on his blog- Rodney supported Rita when she needed it most, but I don’t think she will return the favor.
MOONLIGHT Says:
November 9th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
take it to the bank, bud is your new, er excuse me

mayor again, watch out for this council, they will make sure that rodney

never gets rita’s vote,

edited by Mimi
Prince Charming Says:
November 9th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
It’s Bud, hands down. He’s already got the votes. Making the all important appointments to the Finance Subcommittee and if Rodney wants to be in the parade, he needs to lay down his sword and stop the whining now. Bud’s already thrown out the word “unity”, so it may be assumed that if you’re not with Bud, you’re not for “unity”. It’s easy to be so unified and welcoming when you’ve got the 5-4 majority. If Rodney has any brains, he’d capitulate because, as any good mole will tell you, it’s easier to strike from the inside than from the outside.
joe Says:
November 9th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
Eh.

Bud can run a meeting just fine.
joe Says:
November 9th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
Too bad Mehmed didn’t win.

He could have become mayor, announced that the new custom was for the council to bow to Mecca before every meeting, and BAM! we never have to hear about the Lord’s Prayer issue ever again.
Prince Charming Says:
November 9th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
…and you thought I was charming.
Concerned Citizens Says:
November 9th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
Rodney should be the next Mayor, he would make Lowell Proud, Bud has served his time and I have had enough of him.
MVP Says:
November 9th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
“His turn”? Where in the city charter does it talk about taking turns to be Mayor? We’re not talking about a game of jump rope. This whole “his turn/ “her turn” thing is the brain child of WCAP’s George Anthes. It has no place in this discussion. Furthermore, CC Caulfield’s call for unity is nothing new. I seem to recall Caulfield extending the “olive branch” and being particularly gracious in welcoming our new city manager.

P.S. What happened to the moderation of discussion here? Why doesn’t it apply to the Bud-Lite and “mobsters” comments above? The divisive nastiness ALWAYS comes from the same factions here. They are certainly NOT about unity. All the more reason to support Bud Caulfield for Mayor.
grizzled veteran Says:
November 9th, 2007 at 7:00 pm
Mimi-

Interesting that your theory is that it’s Rodney’s turn based on longevity. It couldn’t have anything to do with the fact that he’s now aligned with the pro-Bernie slate? Do you support longevity on Congressional committees? Were you enamored with Strom Thurmond and John Stennis? What if Armand Mercier had longevity - would you support Armand as Mayor? Maybe it would be more honest to argue for merit and leadership.

Grizz
Mimi Says:
November 9th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
MVP:
I agree with you; the negative labeling needs to stop; it adds nothing to the conversation. And I will edit those who do it. Criticism is fine but after a while the repetitive, sophomoric name calling is just that.

Grizz:
I am confused. I guess I did not make my point clear enough, Rodney has the leadership qualities, administrative capabilities and the knowledge to be Mayor. And yes, I do agree with longevity on Congressional Committees, notwithstanding Thurmond and Stennis.
Eleanor Rigby Says:
November 9th, 2007 at 11:03 pm
MVP, GV…
It has been a long standing practice on the Lowell City Council that councilors have “their turn”. It is certainly not a brainchild of WCAP although George Anthes was a CC twice and knows how it works, and GV, if you are the grizzled veteran that you claim, you also know this is true…

That said, The new COX Council will elect Bud mayor…They certainly don’t want to be gaveled down when they go off topic now do they?

Nope, COX COUNCIL rules: #1 Bud is Mayor

I move we change the name from the City of Lowell to the City of Cronies
let’s get it over with ASAP!
wil Says:
November 10th, 2007 at 1:31 am
I wish the next mayor would be Rodney, I know him personally and he is a great guy. He would be a great mayor. I think it is unfortunate that people like Rita would not support him. He has great leadership qualities and would do a wonderful job.
Prince Charming Says:
November 10th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
wil: it doesn’t matter if it’s Rodney or Mother Theresa. He is now on the minority side of the argument. To the victor belong the spoils.
Lowelian Says:
November 11th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
“wil: it doesn’t matter if it’s Rodney or Mother Theresa. He is now on the minority side of the argument. To the victor belong the spoils.

Prince C. You do have a way with words! Amen
Always Right in Lowell Says:
November 12th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
I don’t see any mention of how the next mayor will affect the makeup of the school committee. I would think if Rodney is elected, Dr. Baer would have the fighting chance that she deserves and will never get with Bud.
Eleanor Rigby Says:
November 13th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
I heard an interesting comment this morning that, if followed, would certainly show whether or not Bud is being truthful in his ‘quest for unity’ on the new CC.

George Anthes, of all people, suggested Bud “fall on his sword for Rodney” allowing Rodney to become mayor if Bud is really serious about unifying the council!

We know Bud can talk the talk, now lets see if he can walk the walk…withdraw Bud and let the council unify!

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November 9, 2007

Unity and the next Mayor

16 Responses to “Unity and the next Mayor”

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