Photo Courtesy Marte Media

It’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to get some things of my chest, so without any further ado, here are 3-months’ worth of Mill City Musings:

-The top-level departures from the city’s legal team, reported on InsideLowell Social Media accounts over the past couple of weeks, constitute both a challenge and an opportunity for City Manager Tom Golden.

On the one hand, losing the Big 3 of Solicitor Christine O’Connor and her would-be replacement Kerry Jenness (less than 6-months after Elliott Veloso also departed for greener pastures) creates a gaping hole at the top of Lowell’s Law Department. On the other hand, Manager Golden can now freely re-shape a department that has not only had its share of legal setbacks in recent years, but Inside sources tell us is about to see more high-profile setbacks.

Not that I’m on the payroll, but the first piece of unsolicited (pardon the pun) advice I’d give the Manager is make a pitch to attorney Jim Hall. Hall is experienced, respected and he knows the city and its key players. You’d have to pry him away from the School Department, where he currently serves as Chief of Operations, but perhaps he’s ready for a change after representing Lowell Public Schools in contract negotiations since 2005, before also taking on COO duties in 2019. Make him an offer he can’t refuse.

For good measure, I’d remind him about the concerns raised over his pay increase in January, concerns raised by School Committee member Jackie Doherty and, wait for it, City Solicitor Christine O’Connor. Wouldn’t that be ironic?

-The City Council needs to make some changes to how it operates. First and foremost, when the agenda calls for it, work past 10pm!

That period earlier this fall where dozens of agenda items were pushed back to future meetings, only to be pushed back again and eventually rushed through or referred without discussion, is not fair to the makers of the motions or the residents who have an interest in them. Now, there are changes in the agenda that should be made to help avoid similar bottlenecks going forward (more on that in a minute), but the Councilors aren’t Cinderella and Council Chambers won’t turn back into a pumpkin when the clock strikes 10pm.

If I were a challenger in a council race, the first issue I’d harp on is that “I will work for you till the work is done.” Granted, my campaign would fail for other reasons, but this is an issue I think better candidates can make hay with.

As for changes in the agenda to help keep council meetings from devolving into constant late-night sessions; eliminate full obituary readings (a simple acknowledgment will suffice), conduct ceremonial presentations and photo ops from 6-6:30 in the Mayor’s reception room, and cut out the repetitive motions, especially those that bring out the same dozen or so people who supposedly speak for a community of 120,000 residents.

-And speaking of the so-called community voices (you know who you are), it may be time to go back and read your mission statement. I think you’ve lost sight of it.

It’s nice to advocate for things you think are important, but you do not speak for the “community” no matter how many times you tell us you do. More often than not, you are speaking for your organization’s financial or political interests, which too often these days are one and the same. And unless the matter at hand involves your tax-exempt stated mission, sit those plays out.

Lastly, here’s some charitable (pardon the pun again) advice; it’s a far better look to invite some actual members of the community to speak and not paid organizational staff who may not even live in the city.

And with that, I think I’ve irritated enough of you for one column. Did ya miss me?