Does Lowell have a leadership void?

Jim I think a better question would be, was John Cox truly the right person for the City Manager position with the form of Government the city uses?

We have a Mayor and his position is perfectly understandable. But then we elect these professional political wanna-be’s or City Councilors to over see the choices for the city. They in turn hired a professional Politician like John Cox to run the day to day business of the City. It’s no wonder the City Council and John Cox butted heads. Half of them want to be him and the rest despise him. What did we really expect would happen?

Furthermore, if you look back at the timeline John Cox might have gotten a little to comfortable with his position of City Manager. All these issues with rejuvenation plan and school rooms didn’t take place until after the election. And John thought he had it tough with Dick Howe.

John Cox should move on to a city which could truly use his Political clout. It would be good to see John Cox move on to a city where his Political leadership can be envisioned and displayed. A city like Lawrence that could truly use his experience!

T-Dog, you make several good observations about Cox's political management style and his stormy relationship with a council bent on being in the spotlight. The Plan E government was good for Cox and the council during the first three years, but turned sour after that. The council gave him the authority to do things and then Cox overwhelmed the council and put them in his shadow. Of course, you shouldn't do that to your bosses.. Ultimately, the election changed the dynamics and Cox's time was up. But this council, while consisting of several attorneys and educated people, hasn't really shown me anything yet except how unified they can be in getting rid of a popular city manager. They haven't solved a single problem. In fact, they botched the new zoning ordinance that allowed developers to find loopholes all over the city. And who gets blamed? Cox and his cronies. They should put mirrors in the City Hall cloak room.
I wish Bernie Lynch can rescue this bunch from themselves. As for Cox going to Lawrence or another city, that's out of the question. He lives in Lowell, loves Lowell and will make a living as an attorrney/lobbyist for the time being.
But getting back to the leadership void in Lowell, I do believe there is one. and I'm not saying Cox was a leader like Paul Tsongas was, but he was visible and could get things done. I don't see Bernie Lynch, who is a professional manager, trying to fill that void. He'll be concentrating on what he does best: running day to day operations and keeping his eye on the fiscal books. We need a visionary, someone who can bring people to the table to make decisions without creating factions and friction. Get any ideas?

Jimmy C, you are correct that Lynch will be a professional manager and will largely avoid politics or butting heads with the Council or creating any major policy. This is the way he is and it has served Chelmsford and himself well.

Plus, after the treatment Cox took for trying to be a leader, you can be sure that Lynch will have very little inclination to follow Cox's example!

Jim you’re absolutely right, The City of Lowell does need some NEW quality leadership!
We need someone who is larger than life and instantly demands attention from his or her presence. A special certain someone who has a vision of what Lowell should be today, and a dream of where Lowell should be in the future. A person with real leadership qualities, a firm Handshake, and most importantly is great speaker. All qualities John Cox has, or should I say had.

Makes you wonder if this new leadership is going to come from the Private sector or from City Hall?

Because honestly I’m looking at the roster at City Hall and I’m not really seeing it. I mean Bud Caulfield could be that person if he stopped thanking everyone and their mother. Armand Mercier could be that person but didn’t he already have his turn. And well Rita is just Rita, gotta love her.

Can you think of anyone else who could come from the shadows of City Hall and lead?

Also makes me wonder If Bill Martin wants to be this person with his actions against John Cox? But damn he just took the wrong route; hopefully he can redeem himself in the eyes of Cox supporters.

T-Dog, I don't see any one individual who has the creative talent and inspiration of a Paul Tsongas in City Hall. Granted, Tsongas was a once in a lifetime visionary. That doesn't mean there aren't people around in City Hall who can't emerge over time. I think a nucleus for delivering good services is there. Matt Coggins, T.J. McCarthy, Adam Bakke, Christine O'Connor and several others all have the commitment to keep things moving ahead. I think several business people at the Lowell Plan have the makings to step up, but the question is whether they can make that single-minded commitment . I was very impressed with the performance of JIm Conway of Courier Corp. in helping to save the Lock Monsters, now the Lowell Devils. State Sen. Steven Panagiotakos also comes to mind, as well as Congressman Marty Meehan. But they are still blossoming in their political careers. the best solution might be for Lowell to have an economic summit of all groups. The goal would be to form a city think tank to come up with a shared vision for the city and a short- and long-term strategic plan.

Jim now on to the subject of the new City Manager Bernie Lynch. With his past experiences in Chelmsford, do you think he’ll make a good City Manager?

T-Dog, I think Bernie Lynch is a very resourceful and professional town manager who will has the skill set to be successful in Lowell. If given the chance to do what he does best, run day-to-day operations and make recommendations that aren't necessairly popular, but essential to good governance,he and the council will prosper. But Bernie will face challenges. He's going from a town with a $110 million budget to one that is $281 million and depends on 80 percent reimbursement from the state. He's got more than a dozen unions to deal with, plus a School Department that is an island all to itself. Add to the mix nine councilors who all have their own special interests, and you can see why setting priorities in the manager's office could lead to a collision course. I truly believe, however, that this council wants to change the culture in Lowell and take advantange of Lynch's experience. That means that the council itself will have to restrain itself from overstepping the bounds of Plan E, which some members do on a weekly basis with their calls to department heads and other individuals. Maybe they will find it easier going through Lynch rather than Cox. But a lot will depend on how the council reacts to a change in philosophy that members themselves are pushing. Lynch will do fine if he taps into the existing talent pool that is worth keeping and bringing in some new talent he can trust. He'll need time to evaluate and make adjustments without coming across as rocking the boat. So patience and prudence are the keys to how well Bernie is accepted in Lowell. And a lot will depend on whether the council gives Bernie the latitude to go through this transition period professionally. There's that word again!

Mr. Campanini,

"The greater the difficulty, the greater the glory."

I'm not sure that applies to either John Cox or Bernie Lynch. I think you, and the others, ask too much of a City Manager.

If I recall correctly, much of Paul Tsongas's greaterst work for Lowell was accomplished when he was out of office -- between his time in the US Senate and before his Presidential run. He had the credibility and gravitas of an accomplished national statesman and he answered to no one but his own conscience. Is there a similar man or woman in Lowell today? I don't see one in the pages of the Lowell Sun or in the corridors of City Hall. Our leaders are beholden to electors, contributors, appointers and editors.

In my humble opinion, Lowell needs either new blood or old blood for inspired leadership. While Lowell's no Newark, perhaps we need someone like Mayor Corey Booker, someone who is shaking things up. Or perhaps, like Paul Tsongas, we need a past elected official or business leader to use his or her built up chits and credibility to bully and lead us into the future.

Any suggestions?

Jim some very good points. Especially like the point about the dozen Unions Lynche will have to deal with when he takes office. From what I’ve heard It’s no secret the Unions in Chelmsford are all too happy to see Lynche leave. This fact coupled with the fact that John Cox had a majority of the support from the City Unions. Do you think these Union dealings could become the hardest part of Lynches new position?

T-Dog, I think Bernie Lynch and the unions will have to go through a get-to-know-you process and hopefully the result will be a mutual trust. Lynch has nearly two decades of experience in negotiating contracts and balancing budgets. I don't think he will lack for details. The unions, however, could be difficult if they want to be, especially if the teachers' union gets better treatment than the city side. Overall, though, the city-side unions have been responsive to Lowell's fiscal woes and haven't gouged the public treasury. I would hope that relationship would continue. Unfortunately, City Manager Lynch comes in at a time when contract reform is desperately needed to reduce the cost of government and taxes. The agenda Lynch sets will have a lot to say about how aggressive a stance the unions take.

It is very difficult to believe that the six members of the city council that rallied for john's removal aren't out making plans for a different career path. Bernie Lynch seems like a great runner up, however, will walking winterfest or the folk festival ever be the same? You live in another town, and expect to run this city? personal or political, Bernie should keep his guard up, no telling what they'll come up with next.
John has done a great job for this city. It will prove impossible to fill his shoes!!

What was the deal with that John Cox Tribute Special Section of the Sun?!?! I think we can all agree that Mr. Cox was generally competent. Does that entitle him to a multi-page section of a newspaper?!? It seemed more than a little excessive to me. And, what kind of pressure were the advertisers under to take out those ridiculous ads?

Cicero, the special section was a special Sun production, just like the one we did commemorating Carole Cowan and Middlesex Community College in May. City Manager Cox has had a great career in public service and we recognized those achievements. It might shock you, but not a single advertiser had his/her arm twisted to appear in the section. All came willingly to honor JOhn Cox and his years of service and loyalty to Lowell. Cox agreed to do the section if some of the proceeds went to several charities of his choice. Lowell's flood victims will be receiving a check as will a family that recently lost its husband/father and was a friend to the Cox family.