>>Valley Patriot>>
|
*VALLEY PATRIOT EDITORIAL*
We Miss the Old Patrick BLanchette
(03/06/07)
When Lawrence City Council
President Patrick Blanchette first took office, he was
honestly interested in making a positive difference in
the city. He asked fair questions, exposed wasteful
spending, looked at each issue objectively, advocated for
better relations with both the mayors office and
the public, and fought for his constituents regardless of
their local political leanings.
But today we have a different Patrick Blanchette.
Since becoming council president, Blanchette now spends
most of his time interfering with the executive functions
of the mayor. He shamelessly slanders city workers,
drives department heads out of their jobs, uses the
public forum of City Council meetings to threaten and
embarrass political enemies, and makes excuses for his
political friends and allies no matter what their
transgression.
Were not sure exactly what happened to the once
promising Blanchette over the last few years. Formerly
the peacemaker when disagreements and conflicts arose in
the city, he is now the single biggest cause of such
conflicts as he abuses his presidency to get even with
councilors who oppose him. He also misleads the public
about proposals he disagrees with.
In short, Blanchette is clearly out of control. He has
not only made disrespectful and uncivil personal attacks
at the council table acceptable, but has, leading by
example, allowed this kind of abuse of power to become
the norm among other councilors at public meetings.
We want the old Patrick Blanchette back! The one who was
easy to get along with. The one who wasnt trying to
manipulate every situation and put a spin on every issue.
The one who didnt have a political answer for
everything. The one who wasnt looking for special
favors. The one who didnt see hidden motives in
everyone he spoke to. We liked the Patrick Blanchette who
would pick up the phone and work with people behind the
scenes to smooth over political difficulties in order to
get something accomplished for the city. We liked that
Patrick Blanchette because that Patrick Blanchette was
motivated by what was truly best for the city of
Lawrence, not what was best for his own political future.
Whatever the reasons for his political transformation, we
say it is time that Blanchette revert to past form or
step down as council president and go back to the basics
of being a district councilor. Perhaps stepping away from
the enormous burden of the council presidency at such a
young age will re-align his moral compass and clarify his
political thinking. So that some day, a smarter, wiser
and better prepared Patrick Blanchette can lead the city
of Lawrence in a positive direction.
One thing is clear. As long as Blanchette continues to
wage political war from the council table against all
those who oppose him (or those seen as political
threats), the rest of the council will follow such
destructive behavior. We say the council presidents
chair should be reserved for those who can put aside
personal vendettas to lead the council and, by extension,
the city, in search of a positive direction.
*Send your questions comments to ValleyPatriot@aol.com
The March 2007 Edition
of the Valley Patriot
The Valley Patriot is a Monthly
Publication.
All Contents (C) 2007, Valley Patriot, Inc.
We publish 12,000 newspapers and distribute in Andover,
North Andover,
Methuen, Haverhill, Chelmsford, Georgetown, Groveland,
Boxford, Amesbury,
Lawrence, Dracut, Tewksbury, MERRIMACK, Hampton &
Salisbury Beach, and Lowell.
|
Valley Patriot Archive
Valley Patriot Story
ARCHIVES
Prior Lead
Stories
Prior
Valley Patriot Editorials
Prior Columns by ...
Tom Duggan
Dr. Chuck
Ormsby
Paula
Porten
Ralph
Wilbur
Hanna
Ted Tripp
Valley
Patriot of the Month
Griselsilva.com
Patrick
Blanchette
D.J.
Beauregard
Jim
Cassidy
D.J. Deeb
Marcos
Devers
Bob
Desmarais
Regina
Faticanti
Jim
Fiorentini
Bill Kelly
Wilfredo
Laboy
Peter
Larocque
Vilma Lora
Ed Maguire
Billy
Manzi
Paul
Murano
Mark
Palermo
Hartley
Pleshaw
Debbie
Quinn
Raise Em
Right
Dr. Peary
Kathleen
Corey Rahme
Barney
Reilly
Angel
Rivera
Jim Rurak
Grisel
Silva
Mike
Sullivan
Sandra
Stotsky
Mike
Sweeney
Ken Willette
Scott Wood
Jim
Xenakis
|