Left In Lowell

CC Kazanjian Speaks II

by Mimi at 8:53 pm.

When I am home on Saturday morning (and sometimes when I am not home), I make a point to listen to Warren Shaw’s radio show on WCAP. This morning he had as one of his guests “embattled” City Councilor Alan Kazanjian. I use the word embattled in quotes because that is how the program was being promoted on Friday on the radio station. I am sure it created a city-wide interest in the segment and achieved high rating.

CC Kazanjian had come on this station before to explain the “Sandy Ames falling asleep on his property” incident. Given the fact that the host and co-host of the Saturday morning show are friends of CC Kazanjian, it is expected that he would have chosen this venue to present his political case.

My sense is that this one hour discussion did not change anyone’s mind. Those who support him and were going to vote for him will probably do so; and those who do not support and were not going to vote for him will probably not vote for him. Although we did not learn anything new, the dynamics of the discussion were nevertheless interesting.

Warren explained prior to the 1 hour segment, which began at 8:00 a.m., that he had received some inquiries about the FCC equal time rule . As we all know, it does not apply when it comes to news; so as long as the interview is focused on a non-campaign issues, there is no need to give any other candidate equal time.

And for the most part, that is how the discussion went. Although Bob Hatem did push the envelope a bit when he called in. But that is understandable, Mr. Hatem is a passionate person who is not afraid to speak his mind. In reiterating his support for CC Kazanjian, he implied that someone called in the DA’s office because he was a political opponent of CC Kazanjian. (If I misrepresent his views, I am sure Mr. Hatem will comment).

I find it hard to believe that Middlesex County D.A. Gerry Leone, who has a wide and powerful political base here in Lowell, would begin a “fishing” expedition if he did not have hard evidence? It would be politically dangerous and he does not strike me as one who is foolish. Why would he pick on just this one developer? They either heard or saw something that makes them want to dig deeper. I do not believe any D.A.’s office goes after someone because they got an anonymous phone call or a request from the political opposition.

One of the issues discussed was how did the Sun get a copy of the subpoena? And that the first time the Councilor saw the subpoena was when it was shown to him by a Sun reporter; I assume that was City Editor Chris Scott. Here is the link to the October 6 article where Scott reports on the details of the subpoena. By the way, I do not know if that was the first time that CC Kazanjian heard of the subponea; just that it was the first time he saw it.

Since there are 11 separate department listed on the subpoena, my guess it could have been anyone that passed this on to the Sun. Maybe it is the same guy who took Sandy Ames’ picture sleeping on the Lowell taxpayers’ hard-earned dime. What I find interesting is the dates of the subpoena, beginning January 1, 2002. That is way before Ames joined the City’s workforce.

Speaking of the Sun, I heard they had a reporter there. They have posted a tease on their web site’s breaking news section and will have an article in Sunday’s paper. No, it was not Scott or Jen Myers.

The participants discussed the issue of former Assistant to the City Manager Andy Sheehan and the plan to have him lead the review of Inspectional Services and come up with recommendations. There is an April 11th article, “Lowell task force to target building-permit problems” written by Chris Scott that discusses the findings of a report co-authored by Sheehan. Mr. Sheehan’s salary was eliminated on June 16th. I hope this attempt at revisionist history stops.

Other phone callers challenged CC Kazanjian and others were supportive and friendly. I was a bit surprised that the Executive Director of the YMCA called in and identified himself. The Y is one of the projects listed on the subpoena. And why would a non-profit get involved in this political football at this time? I know CC Kazanjian is on the Board of Directors but for now, if I was the Y staff, I would stay out of the discussion. Leave that to those of us who work out there; we are pretty good at it.

The big winners today were Greater Lowell School Committee candidate Fred Bahou and City Council candidate Patrick Murphy. They had purchased, I suppose a while back, radio ads that played during that hour. As they say, they got the biggest bang for their buck.

[Filed under Local politics, City Council, Elections] [link]

13 Responses to “CC Kazanjian Speaks II”

K-R-S Says:
October 10th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
I found it interesting that:
1.) The majority of callers (that I heard) who had phoned in, lived out of town.
2.) Hatem has his house on the market. I know because my husband and I looked at it (Hatems house) along with 3 others, with a realtor (his sis in law). According to his sis in law, Hatem and his wife are moving to FL.
3.) Wouldn’t an ED of a very well known non profit put he and the organization at risk of greater exposure by inserting themselves/the organization into the discussion further? As a BOD for a few orgs. I’d be pretty upset as it has the potential to hurt the org.
kami Says:
October 11th, 2009 at 6:20 am
“I know CC Kazanjian is on the Board of Directors but for now, if I was the Y staff, I would stay out of the discussion. Leave that to those of us who work out there; we are pretty good at it.”

Just out of curiosity, who is the “we” in “we are pretty good at it”? As far as I recall LiL is just a local political blog not a paid professional news staff. You’re sounding a bit grandiose don’t you think?
Mimi Says:
October 11th, 2009 at 7:21 am
Kami:

I was reffering to the membersip of the Y; as you may know or not know, a lot of politically active people attend the Y. And no, we do not get paid.
joe from Lowell Says:
October 11th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Why the heck would the Middlesex District Attorney be a political opponent of a Lowell City Councilor? That doesn’t make any sense.

You know why Randy Moss is always dissing me? Because he’s jealous of my moves.
K-R-S Says:
October 11th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Joe from Low…we’re all jealous of your moves..
Brian Flaherty Says:
October 11th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Is that how they can have CC Rita Mercier on every Monday, because it’s considered news and a non-campaign appearance?
Teddy P. Says:
October 12th, 2009 at 7:11 am
Yes, Brian. Rita’s appearances are to discuss the upcoming city council meeting agenda and any newsworthy things happening in the city. It’s the same reason you see and hear from incumbent Presidents, Senators and Governors on media outlets discussing news worthy issues and events.

Hope that clarifies things.
Bob Forrant Says:
October 12th, 2009 at 8:23 am
Teddy P and others,

Your reason for having Rita on is exactly why there ought to have been a preliminary election as a way to let challengers get their word out in a more focused way and to learn how things stand with the electorate.

Folks in office have the advantage of their incumbency - and rightly so. That’s the way the system has always worked. But it is also why incumbents ought not to be ever, ever allowed to change election process rules right before an election.

They already have access to media that others do not, they can prattle on about how they care about the city at televised council meetings, now conveniently once a week, and they can get their name and photo in the paper at every store or building opening.

I fully expect Rita and Bud to be posing for photos in the birthing room at Lowell General as they mount their campaign strategies for 2027! And, as for newsworthy, the AK situation and how it affects the council is news worthy, the large number of challengers running for the council is newsworthy, eroding jobs in the city is newsworthy, Target’s opening and whether it might actually harm local businesses is newsworthy, local fire station revolving closings is newsworthy, I can go on.

Why not ask about these things too???
Right in Lowell Says:
October 12th, 2009 at 10:29 am
I believe the reason for the 2002 date is that the statute of limitations goes back 7 years. That’s as far back as they can go in search of ‘evidence’ and information.
waittilnextyr Says:
October 12th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
I don’t buy the reasoning provided by Teddy P. - Rita Mercier is but one councilor of nine, so all should get their shot in the barrel on the basis of discussing the upcoming city council agenda. Even that should be suspended for the 60-day window preceeding the election.
Bob Forrant Says:
October 12th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Good point waittil - and thta’s what I am doing now that the Red Sox have flamed out! Why not rotate all councilors through to discuss the agenda - why is there a chosen one at WCAP right before an election. There oughta be a law - or is there?
Right in Lowell Says:
October 12th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
She’s a regular on City Life on LTC as well and bud is a semi regular.
grizzled veteran Says:
October 18th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Teddy, please think about wait’s comments and your fairly naive explanation. Not only should each Councilor be given the opportunity to discuss the agenda, so should the challengers. Why aren’t their comments news if they are topical? When Regina was on air, she recused herself in the weeks before the election. What makes Rita different? Given the free air time all incumbents get - not only on WCAP - but on local cable TV, media outlets should make an extra effort to introduce voters to all candidates. One positive example of this is the station’s coverage of the recent labor forum and today’s US Senate debate. For that you get credit.

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October 10, 2009

CC Kazanjian Speaks II

13 Responses to “CC Kazanjian Speaks II”

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