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June 27, 2006
Round One: The bloom's off Prideaux-Brune
How can Diana Prideaux-Brune, who makes $141,000 as UMass Lowell's facilities manager, which is $16,000 more than the present city manager makes, say she can't afford to live in Lowell?
That was the most stunning statement issued by any of the the three candidates interviewed last night by councilors at City Hall.
For the record, Prideaux-Brune sold her home on Wentworth Avenue in Lowell last fall, a home she had purchased in 1998 fo $68,450. She sold it for $323,000. Then she turned around and bought a home in Dracut, for $544,900. According to records at the Registry of Deeds, Prideaux-Brune plunked down $100,000 for the new home.
It's hard to conceive that she wasn't living quite well at her Wentworth Ave. home. Also, there are plenty of homes in the Lowell market worth $500,000 that couldeasily fit her salary.
So what gives?
In watching Prideau-Brune's interview last night, it became apparent to me that she did not wish to seek this job on her own. Someone put her up to it, or at least reached out to her. She is very talented in what she does - planning projects - but she hardly has the qual. What predicated her departure? Surely, it's not a question of affordability. She made a tidy profit selling her Lowell home. She could easily have reinvested here. No, there was something else that drove that decision. For someone who speaks so astutely of the value of planning good neighborhoods, it's odd that she couldn't find one to live in.
What also struck me as overbearing were the many references she made to the public-private partnerships that have shaped Lowell's successes and the priority she places on education. Certainly, these are important, but they were forced references. One reference was enough, but Prideaux-Brune kept banging away. It appeared she had been coached by certain interests to mention these points as many times as possible during her hour-long interview. It was more style than substance, particulary her reply to Councilor Bud Caulfield's question on the proposed sitting for the new University Avenue Bridge. Prideaux-Brune gave the impression she needed more time and information in order to make an informed decision. That's when Caulfield pointed out that Prideaux-Brune attended most of the meetings and had never raised a doubt about the city's plan.
If anything, I thought she'd be a good candidate for assistant schools superintendent, after listening to her promote the value of education. She didn't mention the importance of public safety until a councilor asked her about it.
But Prideaux-Brune evidently has charmed at least one councilor on paper. Councilor George Ramirez was effusive in his praise for the "cover letter" she submitted with her resume. "I've never seen a better cover letter," chortled the councilor. The repartee was a bit rehearsed, as were most of the answers given by Prideaux-Brune. I can see why she is a front-runner: certain councilors have overlooked her lack of managerial experience and are focusing on her amiability and easy-to-please style. Is that what Lowell's $280 million business operation needs? I don't think so. The rough-and-tumble politics is a factor. The culture of Lowell was set a long time ago and, whether we like it or not, it's here to stay like DNA.
As for the other candidates, Harvard Town Administrator Paul Cohen and former Dukakis administration executive Frank Keefe, each had their quality moments. Cohen impressed with his professional attitude and small-town achievements. He
Posted by JimC at June 27, 2006 10:10 AM
Comments
Am I to believe that you are saying that the key ingredient for a Lowell City Manager should be the ability to help foster a "rough-and-tumble politics"?
Geeeez, Jim. You'd be totally bored if Lowell was successful AND didn't have needless political turmoil, eh? Got to have some good useless fighting to keep things lively for your newspaper?
I would hope that the Lowell councillors make a choice that is best for Lowell and not for The Sun. God forbid that Lowell run as smoothly as the same City Manager/City Council type of government as Cambridge... the same model of government. that Lowell follows.
Posted by: Dr. No at July 6, 2006 3:41 AM
Dr. No, you must be a schoolteacher because you can't spell and you don't comprehend. But your opinions are priceless. Keep them coming..For the record, on the morning after Bernie Lynch's interview beforre the council, I wrote a blog saying that he was the best candidate for the job. On Thursday night, the day before the council's vote to select a new manager, I wrote in a new posting that a majority of the council had abandoned Diana Prideaux Brune and moving toward Bernie Lynch. The Sun's editorial on the day prior to the vote also suggested clearly that Bernie Lynch was the best choice of the candidates interviewed. I still believe a majority of the council had every intention of wiring the selection process for Prideaux-Brune until The Sun gave them pause for the way members were handling the process. Bernie's top-notch performance clinched it thereafter. In The Column in Sunday's newspaper it was clearly pointed out what transpired. So, Dr. No, you're a couple days late and a manager-decision short.
Posted by: jim campanini at July 6, 2006 7:47 AM
Wrong again, Jimmy. I'm not a teacher. But that was real nice how you reduce our argument to a general bit defamation on all teachers by claiming they can't comprehend or spell. You are a swell guy.
Posted by: Dr. No at July 10, 2006 8:50 PM
