Now those in favor of Paul Schlichtman have switched their votes to Dr. Bouquillon #glths

— Sarah Favot (@sarahfavot) June 18, 2013

The deadlocked didn’t break.

Boutin makes motion to appoint Bob Lussier interim superintendent for month of july contingent on successful negotiations. Passes.

— Sarah Favot (@sarahfavot) June 18, 2013

The political stunt by the Boutin faction of the GLTHS school committee lays bare the shallowness of the Gitschier cabal.

My apologizes to soon to be former Supt. Santoro, for drumming up her name with my old mantra. But, it is clear, Cassin style politics is not being forced out of that school. Same shit. Different spoon.

And, to top it off, Mike Hayden pulled papers to run for a seat. Is he running for one of the 4 year seats, occupied by O’Hare & Bahou? Or, is he going to try and snipe Boutin off of the balance of Lenzi’s term?

There was a period of time, I was thinking of hijacking the Shallot brand and running my own bootleg jihad. But, that would not be cricket.

The Shallot has risen.

There will be No Quarter. The Shallot is, apparently, a Thelemite. Do what thou wilt is the whole of the Law.

All I ask for is an updated Crony Map.

I’ve attended several so far - notably, Stacie Hargis, Vesna Nuon, and tonight, Derek Mitchell, on the city council side. (KRS on the School Committee side so far as well.)

Derek, impressively, held his event in the heart of the Acre, at the longstanding French Canadian club Passe-Temps. (I can’t see that without sounding it out in my head with a French accent.) I thought that this was a nice touch for a campaign whose slogan is “for ALL of Lowell.”

Here is my crude taping of his speech, as well as part of the intro (sorry, I got a call in the middle of taping at the beginning, looking at YOU Mr. Lynne!) and after his speech, there was another speaker and she got cut off by the fact my phone sim card, apparently, is full. (Could be that my method of leaving all my photos and videos on there forever might be to blame…)

Had a lot of fun tonight, and feeling really optimistic about Lowell’s candidates this year. I think you are all in for a great surprise in how good they are. I’m excited to see Van Pech running again, Jim Milinazzo has pulled papers, and many (though not all, we’ll talk later) of the challengers are on the side of Right and Good (and by that I mean, they have more than a lick of common sense and care about facts and stuff).

Welcome to the race Derek (again, since this is not your first event)!

Now, your turn:

MOTIONS
19. C. Kennedy - Req. City Council Neighborhoods SC consider recommending to the DPD work with backyard chicken enthusiasts to establish a chicken cooperative as an alternative to backyard chickens.

20. C. Martin - Req. Police Supt. report to City Council concerning smart policing and other initiatives planned to reduce violence in summer months.

21. C. Lorrey/C. Mercier - Req. City Mgr. have the proper dept. explore a long term solution to the parking shortage around Callery Field.

22. C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. have proper dept. replace parking lot signage at the Wang and Pawtucketville Memorial Schools.
23. C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. have proper dept. make exterior repairs at the Pawtucketville Memorial School.
24. C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. have LPD report on traffic safety in the neighborhoods.

25. C. Mercier - Req. Law Dept. begin the process of abandoning Worcester Road.

26. C. Elliott - City Council discuss proposed trash contract.
27. C. Elliott - City Manager provide update on transferring of non-emergency fire signals and cost estimate for the work.
28. C. Elliott - City Council discuss setting up revolving fund for Cawley Stadium.
29. C. Elliott - City Manger provide report on status of Solar Renewable Energy Credits for city solar projects.
30. C. Elliott - City Manager provide report on status of new Charter School.

It seems I’m a bit of a naïve optimist:

(h/t Julia Malakie)

Note: Boutin loses his cool, no argument. But, please keep in mind, Gitschier has a way of getting under your skin. He takes pride in it.
…

Maybe, it is supposed to be about the kids? That is, at least, a cute campaign slogan. But, it is also about the admin, staff & teachers that live out there for 20+ years. They matter, in my mind, as much as the kids. Also, it is about the school committee. But, in a different way.

Maybe, it is my military background? I spent about 3 years in Arlington National Cemetery, performing honor duty for fallen soldiers. I say that to say, I believe in the sanctity of institutions, oaths & ceremony. I believe that the School Committee is a body that deserves respect by earning respect.

To be blunt, I favour Paul Schlictman in this kerfuffle. Though, after reading the slimy hit jobs that the Lowell Sun has slammed Dave Norkiewicz with, I’ve lost my appetite to pull for Paul. He’s got some friends that are the worst kind to have. They are not above pulling the same kind of stunts that Chris Scott wants to assign to Gitschier & Fallon. When we get to the point of kettles finger pointing at each other’s blackness, it is time for me to step back.

We are dealing with damaged goods, all around. But, none are more damaged than the reputation of the GLTHS SC. After a fairly decent approach to culling through candidates, one that was noted favourably by those watching; this silly, petty, ego driven clan members have pissed their good names away.

Unfortunately, they are the best we are gonna get out there. Who really cares what the hell happens out there in the woods? How else could Mike Hayden get re-elected, repeatedly? Oddly, they aren’t paying the high salaries in monopoly money. They can still invent jobs like ‘public relations’ or whatever title Mike McGovern has. They can still hire in an incestuous manner that would make a West Virginia moonshiner tip his jug.

Ultimately, they are completely fucked out there. They know it. We know it. And, on it goes. Unabashed.

Now, just to keep from damaging himself with self-inflicted wounds in the Council Chamber. #rodneyformayor

…
F.U.D.: fear, uncertainty and doubt. Also known as scare tactics, either accomplished by threat or making the opponent doubt his standpoint. Not only used in lawsuits, but also in politics and military propaganda.

shit house lawyer: an unqualified person who gives legal advice. Usually distorting the advice to favor a desired outcome.

big mouth: used in reference to somebody who likes to spread gossip, or who cannot keep a secret

The dominoes are tumbling. Everyone has an opinion about Wally Bayliss’ ill gotten goods. This thing is still playing out. And it won’t stop with Wally, (the poor bastard).

From the Blog of Record:

LOWELL — The city is targeting the Retirement Board, an autonomous city agency, for nearly $100,000 the city paid in retiree health benefits to former License Commission member Walter Bayliss Jr., who the current board has determined was improperly granted retirement in 2006.

In a letter submitted to the Retirement Board last Friday, City Solicitor Christine O’Connor says the city paid approximately $97,000 towards Bayliss’ health-insurance premiums from 2006 to the present.

“But for the Board inappropriately allowing Mr. Bayliss into the retirement system in 1995, and further allowing him to retire in 2006, the City would have never incurred such expenses,” O’Connor wrote.

“This letter is to inform the board that the city intends to hold the board responsible for its actions in this matter as well as for any and all damage that the city has and may incur as a result of such actions.”

In the letter, O’Connor highlights that the board approved Bayliss’ entrance into the retirement system in 1995 based on documents saying he had served on the License Commission.

Bayliss had in fact served on the Lowell Memorial Auditorium Board of Trustees from 1984 to 1995 and was not compensated.

Level heads will prevail. The Tuesday Night Kabuki, City Life & the Blogs will all go quite, right after the November election.

And, it will all come down to these:
Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission (PERAC)

General Laws >> PART I >> TITLE IV >> CHAPTER 32

I’ll see you on the other side.

It appears that the School Committee may not have a single challenger. There is a name being floated but I do not know if it can be attributed to a Lowell political rumor or if it a fact. Same can be said of the Greater Lowell School Committee.

However, on the City Council side, there are a number of challengers who have announced their candidacy and have begun their campaign. There are reports that others may join the growing list.

I think we will all benefit from the upbeat message and positive outlook that these new voices and new ideas bring to civic engagement and municipal government.

LiL readers may I introduce Lowell City Council candidate Derek Mitchell:

For those of you who do not know Derek, this is a good introduction.

This will be the 5th City election that LiL will experience and I truly believe this year the campaign strategies will be dominated by facebook, twitter, and you tube. Of course, nothing beats a face-to-face meeting but facebook is an effective alternate. But this is a topic for another post.

CITY COUNCILOR Rita Mercier proved once again Tuesday night she has the courage to bring a motion forward that many other councilors fear.

At the core of The Column’s boasting, on behalf of Rita, is her electoral strength. She is the #1 vote collector. This ‘position’ gives Rita the gall to act with impunity.

My point of view leads me to see Rita as NOT acting with “courage,” as The Sun projects. Rather, Rita will err towards bullying, immune from the consequence of electoral failure. She is cocky and arrogant. She tinges her swagger with a sickly sweet, hand wringing humility. Just enough not to decimate her wrinkled base of support.

The red line is Rita’s waning support:

Waning or not, so far, she is #1!

That’s why she can escape a harsh reaction when she waves a confidential document in public session.

Though C.Mercier feels she is not “obligated” to the Bayliss Pact, nonetheless, it is legally binding. And she, like all other Councilors, are bound to it by virtue of our Charter.

You can see the thing for yourselves, HERE. (h/t Lowell Sun)

It was ratified on Sept. 5, 2012. Below are some important segments, which I have highlighted.

Oopsie. That sure looks like the Council is ‘obligated’ to honor the confidentiality clause.

Above, Bayliss is put on a level playing field with all the other retirees of the City. How Bayliss became a retiree is open to debate. The segment above ensures it is understood that he is no better or worse in stature, than any other retiree. If you wish to stress the word ‘regardless,’ then we can go off to Court. The City was prepared.

That seems cut and dry to me. For sure, the local Retirement Board has “jurisdiction.” And, after them, another Body will entertain an appeal. What is clear, is the City Council is not in line to adjudicate anything involving Bayliss. (Or, dented cars, for that matter)

On Sept. 11, 2012, The Council gave it the once over. Rita was there.

LOWELL CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2012
CITY HALL, CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER
TIME 6:30 PM Roll call showed 9 present (C. Leahy sworn in at meeting).
Mayor Murphy presiding.
…
EXECUTIVE SESSION

Executive session regarding the settlement of Bayliss v. City of Lowell, et al. In Council, Motion by C. Kennedy “To remove item from Agenda until meeting with the Auditor.” No second. Motion by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Kennedy “To not go into Executive Session and speak with Attorney for Mr. Bayliss regarding discussion in open forum.” Adopted on Roll Call Vote 9 yeas. So voted. City Solicitor commented the matter could be taken up in public if all parties agree so there would have to be discussions with Mr. Bayliss or his attorney regarding that issue. C. Kennedy questioned why Mr. Bayliss was not notified. City Solicitor commented that the discussion would not center on charges or character of Mr. Bayliss. C. Kennedy questioned the confidentiality of the agreement and City Solicitor responded that in answering she is attempting to avoid a potential legal issue and that the Settlement Agreement is not a public document. C. Mercier noted Mr. Bayliss should be present for discussion. C. Elliott commented on agreement and confidentiality. Mayor Murphy stated that confidentiality is what it is.

Motion To Adjourn by M. Murphy, seconded by C. Kennedy. So voted.

Okay. I’ve covered a lot of ground fast. And, on Square 1, I asserted that such behavior is Rita Mercier’s Modus Operandi. Yes. I stand by my claim that Councilor Mercier is emboldened, thus reckless, by her stature as the #1 vote collector.

Case in point:

Lowell council rejects probe over vote to eliminate top City Hall position
The Sun, 7/15/09, Archived Online
…
The night of the budget hearing, City Solicitor Christine O’Connor advised the council that it could, legally, cut the funding for a position. She explained the process several times to councilors as they struggled to correctly word the motion.

However, concerns arose after Rita Mercier said her vote to cut funding for the position was personal — she wanted Sheehan removed. That prompted Milinazzo to question whether the council had violated Mass. General Law Chapter 43, Section 107.

Now, this is somewhat about Wally Bayliss. We should not worry for Wally. He has lawyer friends that have offered pro bono services. On WCAP, Wally gloated that “8 local lawyers” had his back. So, when you hear the hand wringing about the burden on Wally to challenge the City, in Court, pay no heed. It’s kabuki. No more.

What is really more important to the broad spectrum of Lowellians, or should be, is Councilor Mercier playing loosey goosey with the Charter. Her brashness and disregard for the Oath she took, places the City at risk.

Rita did take an Oath, y’know. You can see and hear her take it, along with her peers, HERE. (Go to the 9:25 mark.)

Here is a screen grab, of the moment. I outlined Rita for you.

It doesn’t look like she has her fingers crossed, behind her back.

The City Council session discussing the Bayliss Pact, between 2:11:12 - 2:53:30.

Your ass is in a knot over welfare fraud. (Yes. I do listen.) And, you are a proponent of the big government intrusion of mandating citizens present photo identification when they go to exercise control over government, via ballots. As social engineering is an incrementalist’s game, whether progressive or classic liberal, you should be happy as a clam to hear this:

From the Boston Dead Tree Rag:

It’s time to slap photos on EBT cards and crank up oversight of the state’s “broken” welfare system before more dead people can collect benefits, an incensed House Speaker Robert DeLeo told the Herald yesterday.

“Why do we have to let the wound fester? We have to stop this fraud, and we have to stop it now,” DeLeo said, adding he was “appalled” by a state audit released Tuesday that showed $2.4 million paid to more than 1,100 dead people and $27 million to live recipients collecting EBT benefits out of state, including in Alaska and Hawaii.

DeLeo said House proposals to put photos on EBT cards, create a Bureau of Program Integrity and allow the Inspector General to monitor the embattled agency “are needed now more than ever,” and promises by the Patrick administration that they are addressing the problems aren’t enough.

No?

For sure, if EBT cards are printed with a photo id of the benefit holder, an idea I fully support; then this will be a valid id. Thus, should the photo id intrusion into our ballot system of checks and balances move forward, those of us guarding against voter suppression will be partially relieved.

I love ‘checks and balances.’ It’s the wisest creation of The Founders.

Update: David Bernstein, of Boston Magazine, did a nice job sorting through the spin factor around the Auditor’s report. Such revelations will not help Teddy regain his composure. Maybe, it will help you, as it did me. Please proceed below the fold for an outtake.

Clearly the administration side feels that Bump fed a false media narrative of massive ongoing waste and abuse justifying various legislative reforms. I think to some extent they have a point; the likely over-reaction of press and pols was easily predictable, and I think Bump’s team could have tried to mitigate that by taking more care in the presentation of the findings, which in some cases I think were not as qualified as they could have been. I would have liked to see some benchmarking of how other, similar agencies fare, and perhaps a little less emphasis on theoretical monetary losses that, while common and worthwhile in an audit of this type, are not partciularly relevant or justifiable. I don’t agree with those who have accused Bump of grandstanding, but I do think that the report and press release, and some of her public statements, overstated some points or left out useful caveats.

But, that said, the reality is that no matter how Bump wrote it or talked about it, many in the rabid right and the hyperventilating media were going to squawk about dead people receiving benefits, and scream for overreacting measures. They always do that. It’s not really Bump’s job to pre-overreact to predictable overreaction. It’s certainly not her job to help roll the audit out in a way that tells the administration’s preferred narrative of recent progress. Her office underwent, for two years, an important audit of the controls and data integrity at a major handler of public moneys, and reported the (again, essentially unsurprising and unoriginal) results.