Left In Lowell

Back on September 15th, someone with the moniker Doug S. posted a comment on Lynne’s post on the Sun’s editorial asking City Council Alan Kazanjian to resign. That in itself is not unusual but t he comment had to do with a parking garage security contract.

I was so perplexed that I kept asking everyone what is this about. Well come to find out that the City Garage contract is up next year and the City had sent out RFPs to award the contract. Nothing was awarded by that day but word had leaked as to who may have the inside track. So the spinning had begun.

Now this is where it gets a little fuzzy. I say fuzzy because when it comes to getting a contract from the City, the truth gets lost in the political battle. There are so many layers to this drama. There should be a chart available for all of us to understand who is who; and what the connections are. I hope that everyone who comments provides the proper disclaimer; just the facts. Do not spin it because your brother or your colleague is a principle in one or the other firm; do not spin it because you are an employee of this or that firm.

Jen Myers’article in today’s Sun gives some of the background:

The city has canceled the request for proposals and will re-open bidding for the city’s parking garage security contract, echoing a recommendation made by the state Inspector General’s Office following a complaint from one of the three bidders

I do not want LiL to become another vehicle for the machine to “grease the skids,” as aptly characterized in the Column of September 20th. Unfortunately, I cannot link to it because someone in Denver though the Sun could make a few extra bucks if they stopped posting the Column on line. The background information provided in the Column on this issue is essential to understand the players, the process and more importantly the jagged history of the security contracts for the City garages.

What I want is a safe and clean garage. I remember the days when the garages downtown were not so safe and they were quite dirty. I also want the City to get the best deal; and I do believe that sometime the lowest bidder is not the best. I also want the process to be fair and open. But I do not want to be bullied into giving a contract because someone has the right connections and can scream the loudest.