« Backtalk 09/27/2007 | Main | Backtalk 09/28/2007 »

September 27, 2007

Consistency required

Have no doubt -- the controversy about allowing a political fundraiser to be held at Lowell Memorial Auditorium is not over. The 3-1 vote taken this week by trustees to allow one, and only one, such fundraiser is precedent-setting and, at some point, will be challenged.

And how can trustees fairly deny the next request for a political fundraiser after allowing Niki Tsongas' congressional campaign to hold just such an event featuring former President Bill Clinton?

If, for example, Republican congressional candidate Jim Ogonowski gets Rudy Giuliani to speak at a fundraiser, shouldn't the trustees allow it to be held at the Auditorium? It would be inconsistent -- and possibly viewed by some as partisan -- to reject an Ogonowski request after approving the one from Tsongas.

The Board of Trustees has had an unwritten policy banning political fundraising at the municipal auditorium. Historically, such requests have always been rejected. Until now.

Even former U.S. Rep. -- now UMass Lowell Chancellor -- Marty Meehan was denied when he sought to hold a 50th birthday party and fundraiser at the auditorium last year.
We recognize that the building is a memorial to veterans; however, we can't see the harm in holding a political event in the building when the World Wrestling Federation is allowed to perform there. Certainly, having the former commander in chief speak at the auditorium brings greater honor to the building and to veterans than orchestrated wrestling matches.

Trustee William Taupier made a point of saying his concern has nothing to do with the Tsongas campaign or with Clinton as a speaker. It is about fundraising.

We can understand trustees' concerns about money being raised to support political candidates. Some of those candidates may not support causes or stances that are near and dear to veterans' hearts.

However, with permission having been granted to the Tsongas campaign, the trustees' long-held unwritten policy is no more. It is simply not fair to say this will be the only political fundraiser ever held in the auditorium.

The Board of Trustees should decide such requests on a case-by-case basis, always keeping in mind the dignity of the city and the respect and honor owed to its veterans.

Posted by Admin at September 27, 2007 3:13 PM