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The Sun Column today starts off with the item about Kristin Ross-Sitcawich’s relinquished appointment to the Conservation Commission Board. The several paragraphs lead with some history and context, and objectively lays out most of the details, by which I can only assume, due to past experience, that it was not written by editor Jim Campanini.
What I find particularly illuminating about this whole incident is the lengths that some people will go to ascribe their own motivations to others. In the case of the GOB (Good Ol’ Boys), this (bold mine) was most interesting:
THE SWITCH certainly was appreciated by local builders and developers and some on the council, particularly Councilor Armand Mercier.
Mercier apparently approached Councilor Kevin Broderick with his discomfort during the City of Lights Parade. Broderick brought the issue to Lynch, concerned that it would only open another avenue of opposition to the manager. (Broderick said he did no lobbying of Lynch.) Mercier also had been spreading concerns that Ross-Sitcawich would anti-everything throughout some Lowell political circles.
The chief concern was that Ross-Sitcawich would vote in step with Stephen Gendron, whom Lynch appointed. Gendron earned the ire of builders for helping to block a 128-unit condominium complex that Stephen Beati is developing on Middlesex Street. Beati ultimately won that matter on appeal in state Land Court. Gendron has also criticized certain aspects of the zoning ordinance, which was overhauled by the present council after extensive review.
Never mind that Gendron’s objections were probably based on some factual aspect of the development (since his job as a Board member is to protect the city’s environmental assets), even if overturned on appeal. I don’t know those details. But it seems to me that this whole vague “objection” is shorthand for “Kristin would vote the way Lynch wants her to.” Since this is the way the Good Ol’ Boys operate, a tradition steeped in personal loyalty akin to that which hounds the Bush administration, they assume that anyone generally inclined to support Lynch feels the same way and would vote accordingly.
As someone who has come to know Kristin very well, after following her run in 2005, I know that she looks at things as objectively as she possibly can. She has expertise in management, budgeting, and gained personal experience in a homeowner’s journey through the very system she was tapped to join. That to me is invaluable - back when the Conservation Commission was run by GOBs, Kristin and her family had to endure a lot of financial pain and stress to defend their property. That job, of watching out for the city’s citizens, is actually supposed to be the Conservation Commission’s. Luckily, since then, many of those ridiculous GOB networks have been pruned out of positions of power, and now we’re being subjected to the backlash from that undercurrent of entitlement that has long dominated this city. (The latest of which was the last election.)
I also know that Kristin had the personal integrity to step aside for a candidate with expertise greater than her own. Imagine if one of the GOB had been tapped (say, by then-manager Cox) and then got passed over after everything had been on the public agenda (and in the paper). Imagine the hue and cry and politics of personal destruction between GOB and GOB…
No, Kristin, with her actions, has shone beyond a shadow of a doubt that her aim is and always has been a fair, transparent, and equitable local government, to the point of stepping aside for another candidate on a Board she had hoped to be on.
By the way, Kristin and I often disagree on many fronts, and she is not anti-developer nor anti-development. Nor does she agree all the time with Lynch, or any other like-minded person. She is perfectly able to look at the facts of the matter and judge on the merits. This is what makes her so dangerous and controversial, of course…
You see, the GOB isn’t interested in being treated fairly. They desire a return to preferential treatment. Their assumptions about how you or I would conduct ourselves is that we are just like them. They can’t understand how a person can have integrity that runs in opposition to mere blind loyalty, because they have never experienced it themselves. That’s why they have reacted (now under the radar) so strongly to Lynch, and since forced to campaign on supporting Lynch’s running of the city, his appointments.
I think we can all safely state there is a very strong tie of personal loyalty and friendship between local developer and Councilor-elect Mr. Kazanjian, and Councilor Armand Mercier. It’s hardly a state secret. Take that for what you will. I only hope that Lynch will remain with the city amid this absurd little GOB dance. While the GOB pays lip service to supporting the current direction of the city, they already have started to court candidates to replace Lynch. Yeah, like the last time we hired a politician for that position, it worked out real well, huh?
Remember your promises to voters, my friends, and folks of integrity will be happy to work with you and let you take some credit. I don’t understand how anyone would want to play politics with the success of our city and its citizens. It’s the most selfish action anyone could ever take. But selfish is, as selfish does.
Hmmm… “politics of personal selfishness.” That pretty much explains it, doesn’t it?
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December 2nd, 2007 at 6:13 pm
“But it seems to me that this whole vague “objection” is shorthand for “Kristin would vote the way Lynch wants her to.””
I expect the objection is more likely that developers would be more restricted in the development of environmentally questionable areas. It is not so much that KRS would vote the way Lynch wants her to, but that she wouldn’t cave into the pressure from the developers. The message to Lynch is more likely something like “If you appoint her, you will lose the support of the incoming council”. Broderick was apparently selected as the messenger, as by using a proxy they are better isolated from the claim of interference. Apparently KRS has enough respect for Lynch that she willingly stepped aside to protect him.
December 2nd, 2007 at 10:54 pm
Lynne:
Great post! So what does this incident say about the type of people the CC wants on our City Boards and Commissions? If this political maneuver reflects what is ahead for the City of Lowell in the next two years, we are going to be busy on this site.
Last week the CC approved the selection of two individuals to the Conservation Commission and this coming week, they are being asked to approve a third appointee. Are we to believe that those CC members and CC members-elect who were so against Kristin’s appointment know the qualifications of those three people and understand their philosophy that they did not need to “spread concern in some Lowell political circles” about them?
I think the Conservation Commission meetings should be held in Council Chambers so that we can view them on LTC; the meetings of the other regulatory boards (Zoning, Planning and License) are. Why not this one?
And as for Steve Gendron’s role on the Planning Board, he is an independent voice; a breath of fresh air.
December 2nd, 2007 at 11:15 pm
I was under the impression that Kazanjian doesn’t become a member until January. Looks like Armand is already tipping his hand and Lynch is reading the writing on the wall. Bernie: grow some stones, cuz if you’re already cowtowing to this guy, he’s gonna have you jumping through hoops when he’s sworn in.
December 2nd, 2007 at 11:52 pm
Likely, they sat around on Friday night at the Sac Club and pissed and moaned about KRS and plotted on how they were going to make their point, make damn sure that she didn’t get the appointment, knock the Mgr. down a few pegs and give themselves a chuckle.
God Forbid,a person be appointed to our City Boards, who has absolutely no connection to any builder/developer and seemingly with only motive to protect the interests of the people in the neighborhoods.
These guys truly showed their hand. And this is only the beginning. There will be much bloodshed on our streets over the next few years.
It will not be pretty.
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December 3rd, 2007 at 1:24 pm
The next 2 years should prove very interesting to say the least. Armand Mercier got caught saying what he really is feeling and not that ‘we’ll call work together’ stuff they’ve been spewing. The games have begun!
December 3rd, 2007 at 2:59 pm
If there is a bright spot in this murky, “anyone but K-R-S” situation, at least Mr. Lynch was able to recruit a truly qualified candidate… not all of us can afford to tell the GOB’s to shove it and walk away.
December 3rd, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Where is KRS? I would like to hear her thoughts on this topic.
How does everyone know it was talked about at the parade? Maybe the manager really did want to appoint her to a homeless board (which she is far more qualified).
KRS where are you???
December 3rd, 2007 at 9:31 pm
Just Me…I’m here, this is the first opportunity I’ve had to respond..
I’d like to address a few areas here;
Waittil, you are correct, I would be less inclined to cave into developer pressure. I’ve seen them at their worst. Nothing fazes me at this point. Whether I’d be more inclined to vote for or against an issue would be based on the project (were I in that position).
If it’s a good project, it will stand on its own. If not, then you go back to the drawing board. I am inclined to make a decision (this goes for any issue) based on the merits, not on personalities.
Just as it was reported, I pulled my application to defer appointment to a Civil Engineer (whom the ConComm had been requesting).
To address JustMe comment…As an employee of the organization I work for, I am a representing member at the Hunger HOmeless Commission.
The other opportunity, the Mgr. had mentioned is the Substance Abuse Task Force. And you are correct, based on the number of years (lord, help me) as a clinician, this is well suited to my professional experience. Considering the number of folks I work with on any given day with substance abuse issues, this is entirely appropriate.
However, do not discount the fact, that I spent 3 years elbow deep in ConCom issues. See, when you have to appeal decisions at the City level, it isn’t the attorney that maps out the strategy, it’s the client (us). And um..yeah, we won. Mainly because we were able to discredit their legal arguments, the engineering, the high water levels and obtain a determination from the Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife as to the fact that the wetland is a vernal pool. By the way, the first one documented in the City of Lowell.
Between the time that an abutter receives notice of a public hearing and the date of the public hearing, it is about two weeks. If you plan on voicing your concerns, you better become a semi expert real fast.
And lastly, in my experience, not every engineer, wetlands specialist, etc..is necessarily given to resource protection.
I am sure that the Mgr. has picked a great ConComm. We shall see. It would be nice to see it televised.
Not surprising on the CC AM issue..not at all.
And Prince Charming..never mind tipping their hats, they wear the same one. Nuff said.
Karma’s a funny thing, these guys might find themselves with a board that will be far more difficult to snow (let’s hope).
And yes, Always Right, the games have begun!