Left In Lowell

Mayor Murphy Squares Off

by Jack at 7:10 pm.

For greater context of the Mayor’s response, feel free to follow this link back to the Blog of Record.

Chris,

Among the many false assertions made in your recent post is the suggestion that “the Column blog is chasing down Murphy and Lynch for their response,” as though I were evading any questions. At the time of your writing, I had not received any communication whatsoever from the Sun/Blog/yourself. This leads to other issues of communication. In November, I spoke with then Councillor-elect Kennedy for an hour at Santoro’s to discuss the kinds of issues he’d like to work on in the new term, and he expressed an interest in economic development and transportation, and a concern for the rules. We also discussed at that time the mayoralty, and Mr. Kennedy had indicated that he would be in touch with me at the beginning of the following week with a decision. We did not speak again until I called him over a month later. After hearing of Councillor Martin’s public support, I called Rodney on Saturday, December 31st at 3:52pm and left a message, which was never returned. As you might imagine, communication must be two-way. Communication is also important in organizing and chairing meetings.

You also make the statement: “Murphy rewarded those who supported him and whacked those who didn’t.” I would suggest you ask either Councillor Mercier or Vice Chairman Mendonça whether they were happy with their assignments or whether they felt “whacked.” I would further suggest that it is perhaps your mindset of power politics, rather than mine, that has colored the interpretation of these assignments. They were made thoughtfully and to spur the most discussion and ideas. Councillor Nuon’s background in public safety issues in his twenty-plus year career and his work in the community will be important to inform the work ahead of us. He campaigned on actual ideas that he wanted to pursue, particularly addressing youth violence with satellite after-school programs, and I expect that he will be able to work with many groups and leaders to achieve those.

Similarly, I think that Councillor Elliott’s involvement with the flooding issues, particularly in his neighborhood of Pawtucketville, well qualifies him to lead the relevant subcommittee. His community involvement in youth soccer groups, his concern for their safety in the library and elsewhere, and his enthusiastic support for the Vote 17 initiative make him a good fit for the Youth Issues subcommittee. Having served on both the Council and School Committee, a keen eye for details and an independent mind, Vice Chairman Mendonça appears to have a far better grasp of municipal finance issues, and how they are all intertwined. I would also like to see this committee meet more regularly and work more closely with the School Department’s counterpart in the coming term, and Vice Chairman Mendonça ‘s experience on the School Committee should facilitate those discussions. As I said before, the subcommittees are new and no one has been replaced, but in the twelve preceding years, the former Chair presided over a time of declining bond ratings and at a time when the city was added to the Department of Revenue’s watchlist. He has suggested that bond ratings don’t matter, made motions that confirm that belief, and has shown a poor understanding of performance-based budgeting. He voted against the Ameresco contract and LowellStat initiative, both of which will realize substantial long-term savings while improving our operations. So the decision was a policy one, not personal. To be worthwhile, experience is not just about time served, but how wisely time is spent.

Lastly, I would like to address your repetition of a false and defamatory claim—originally made by Lyle Moran and repeated by your editor—namely that the city manager has had a hand in my decisions as a councillor. The editor has not responded to a request for a meeting to discuss those statements. In fact, if there is a communication problem, it lies with the paper. Three emails were sent on November 12th, 14th and 21st respectively, before the first response by the Sun shortly thereafter on the 21st. Another making the request for a meeting has not been responded to since the 22nd of November. As it appears the Sun is not as eager to answer questions as it is to ask them, I will say this clearly for the record: the manager did not participate in any discussion of subcommittee assignments or in what issues I choose to pursue. The manager does not tell me how to vote, which motions to file, who to reward or who to whack. We are not in the mob. We know our roles. And I am simply a citizen of Lowell hoping to make things a bit better. You could probably help. I hope you will.

Patrick Murphy
Lowell

[Filed under MA politics] [link]

26 Responses to “Mayor Murphy Squares Off”

Ed Murrow Says:
January 11th, 2012 at 8:18 pm
If I may offer some unsolicited advice to Mayor Murphy it would be this: “Don’t get into a pissing contest with a skunk.” It has been made quite clear what the editors position is on the choice of mayor and we all know that when the editor doesn’t get his way a tantrum usually follows. Scott gets paid to write, and he writes what he is told to write. His views are bought and paid for. So Mr. Mayor do your best to ignore the ink stained wretches, even though the ink is Devens ink, not Lowell ink. They will try to provoke you into verbal fisticuffs and as the saying goes “they buy their ink by the barrel.” Of course debating with Campanini or Scott reminds one of Shakespeare’s quote:”I would challange you to a battle of wits, but I see you are unarmed.” The best revenge Mr. Mayor is to do a good job, best of luck.
Joe S Says:
January 11th, 2012 at 8:20 pm
Great counter!
joe from Lowell Says:
January 11th, 2012 at 11:07 pm
Mayor Murphy shouldn’t feel compelled to respond to these people every time they throw a spitball. If he gets in the habit of writing “Hey, that’s not true!” it will just make it seem, when he doesn’t respond, that he’s admitting that the charge is true.

Nor should he feel compelled to refute the notion that people who cross him get “whacked.” He has adversaries, and it won’t do for them to think that they can take a piece out of him without consequences.
Mr. Lynne Says:
January 12th, 2012 at 12:03 am
I do think that this response does us a great service. It documents the Sun’s behavior off the page. It documents how their efforts are not toward getting the real story here. It documents the insincerity any of their claims at balance or truth really are.

Murphy has to tell us of his efforts here for this to come out.

A real man would have met with Murphy. What does that make Campy?
Lynne Says:
January 12th, 2012 at 1:36 am
I just find it hilarious that the Editor even MAKES these accusations. With NO evidence or reason, just spite and malice and a generous dose of agenda.

Never ever has anyone been so guilty of “projection.”

What a laughing stock that paper’s leadership makes of this city sometimes.
SpindleSister Says:
January 12th, 2012 at 7:32 am
Oddly enough, I agree with joe. When the Mayor starts responding to these accusations (regardless of how well written the response may be), it establishes an expectation that the paper will latch on to and use against him. As soon as there isn’t an adequate or timely response to something written in the paper, they will twist the facts to suggest that the Mayor’s lack of response suggests it is true.

Just focus on being a good Mayor (and if you are better than good, everyone wins). Be fair and honest, and listen to the citizens. That is all anyone can really ask for, regardless of whether or not they agree with you.
Jack Says:
January 12th, 2012 at 8:21 am
A proper strategy would involve surrogates and third party validation.

Campi uses a surrogate. He came in 2nd, this last election. Haven’t you heard?
Lynne Says:
January 12th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
LOL@Jack!!

I sort of see what you’re saying in not responding and all, but honestly, I’d RATHER see competing points of view on the situation then letting the “paper” of “record” have all the say. I mean, look where ignoring the Swiftboaters got Kerry - they were totally 100% full of crap in August 2004, and yet, totally changed the way people viewed Kerry’s service and then commitment to bringing the troops home from Vietnam afterward. Because theirs was the only storyline being told.

And Murphy isn’t the sort of person who will allow a jerk like Campanini to get away with lying through his teeth (whether directly or through his chosen minion). It just isn’t in Patrick’s character. He’s a fighter through and through.

The paper is going to kick the crap out of Mayor Murphy whether or not he adds fuel to the fire by responding, let’s all just face facts. We need to be rid of that cadre if we want to see that stop happening.
Boomer Says:
January 12th, 2012 at 3:23 pm
If I was Murphy I would’ve picked up the phone and responded that way. Clearly emailing The Sun wasn’t getting him anywhere. I think responding to Lowell Sun Blogs via blog int a good look for any elected official especially when you can call the paper anytime-they always are in need of a new controversy. I also find the manner in which he took CC Elliott’s chairmanship away childish. Regardless of how you feel about him or his views, Murphy should have called him to discuss this. If Elliott had become mayor and pulled Murphy from chairing his previous committees you can bet Jack would’ve been blogging of how petty CC Elliott is but instead we have role reversal and everyone thinks its ok over here on LiL. Calling CC Elliott on NYE? That’s when he decided to talk to him about committee appointments? Really? He hadn’t even been sworn in yet so I highly doubt he was calling for that purpose. Same applies for his discussion with CC Kennedy. Really? That’s all he gets too? Seems like a load of crap to me and Murphy needs to grow up, call people and back it up because the excuse that “experience” was the reason for the change in chairmanship has already changed. But he’s not a flip flipper right Jack? Oh an don’t get me started on Noun’s appointment as chair of public safety HA! What a joke and a slap in the face to the LPD. Good luck with that backlash Murphy!
Lowell Resident Says:
January 12th, 2012 at 5:39 pm
What exactly did Vensa Nuon do wrong? I suppose you’d be totally cool with being illegally arrested and then just shrug it off? And you’d like it if the local police force had that power to lock people up for no reason and no judicial recourse. The cop is the one who messed up. People need to stop blaming Councilor Nuon because some jerk cop overstepped his bounds.
Lowell Resident Says:
January 12th, 2012 at 5:51 pm
By the way, I appreciate that we have a mind reader here who knows exactly what Mayor Murphy’s intentions are and how Jack would react to totally hypothetical situations. So I’m going to play this game too. Murphy calls Elliot to tell him of the change and then it *doesn’t* become a big story in the Sun? Because Rodney Elliot has handled perceived slights so well over the past few months (years even)? Then you’ll have the Lowell Sun trying to influence the assignments before they are handed out. But of course we’ll never know since the councilor who is complaining about the lack of communication never called his colleague back. And New Year’s Eve at 3:00 in the afternoon is just another Saturday afternoon.
Lynne Says:
January 12th, 2012 at 6:02 pm
Wow bitter much?

I don’t need to be a mind reader, I can judge people for myself using my own observations, conversations, and personal interaction skills. I know that Campanini is untrustworthy. I know that Murphy is trustworthy. I have heard both sides of the story and I can make a judgement for myself. Even just the words written/spoken by each, I can make that judgement, nevermind the fact that I have interacted with Murphy and I have a long history of pegging Campanini’s reason d’etre.

Wah wah wah wah you’re not helping Elliot’s case by surrogate whining.
Kathy Says:
January 12th, 2012 at 7:21 pm
No one is guaranteed a position on a subcommittee, or a chairmanship, for life! I thought Mayor Murphy made an excellent point at the council meeting when he said he didn’t take anyone off a subcommittee, he made appointments to subcommittees. I have worked at organizations where they changes subcommittee memberships every year or two to get fresh insights and experiences. It makes sense to me. Also, I thought the Mayor’s comments regarding Rodney Elliott’s lack of vision as chair of the Finance Subcommittee made a lot of sense. Joe Mendonca is a very smart man. He will make an excellent chair of that subcommittee.
Lowell Resident Says:
January 12th, 2012 at 8:33 pm
ummm…Lynne, since I was the one who introduced the term “mind reader” I was obviously referring to Mr. Boomer who just knows that Murphy wasnt going to talk about subcommittee assignments on December 31st and just knows that Jack would be bashing Elliot (that part may be true, but the flipside is I don’t remember any public shots being taken by Mayor Murphy towards Councilor Elliot in the run up to the mayoral election, I’m not sure about the flip side. If you attack the integrity of your colleague, you can’t be crying if you get “punished,” that’s politics. I actually think Councilor Kennedy’s comments were frank about the reality of the way politics in all lines of work go. So when I said mind-reader I wasnt referring to you, I think you are dead on as far as this is concerned, maybe I am misunderstanding your using that phrase in your post.
Lynne Says:
January 12th, 2012 at 9:02 pm
Oh, sorry, my bad! I really totally misinterpreted.

In my defense I got 4 hours sleep last night doing work. :-/
kmarcin Says:
January 13th, 2012 at 10:28 am
Did anyone happen to catch License Commissioner Akashian’s crazy rant against the mayor yesterday?
Mr. Lynne Says:
January 13th, 2012 at 10:49 am
In what forum was his rant?
Jack Says:
January 13th, 2012 at 11:14 am
When the site is updated, you can watch the rant, here on LTC.

Also, Jen Myers has a report up, online:

“This is his history as a city councilor,” Akashian said of Murphy. “He continuously makes motions that are for his own benefit and never takes into account anyone it affects.”

Last night, Murphy disagreed.

“I consulted with the people I represent,” he said, adding the catalyst for the motion was a Downtown Neighborhood Association meeting he attended, along with two dozen residents and business owners. “I wanted to make sure those people were heard because that is only fair. There’s a reason I’m serving on the Council and it has very little to do with me.”

As a North Reading ‘grow-in,’ let me share with you part of a comment on Myer’s article. I think it captures the knuckle draggers that so often puke up when prodded by their handlers, fairly well.

… The people who spoke in favor of night meetings are the people who (thankfully) do not have children. Thankfully, they are a minority of Boston blow-ins and not real Lowelllians.

Yes, only “real Lowellians” should breed, ‘Cupples_Square.’ Incest is best! Who is Akashian related to?
(Note, 5:08pm: The incest remark is based on my perception of political ‘inbreding’ within a narrow Lowell subculture. - Jack )
Joe S Says:
January 13th, 2012 at 2:19 pm
I would think those comments attributed to a license commission member are so flagrantly contrary to what the City is trying to accomplish that it would be cause to remove the offending party from the commission.
Lowell Resident Says:
January 13th, 2012 at 3:16 pm
I still don’t understand the logic towards why the License Commission deserves special treatment as opposed to all the other boards and commissions that meet in the evening time. I haven’t heard an argument towards what makes them so special. If “Cupples Square” is so concerned about license commission meeting attendees missing dinner, why doesnt he share that concern for people that go to City Council meetings, School Committee meetings and so on and so forth?
kmarcin Says:
January 13th, 2012 at 3:51 pm
Who says we don’t have children? I do…
Lynne Says:
January 13th, 2012 at 3:58 pm
Yeah, did I miss the part where the commissioners get appointed by the CM and the City Council? I don’t think that these comments are a way to get reappointed, somehow. Not to mention the lack of giving a shit about what residents want.

I also missed the part where “blow-ins” are not residents who don’t deserve as much consideration as “townies”?
evelyn Says:
January 13th, 2012 at 4:27 pm
Wow Jack… I know you like to be sarcastic, but joking about Incest is about as low as you can get. That remark is in such poor taste that you should really seek professional help.

Incest is a crime and one that is generally perpetuated against Child Victims. Insensitive comments, even from political pundits, serve to undermine the strides that have been made to prevent the sexual abuse and exploitation of children.

As a father, how can you joke about incest.

As a human being, how can you belittle the sexual exploitation of children.

Victims of incest are raped by family members, it is now funny and should not be joked about, even on a blog.

maybe you should use your savvy and skills to look into these things. Maybe you should go to this link http://www.incestresourcesinc.org and look at the devastating effect of the crime you so casually joke about.

Please try and use some form of internal filter and think before you speak.

e-
Jack Says:
January 13th, 2012 at 5:02 pm
As I know at least two victims, I don’t need to be informed. But, you are correct in that I wouldn’t use that phrase in their company. It would be in bad taste. Why? Because they know, I know. You can come away, if you wish, knowing that I can be very bad. It’s true.

When blogging, there is certainty in offending someone(s). But, they surely know that I don’t mean to, only that I wasn’t careful not to.

The thing is, is that ‘Cupples_Square’ was intentionally saying a big howdy do & fuck you, too, to all us Lowellians that don’t fit his/her’s narrow definition.

So my analysis is, that I intended to offend like minded townies that worship at the false idol of inbred fidelity to their political fuedal master, but may have accidently caused collateral damage to a reader(s) of this blog. The internet is such a big place.
Lowell Resident Says:
January 13th, 2012 at 5:26 pm
Jack, maybe you should look at what an “Evelyn Maddox” said about you on the Lowell Sun comments section before being so considerate. It sounds like someone just felt like making an ad hominem attack!
Jack Says:
January 13th, 2012 at 5:42 pm
That’s good looking out, LR.

Here is what ‘EvelynMaddox’ wrote:

Dear Cupples_Square,

If you have children, you need to keep an eye on them.
Left in Lowell has referred to your posting and has made jokes about sexually abusing children.

It is unfortunate that the bloggers on that website have chosen to take matters to such a low and disgusting place, and it my sincerest hope that this was not a threat directed to you or your children.

Spoken like a true denizen of Topix. I must have struck a political nerve.

As Lynne has noted, nothing drives site traffic like this sort of crap. They mean to hurt, but the only hurt themselves. Oh, was that an implied threat? Wait, is my noting the implied threat, hightening an implied threat. Ahhhhhh. It’s a trap!

January 11, 2012

Mayor Murphy Squares Off

26 Responses to “Mayor Murphy Squares Off”

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