A Tale of Two Memories
It’s he-said she-said (well, he-said he-said) with today’s Column, in which Move Lowell Forward member Michael Ready was mentioned regarding the “after meeting party” at the GHTHS Board session wherein they crowned Santoro Superintendent. As a refresher, thus wrote the Column:
After Tuesday night’s vote to hire Mary Jo Santoro as the next superintendent of Greater Lowell Tech., School Committee member George O’Hare of Lowell and local activist Michael Ready got into a loud war of words. Ready proclaimed that Santoro’s hiring was a bag job from the beginning. O’Hare disagreed. School spokesman Michael McGovern jumped into the fray, literally blocking Ready’s access to school officials with his chest and escorting Ready out of the administrative offices.
In that paragraph, it’s obvious their source was on the GOB side of things, possibly “spokesflack” Michael McGovern himself (and again as in comments, I am wondering, what high school has a spokesflack?? I’d like to know). But Paul, who was also there at the meeting and present at this moment, gainsays this in comments to my previous post:
Mr Ready was NOT escorted out of the meeting! He (and I beside him) left of our own free will! The “war of words” was initiated by Mr O’Hare who left the Council table and confronted Mr Ready who only stood his ground. Several people at the meeting did suggest we leave but only because there needed to be an executive session which common mortals are not allowed to attend
So, two very different takes on what happened. Obviously the “initiated by O’Hare” part was not part of the GOB party line. Oops. Too bad there’s eyewitnesses to correct the record, and a blog where they post their point of view.
As an aside, I know of no two individuals as upstanding as Michael and Paul. They are both honest men, willing to take a stand, and I think deserve a whole lot of credit for bringing all of this malarkey to our attention. Taking the time out of their lives as they have on this issue is not easy, nor is being attacked personally for doing so. You have had a chance to read Michael’s statements to the Board, and in no way was he disrespectful. He and Paul take their responsibility as citizens seriously, and I have just a ton of respect for both of them for their work. I just want to say that publicly that I have and will continue to enjoy working with these two gentlemen. I’m sorry this paints them as targets, but I applaud them!
May 9th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
A huge thank you to Michael and Paul for putting themselves out there in the publics eye. It is refreshing that residents take a stand with nothing to gain besides a better place to live.
May 10th, 2010 at 6:59 am
Nashoba Technical also has a “School Spokesman” aka PR Person. Dan Phelps the Lowell Sun Columnist works for that School System.
The City of Lowell does not have one that I know of.
May 10th, 2010 at 7:19 am
Both seem totally excessive. We’re looking at the numbers now, and honestly, it ain’t pretty.
May 10th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
I’ll side with the people who believe that it was a bag job - quite simply because it was!!! I wonder why the ethics people aren’t involved in this. It does not seem right that the people who are making the selection announce their preferences before the process has even begun. It’s a shame when the selection process at Greater Lawrence (of all places) makes Greater Lowell look bad.
May 10th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
Lynne
Are you serious?
“We’re looking at the numbers, and honestly, it ain’t pretty”
How do you take yourself seriously?
Have you ever stepped in the Voke School?
And to answer your question — No I don’t know who the new super is and no one in my family works there
Stop sniping and run for office —
Is it too much work to run for office or do you prefer to find where the strong person stumbles (reference Roosevelt’s quote if you do not know what I am talking about)
May 10th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
“Are you serious?”
I know, people can get so full of themselves when they think they know stuff, like the public data that is out there to be analyzed and compared. You think just because you do some research you get to say you know something? How arrogant. Only a blow-in would think they can come in here and do math and stuff. [/snark]
Here’s a preview for you naysayer:
2010 Budget administration cost percentage:
Lowell School System: 3.042%
GLTHS: 5.70%
Greater Lawrence Technical HS: 3.58%
Get over yourself outsider. There is actual stuff that can be learned here and just because you don’t get off your duff and do it doesn’t mean anyone else who does is automatically arrogant. Down that path is the cult of the dumb and uninformed.
May 10th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
Mr Lynne
Thanks but I didn’t use the word arrogant — but if it fits ? Maybe it runs in the family
“Get over Yourself” — What exactly have you done that is positive for this city?
Take a look at the Roosevelt quote — maybe you will understand what I am saying but I doubt it
I have never mentioned you are a blow in but ………
May 10th, 2010 at 5:50 pm
“How do you take yourself seriously?”
Buy a dictionary. She didn’t claim that she’s done ‘good for the city’ nor I (although I’ve heard many others express this about her). You were reacting to here very simple statement that she looked at the preliminary data and stated an opinion about it. Now, like a schoolyard kid playing intellectual you’re changing the subject so the criticism doesn’t seem to hit you square.
May 10th, 2010 at 7:29 pm
If you can’t handle the criticism or a critique then
Boo Hoo
Continue to tear down and not build up the city — just say’n
Please let me know what you or this blog has done to sell the city in a positive light?
We have plenty of negative (like every other city) and it should be routed out !
Everything in the City is the GOB’s fault (which I am not one –btw I am a blow in)
BUT Manager Lynch has been here for 4 Years ? When does it stop being everyone else’s fault?
Stay Positive or push people out of the way and run for office and lead by example
Or is it just easier to be with “the cold and timid souls who will never know victory nor defeat”
I will pull papers when you do — so I will never have to worry
May 10th, 2010 at 10:13 pm
Hey we have enough people “selling” the city, I don’t need to be another blind cheerleader like Bud Caulfield or Rita Mercier thanks.
However, I spend an inordinate amount of time on this blog, which you purport to read but obviously you have selective memory, promoting, praising, and otherwise “cheering” all sorts of arts and cultural venues. Every week I’m doing this, where the f are you??
You’re wrong; I do NOT have to run for office to be engaged in citizenship in my city. What an asinine thing to say. What, is the freedom of speech suddenly revoked?? You want useless commentating, yours comes pretty close. You accomplish nothing here, I don’t even know why you post.
You sound like a GOB, you seriously do, and blowins can be GOBs by the way. You certainly are apologist enough for them to be in the camp. Apologize away, but I will continue to flinch every time Rita or Bud open their mouths and stick their feet in them every council meeting. But you’re right, it’s sort of like shooting fish in a barrel at times.
Just because they are blind cheerleaders doesn’t mean they are good for the city.
May 11th, 2010 at 10:00 am
Enough people selling the City? Are you kidding ? Open store fronts
You are right being a blind chearleader isn’t always good for the city — I didn’t even vote for Bud (Rita on the other hand — gotaa love her) .
Being negative most of the time — (if you don’t believe me just look at your posts and the language you use).
Just say’n —- those are the facts Boo Hoo !!!!!
BTW look at what Mimi has to say about being critical
Live it Learn it Love it
May 11th, 2010 at 10:40 am
The following POSITIVE comment is offered:
Putting aside the validity of outsider’s points, you certainly must admit that he/she displays a brilliant use of emoticons!
May 11th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
outsider, I run a business AND employ people AND all that in downtown Lowell. Don’t tell me “Open store fronts.” I have (an office front at least). Where’s yours?
I’m most negative when having to respond to YOUR negativity - how’s that for a mirror?
Lol at JC.
May 12th, 2010 at 11:27 am
Outsider this post originated as a discussion of events that occurred last week at GLT. Because of you it has degenerated into an attack on Lynne! There was not much POSITIVE to say about the GLT situation so looking for positives here will prove rather futile! You attack Lynne for “looking at the numbers.” We at MoveLowellForward are analyzing how YOUR tax dollars are being used at this school. We are looking at how similar schools use their tax dollars. If you wish to see first hand how your tax dollars are being spent at GLT I recommend you attend tomorrow night’s School Committee meeting. It is held @ 7pm in the Superintendent’s Office at GLT, Pawtucket Blvd, Tyngsboro. Otherwise MLF will publicly disclose our findings when we have something to report.