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March 3, 2008

Mercier hiring item was cheap gossip

Mercier hiring item was cheap gossip
The Lowell Sun
Article Last Updated: 03/02/2008 06:37:31 AM EST

The Sun recently published a Sunday Column item questioning the hiring of Ron Mercier as an operator in training at the Lowell Water Department. The article seemed to suggest that his hiring was influenced by his grandfather, City Councilor Armand Mercier, a charge that is denied by both Merciers, Executive Director Dan Lahiff and City Manager Bernie Lynch. The article is also quite misleading. Its first sentence states: "Another nationwide search ends in a Merrimack Valley community's backyard."

Unlike a school superintendent, police chief or city manager, this is a relatively low-paying position. The job requires working overnight on the weekends. It is unlikely that anyone outside of driving distance to Lowell would relocate for an entry-level position, which makes the first sentence seem needlessly inflammatory.

The article also references "dark rumors" that a back-room deal was made between Councilor Mercier and City Manager Lynch, involving the proposed Division of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. In the same paragraph, however, the writer says Mercier had always supported the measure.

The most interesting aspect of the situation is the editorial in The Sun the next day, which excoriates The New York Times for running an "innuendo-laced" article about John McCain and his "supposed" relationship with a lobbyist. The editorial also notes the Times "journalistic ethical breach" in printing the article even though "not a single fact was published
backing up the allegation." That sounds awfully similar to a certain article in The Sun, which referenced "dark rumors" as its only apparent evidence of wrongdoing. Unless The Sun has evidence showing that a more qualified candidate was passed over for Ron Mercier, the article is nothing more than cheap gossip, which casts aspersions on the character of everyone involved.
The Sun is right to criticize the Times for running glorified gossip as news, they should be careful not to sink to the same level.

BENJAMIN CHAPUT

Lowell

Editor's note: The Sun published both sides of the Mercier story so readers can draw their own conclusions, but the underlying message as to whether this hiring was a quid pro quo remains relevant in light of its timing of the hiring and a key council vote. Mr Chaput makes a valid point, however. The Sun should have checked to see how many Lowellians were passed over for the $31,000 a year job in favor of a Dracut resident who is the grandson of a city councilor.

Posted by Admin at March 3, 2008 12:01 PM