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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
 Posted - 06/10/2008 : 11:09:31 AM
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It is now June 10th and we still do not have a VSO appointed. I hope this process is completed soon and the most qualified person be appointed. The mayor already stated the best qualified that he had interviewed was not a member of the Common Council. Again, we have to "wait and see."
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 06/10/2008 : 5:02:37 PM
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I made a phone call today and finally got through to someone who knows what’s going on. Everett is one of the cities, that if are not in compliance after July 1, 2008, will be hearing from Secretary Kelley. That’s when sanctions against the city will begin.
I can not believe with our time of war, the arrogance and ignorance of this administration over the veterans of our military service. They should be thanking them daily with any and all possible means available and I am not speaking of just “cutting them a check” like this administration likes to point out. Some need psychological help or just another veteran or VSO to go talk to. It put some at ease knowing there was someone there. I’m not knocking Gerri Miranda, I’m sure she does a great job but she is not a veteran and not full time status in that office which both issues are illegal having more that 12,000.00 people living in the city. It was NOT the VSO that should have been let go, especially the way it was done. The Mayor made this all about him NOT the veterans and their best interest. It was the prior Mayor whose priority was to make sure that office was up to state standards and lawfully so. He hired a very competent person and you will not find one veteran with a complaint against Walter, as a matter of fact, Walter was there for them 24/7. One’s in need had his cell phone where all told to contact him day or night even if it was just to talk.
This position was not just a paycheck to Walter or additions to his pension. But……Walter is gone now and we need to fill that position with the most competent person, and do it fast. The Mayor already stated in the Globe that the most qualified was from out of town. He should hire that person so this issue and outrage can stop. As far as hiring any member of the council, he will be in violation of state ethics law (Geeze, here we go again)
But the important issue on hiring one of them is……….Where were those three that are now vying for this position when we did not have a VSO for years? Where was the outrage by them for the best interest of the veterans? All three are elected officials and not one of them has ever made a motion as to what was going on with that office. They sure jumped on the bandwagon for their brother veteran’s job when he got tossed under a bus and never once defend him or the veterans for that matter.
None of them are competent enough to be a good VSO for our veterans.
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Edited by - Tails on 06/10/2008 5:12:51 PM |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 06/10/2008 : 5:33:59 PM
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Tails,
Did they tell you what the sanctions would be? |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 06/10/2008 : 7:57:15 PM
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| How it was explained to me that the cities and towns not in compliance after July 1, 2008 will be hearing from Secretary Kelley. Then, sanctions will start if they still do not comply. I took it as monetary sanctions however, I don’t know how much. I just said Thank you, and that was it. I have no problem calling again once July 1 hits if we are still without a VSO and they are well aware of the situation. I would also assume these monetary fines would be tax payer money??? Am I mistaken? I doubt it would come from anyone’s pocket that works in city hall, just out of the taxpayers pocket…..but that’s okay. |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 06/13/2008 : 6:08:20 PM
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I have nothing against Joe Hickey, but how many times is the State going to look the other way with all these positions having to get special permission in order for the Mayor's appointments to go forward.
The other thing that really bothers me is the Mayor said that is was someone from outside of Everett that was most qualified for the position. I thought he was only hiring the qualified, not political hacks. |
Edited by - massdee on 06/13/2008 10:57:38 PM |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 06/13/2008 : 11:11:09 PM
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After rejecting city's politics, Everett mayor in a tight spot
Email|Print|Single Page| Text size – + By Kay Lazar
Globe Staff / June 5, 2008
With six Everett residents - including three city councilors - vying to be the city's next veterans services' commissioner, Mayor Carlo DeMaria said his hiring decision, which was slated to be announced more than a month ago, has been delayed by "extenuating" factors.
more stories like this
DeMaria said he interviewed 17 candidates and decided one from outside the city was the most qualified, but then found that "everyone" he consulted said he should choose an Everett resident.
"So my whole process of trying to stick to my guns and not be political [about hiring] is political," DeMaria said in an interview Tuesday.
The councilors who've applied for the position are: Millie Cardello, Ward 1, and councilors Joseph Hickey and John "Leo" McKinnon, of Ward Four, DeMaria said.
Other local candidates for the job include a man who also is applying for a position on the city's police force and another who recently returned from service in Iraq, the mayor said.
Interest in the position stretched well beyond Everett's borders and included candidates from Billerica, Concord, and Malden.
When DeMaria took office in January, he vowed in his inauguration speech to end "government by politics."
"Gone are the days," he said, "when the city employees are hired because of their acquaintances instead of their qualifications."
As he grapples with the selection, DeMaria said the department's temporary director, Gerri Miranda, is providing great service to the city's veterans.
She is "doing a fabulous job," DeMaria said, "so I won't be rushed because the veterans are being helped."
Left unanswered is a potential conflict-of-interest issue if DeMaria selects one of the councilors.
State ethics law requires that "No councillor shall be eligible for appointment to such additional position while a member of said council or for six months thereafter." |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2008 : 4:31:00 PM
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| Does the VSO appointment have to be approved by the BOA? |
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2008 : 7:35:42 PM
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Massdee,
According to state law, they do.
You must be logged in to see this link.
The way I read that section of MGL, the common council may get to vote on that appointment too. |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2008 : 7:54:32 PM
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| I read it the same way. Thanks for the link. |
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italianmoe
Member
32 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2008 : 11:53:50 PM
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| Congratulations to Joe Hickey New VSO |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2008 : 1:43:20 PM
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Although I have nothing personal against Joe Hickey, I do have a problem the way this entire situation was handled and the legal mess that the Mayor made this out to be and didn’t have to be. If he knew all along he wanted Joe Hickey he should have informed him in January and had him resign then. Why waste the other two councilors time and post their names PUBLICLY that they applied for the position which could have possibly damaged their current positions. What is wrong with him! He used them. They both seem like good people, that was NOT right. He did not have to refer to them by name, he never named the other candidates and could have said "other elected officials" or whatever. Now they have a permanent mark on their names in this fiasco.
Now once again the City of Everett has egg on its face because we have a Mayor that thinks he is above the law and can do what he wants or he really is not the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree. He’s really starting to sound like a famous business owner from Boston Street. He must be rubbing off on him….. just a little too much.
I want to know how the Mayor will handle these laws:
You must be logged in to see this link.
268A: 21B- what’s the date that Hickey was hired and resigned from his CC post?
268A: 20- Per MGL he *must* be resigned from his CC seat for six months.
I heard yet again that the Veteran’s Office is another office the Mayor wants “consolidated” and consolidated with the fire/police even though MGL states he can not do that. He’s out of his mind and look at all these laws this man is thumbing his nose too. I swear DeMaria is Thibeault in disguise.
You must be logged in to see this link.
You must be logged in to see this link.
You must be logged in to see this link.
“DeMaria said he interviewed 17 candidates and decided one from outside the city was the most qualified, but then found that "everyone" he consulted said he should choose an Everett resident.”
So forget the most qualified for our veterans I’m gonna do what I want attitude yet again and what about the Board of Alderman? Joe Hickey (by law) is supposed to be approved by them. When will that be on the agenda?
This is my new e-mail quote:
"Gone are the days," he said, "when the city employees are hired because of their acquaintances instead of their qualifications. |
Edited by - Tails on 06/17/2008 1:52:13 PM |
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VSO
