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May 15, 2007
Time to separate fact from fiction
As the City Council prepares to receive and digest City Manager Bernie Lynch's first municipal budget tonight, rumors continue to fly that last Friday Lynch demanded the resignation of DPW Commissioner Ed Walsh, an iconic-like figure and everyone's best friend.
"I know for a fact that's just what the manager did at about 3:20 last Friday afternoon," charged state Rep. Dave Nangle. "He didn't even have the decency to do it person. This guy, Ed Walsh, has forgotten more things about Lowell than Lynch will know in a lifetime"
Lynch, speaking from his City Hall office last Saturday afternoon where he was preparing the budget, said he didn't ask for Walsh's resignation.
And Lynch said today that Nangle's understanding of what happened couldn't be further from the truth.
When pressed to explain how he knows the details of what presumably was a private conversation between Walsh and Lynch, Nangle — who doesn't have the best of relationships with Lynch to begin with — was mum.
"I'm not going to get into that," said Nangle. "But you probably know where I'm coming from," said Nangle.
Walsh has said to many people across the city, including folks here at The Sun, that he was planning to work until he was 81, which would be this December.
In normal circumstances, that would be okay. But Lynch is facing a serious budget crisis and layoffs.
He asked Walsh last Friday if Walsh would consider leaving earlier than planned. Walsh, Lynch said, was amenable to the idea. "He said he'd have to check with the retirement board," Lynch said.
The two haven't spoken since — but the rumors and innuendo continue to fly
As is always the case, the truth is probably somewhere in the middle.
Walsh probably understood what Lynch said. But when he told his friends and supporters at the Mt. Pleasant Golf Club what happened — many of the same people who want to see Lynch fail — those folks interpreted it as Lynch trying to force out their beloved Ed.
Think about it, Lynch kept Assistant City Manager T.J. McCarthy — who was and probably still is attached to former manager John Cox's hip — on the city payroll all this time.
He had no reason to jettison Walsh six months early other than for budgetary concerns.
The other big rumor making the rounds is that Lynch was going to withdraw all city accounts from city's two big banks, Lowell Five and Enterprise.
He's not doing that either.
The state Department of Revenue, in its recent evaluation of city finances triggered by the mess Lynch inherited, suggested that the city consolidate more than 30 accounts currently held in more than a dozen banks.
"There were some preliminary discussions," said Lynch. "You tell me what business wouldn't consider doing such a thing."
But Lynch determined that Enterprise and Lowell Five contribute to the city in so many other ways, it would be misguided to let any possible consolidation impact those respected institutions.
Posted by Christopher Scott
Posted by jimcamp at May 15, 2007 3:08 PM
Comments
DAVE NANGLE NEEDS TO GET OVER IT !!!!
JOHNNY BOY IS GONE, AND THE CITY IS BETTER OFF
Posted by: MOONLIGHT at May 16, 2007 1:37 PM
so true moonlight.. I think its time we who are (under) represented by Nangle shoudl take a good look at him.. does he even live in the district? where? whos funding him/ what are HIS qualifications?
Posted by: belviderebob at May 16, 2007 7:32 PM
DOES MR NANGLES DISTRICT INCLUDE
SEABROOK, N.H. ??????
Posted by: MOONLIGHT at May 17, 2007 4:04 PM
John Cox is a great person, and accomplished
alot as city manager. John will continue to
be a positive force in the city of Lowell.
Dave Nangle is also doing his best to make
the city of Lowell a better place for all of
us. bill deignan
Posted by: Bill Deignan at July 6, 2007 5:25 PM
