Selectmen George Malliaros and Joe DiRocco

The election has barely begun, with nomination papers finally due back on Monday, while many believe the first play in the game occurred in last weeks Board of Selectmen’s meeting.

Those poltically inclined in town see the move by Selectman John Zimini to be a distraction move. Set off an explosion in one direction to distract from what is happening in another.

An article in Thursday’s paper picked up on the issue, and showed the extreme bitterness on the Board of Selectmen between John Zimini and the rest of the board.

Today’s Lowell Sun political gossip column ties the issue to Brian Bond, candidate for Selectman in the May election, and emphasizes the close relationship between Bond and Zimini.

Consider that Zimini is a strong supporter of Brian Bond, who is challenging Malliaros and Selectman James O’Loughlin in the May election.

Zimini and Bond, who share coffee and pastry almost every Saturday morning as part of “The Coffee Klatch,” have been joined at the hip since the town was trying to buy Canney Farm from Lowell developer and former City Councilor Alan Kazanjian.

You have to wonder, if this issue was really not a political campaign issue, why didn’t Bond or Zimini, or Roger Daigle  or anyone else who keeps complaining about the health care insurance benefit just put a motion on the Town Meeting Warrant last spring.. or last fall?

Chelmsford has already done so and gotten it passed, the wording of a warrant article could just be copied from there.  During the fall Town Meeting, the issue would have been outside the election period and probably gone through calmly and with little controversy.

And those who watch town politics also caught the discussion this week of the events occuring at the Finance Committee meeting.

When Town Manager Dennis Piendak actually loses his cool, responding angrily “are you calling me a liar?,” you have to wonder just what the fincom is up to as well. A usually gentle, quiet, and decidedly unpolitical professional.. it just makes you wonder.

I guess the Column said it best:

“Nobody, but nobody in this town does anyting that is not politically motivated.”

By John Collins and Robert Mills, Sun Staff
DRACUT — The stipend-stopper was stymied.

Selectman John Zimini’s motions to get the five-member board to stop accepting its yearly $2,000 stipends and $934 gas allowances failed at Tuesday night’s meeting for lack of a second.

The other four selectmen labeled Zimini’s action a transparent “political ploy” to make them look bad.

“I find it highly insulting that somebody makes an issue of this,” said board Chairman George Malliaros. “If you expect people to become selectmen for nothing, you’re going to be disappointed in the quality of the candidates you get for the office.”

Selectman Joe DiRocco said, “John Zimini is not going to tell the rest of the board what they are or are not going to do. If he feels so strongly, then he should just turn his (stipend) back in as an individual.”

Malliaros and DiRocco claim Zimini wants to paint the board as selfish to boost the campaign of selectman-candidate Brian Bond, whom Zimini is publicly endorsing over incumbents Malliaros and Selectman James O’Loughlin in the May 3 election.

“Hopefully, people can see through John Zimini,” said DiRocco.

Zimini said there’s nothing “political” about forgoing stipends as a both a practical and symbolic demonstration of leadership in difficult economic times.

“When is it ever a bad thing to be protecting the taxpayer?” Zimini asked a Sun reporter yesterday. “When did it become ‘political’ to say to your town employees who have gone without raises, or taxpayers who are struggling to make ends meet every day, ‘We know what you’re going through?’

Added Zimini, “To me, that $2,900 stipend is not that important. Maybe it is to Mr. Malliaros.”

Malliaros said those towns that don’t pay stipends cannot expect to get “qualified candidates” to serve — as other area towns recognize.

“In checking other towns, I’ve found that Tewksbury’s selectmen chairman is paid $5,000 and the other members get $4,000,” said Malliaros, a 31-year practicing attorney, who is not bashful about stating the professional expertise he brings to the position.

“Personally, I can point out $50,000 in the last three years that I’ve sacrificed due to a possible conflict of interest with my work as a selectman,” he said.

Zimini called Malliaros’ stance on stipends “baloney.”

“So you’re telling me the only reason Mr. Malliaros is there is because of the stipend? That’s ridiculous,” Zimini said.

“Quality people get involved in community service every day that don’t get paid,” he added. “Do we have less-quality people running our baseball leagues because they don’t get paid, or Planning Board? They are the epitome of public service because they don’t get paid. And that’s what we should be doing on our Board of Selectmen, taking the lead by saying we won’t take the $3,000.”

Selectman Bob Cox was chagrined Tuesday that the board didn’t adopt his compromise on the stipend issue.

“My suggestion was to suspend it, rather than eliminate it so it didn’t affect future boards,” said Cox, who believes the stipend is justified.

“We don’t even know if the state cut in local aid that’s been assumed will come through. If the need comes down, and there is a requirement to do something drastic, OK, fine,” Cox added. “But for (Zimini) to just make a random statement to grab headlines doesn’t seem right or fair to me.”

Zimini said he intends to bring the stipend to a vote on the floor of Town Meeting in June. He is angered by the other board members’ criticism that he is simply “grandstanding” and doesn’t truly care about the taxpayers.

“The reason people don’t get involved in politics is because of the political tactics these gentlemen spew,” said Zimini. “They make everything personal. Well, they picked on the wrong guy because I’m going to do what I think is right for the town.”

O’Loughlin could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Tyngsboro is among a few Massachusetts towns that have suspended stipends for selectmen. Beginning in 2005 and continuing through 2010, Tyngsboro selectmen, citing their respect for the taxpayers’ struggles in a poor economy, have renewed their decision not to accept a $1,200 yearly stipend that was paid to each board member in previous years, Tyngsboro board Chairman Rich Lemoine said.

In Lowell, city councilors receive $15,000 yearly (the mayor, $19,000) and School Committee members, $6,000.

John Collins can be reached at jcollins@lowellsun.com. Robert Mills can be reached at rmills@lowellsun.com.

Read more: http://www.lowellsun.com/ci_14662469?IADID=Search-www.lowellsun.com-www.lowellsun.com#ixzz0i9WT5mvC

Could there be anthing to Dracut Selectmen Chairman George Malliaros’ contention that fellow Selectman John Zimini has an ulterior motive for wanting to do away with yearly stipends and controversial gas allowances?

Consider that Zimini is a strong supporter of Brian Bond, who is challenging Malliaros and Selectman James O’Loughlin in the May election.

Zimini and Bond, who share coffee and pastry almost every Saturday morning as part of “The Coffee Klatch,” have been joined at the hip since the town was trying to buy Canney Farm from Lowell developer and former City Councilor Alan Kazanjian. Remember, also, that O’Loughlin kept up the constant refrain that the town was paying too much for the property.

Bond also tried to make stipends an issue last year in his failed bid to unseat Joe DiRocco.

Bond argued that the annual stipend allows selectmen to enroll in the town’s health insurance plan. DiRocco is on the town’s health-insurance rolls because he is a retired fire chief for the town. Malliaros, a local attorney, takes the town health insurances, as does Selectman Robert Cox. O’Loughlin, who works for the state Lottery Commission, does not.

For much of 2008 and 2009, when Zimini was unemployed, he was enrolled in the town’s health plan through his wife, Kristin, a paraprofessional with the School Department. Zimini landed a state job late last year.

Never at a loss for words, O’Loughlin has been silent on this one.

Noted one longtime observer of Dracut politics last week, when the stipend issue made the headlines: “Nobody, but nobody in this town does anyting that is not politically motivated.”

I’ve been on the phone a lot today (Thursdays are quiet days..) catching up with people and getting some feedback on this weeks posts.

I should first apologize, When I mentioned that Mike Miles donates his stipend to scholarships for at-risk youth, I should also have mentioned that Dr Mike McNamara donates his stipend to the Dracut Scholarship Foundation in the form of a Memorial Fund in the name of his brother Dennis McNamara. I knew that, but forgot to mention it. Sorry bout that Mike.

Selectman John Zimini

During discussions with them this week, each of these school committee candidates have committed to continue this practice as well if re-elected. After the 15th, when we know who the final challengers are, we’ll have to ask them the same question.

I later spoke with Selectman John Zimini as well. We had a good half hour discussion that got some issues out on both our parts.

John is adamant that the statement that he proposed doubling the Selectmen’s stipend was “a fabrication, a total lie.”

I went back and checked with my original sources (there were three who each individually told this to me) and they have repeated it.. and I understand at least one has told the same to a Lowell Sun reporter as well. I guess a story is on its way after all regarding the Tuesday Selectmen’s meeting.

During our discussion, we got into how we as individuals choose to support candidates.

John said that “I want to support and get people in who are independent thinkers, not accountable to any of us, and not controlled by anybody.”

Funny that, I hear almost the exact quote from the people on the “other side” all the time.

And I think both sides truly believe it.

Pete Wilde, local business owner, is hosting what he he calls an “Old Style Family Barn Dance” in support of his candidacy for Selectman.

The party will be held at the Acacia Club at 247 Sladen Road on March 27th starting at 1:00 p.m.

Pete wants to invite everyone to attend. A donation of $10.00 is appreciated (Seniors and children under 16 are free).

This will be a non-alcohol event, with music and fun for all.

Today’s news is that Scott Middlemus, a Groton teacher (from what I can find) has taken out nomination papers to join the race for School Committee.

This gives us two challengers in the School Committee race, with him joining May Paquette, to the two incumbents Mike Miles and Mike McNamara.

I was notified today of a campaign party for incumbent George Malliaros being held later this month at the American Legion, on March 19th, from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m.

I’ll put up a reminder closer to that time period as well.

Don’t forget the events this Sunday as well for Mike Miles and Mike McNamara (I’ll repost those tomorrow as well).

When somebody shows up at an organizational campaign meeting, it’s usually a safe bet that the person is there to offer you their support. You’ld think, right?

So when Marietta Paquette attended Mike McNamara’s organizational meeting last Sunday night at Coyle’s Tavern, it was assumed that the former Dracut School Committee member was in his corner. That is, until Monday morning when Paquette went to Town Hall and obtained nomination papers for one of the two seats on the School Committee. McNamara was appointed to the seat last February to replace Mary Gail Martin, who moved out of town, and was elected in May to finish out the term. He is running for his first full three-year term along with incumbent Mike Miles, who is running for his second term.

McNamara said Paquette notified him of her intentions via e-mail on Monday morning.

“I have no problem with May if she wants to run, ” McNamara told The Column, adding that she probably attended the previous night’s because she helped out with his campaign last year and was on the invitation list. “Maybe she heard what I had to say on Sunday night and was inspired to run.”

Paquette, who served on the committee for nine years and wound up out of the running three years ago when she was challenged by Martin and Miles, said she was still torn going into McNamara’s meeting last week.

“I honestly had not made up my mind at that point,” Paquette told The Column. “But I heard the names of several other potential candidates that night and between then and the following morning, I decided I would do it.”

The the Lowell Sun political gossip column this morning, we hear the story once again.

I heard from a number of sources in the last couple days that May Paquette attended the organizational/planning meeting that Mike McNamara held last week to plan out his campaign.

The next morning, she went to the town hall and pulled nomination papers for herself.

So when Marietta Paquette attended Mike McNamara’s organizational meeting last Sunday night at Coyle’s Tavern, it was assumed that the former Dracut School Committee member was in his corner. That is, until Monday morning when Paquette went to Town Hall and obtained nomination papers for one of the two seats on the School Committee.

I understand that others from that meeting were livid. From the article in the paper, McNamara seems to be taking it well. Why do I think there’s probably more to it than what was written.