City Elections Management

Over at Gerry Nutter's blog, Gerry Nutter's Lowell, is some information on the job description emerging for the new City Clerk.  Mr Nutter's spin on this has to do with the idea that the job is being tailored for the temporary incumbent, and to exclude the current number two, Angela Gitschier, who Mr Nutter thinks should fleet up into the position of City Clerk as the most qualified (and, it seems, because she is a Lowellian).

As an aside, I thought the idea was that the Acting (temporary) City Clerk, Mr Brian Leahey, esq, would NOT seek the office when it was opened up for applications.  Isn't that what The [Lowell] Sun reported Mayor James L. Milinazzo said?  Yes, it did.♠

Be that as it may, there is another issue, which Mr Nutter makes a high side pass on, but which is, I think, of fundamental importance.  This is the suggestion that the Elections Office might be moved under the City Clerk, and thus directly under the City Council, and away from the City Mananger. While this does not seem to be his main issue, Mr Nutter's last line in his linked to blog post does get to the core of the problem:

It does appear to be an open Conflict of Interest to have City Councilors responsible for the Supervision of Elections doesn’t it?

I think the answer is yes.  Maybe not today or tomorrow or even next year.  However, the temptation would always be there and it might be acted upon at any time.

And a good city manager can be a bulwark against unnecessary meddling by a City Council that has forgotten who it is.

I have seen a legitimate resident not get to vote due to a mixup in the Elections Office.  I would hate to see that happen more than very infrequently.

When it comes to my vote I am dubious about fixing what might not be broken.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  Remember, articles in The Sun go away after a while, to a different place.  I will not be updating their links unless I am bedridden and have read every book in the house.  And, besides, the Editor tells me the links cost money after a few weeks.  It is the new business model.