Left In Lowell

From the beginning of this term, CC Alan Kazanjian asserted himself. I do not know if he intended to become leader of a coalition but that is where he finds himself today. As we review the motions, actions and public comments of the six, we see that the freshman Councilor was able to shape the image, message and agenda with a group of 4-5 Councilors deferring to him or supporting him on all matters of significance.

The discussion that took placeTuesday night between him and the City Manager is a perfect example. He questioned the City Manager on two positions in the Department of Planning and Development which are not yet filled but budgeted. The operative word here is : “budgeted.”

That is the job of the City Council to approve the budget. So essentially, CC Kazanjian was questioning the City Manager on an item that they, the City Council approved, a couple of months ago. Why wasn’t it questioned back then?

The Mayor made an attempted to reaffirm the City Manager’s explanation for the need of these DPD positions, one has regulatory responsibilities and the other has to do with economic development. The Mayor’s explanation was dismissed and none of CC Kazanjian’s other political allies spoke up. So now, City Manager Bernie Lynch, short-staffed, has to come up with a written explanation why he needs those two positions.

The City Manager and the residents of the City thought we had a budget; in effect a plan. And now, every other Tuesday (come Oct., every Tuesday), at the political whims of City Councilors, that budget which is the planning tool for the upcoming year will be up for review, criticism and revision. This is not the way to run a City.

I would expect the rest of the City Councilors to temper their colleague but given what has happened in the past two years, I am afraid we will have more of the same.