Ranker

City council earns its ABC's -- and, in one case, an F

by Joe O'Brien

It's a new term for the Worcester City Council, complete with fresh faces and unfinished business. Dennis Irish, the UMass Memorial marketing vice-president, took over for veteran politician Tim Cooney, who just ended his 20-year reign as an at-large councilor. Local attorney Stephen Abraham also assumed the District 5 helm when councilor Jack Finnegan resigned after his first term.

Unlike past newcomers, these rookies were baptized quickly with the fatal, tragic, December 3 fire.

Indeed, every councilor was affected by the fire's magnitude, which is sure to be a constant shadow over pending city business. In its wake, councilors came together in rare solidarity, supporting not just the devastated fire department, but the six victims' families. Though council watchers hope such unity continues, they predict a rocky, potentially fractious term once councilors begin to debate a host of important issues.

Just look at this year's council list of priorities, which include the airport access road, police and firefighter hirings, and improved economic-development efforts. These, among others, are sure to provide contentious debate or, at the least, excellent political theater. Considering this, the Phoenix rates the personalities that have surfaced thus far and the issues members have worked on recently.Despite the council's work so far, there are important issues that haven't received attention. Perhaps the most significant is downtown's future. The subject has prompted repeated press conferences and ad-hoc committees, but downtown-revitalization plans advance slowly. Indeed, the Worcester Common Outlets is in grave financial trouble, failing to meet the terms of its tax deal twice. Though Worcester Business Development Corporation (WBDC) hired David Forsberg and Craig Blais -- setting off waves of hype and hope last year -- we're still waiting for a vibrant downtown.

Likewise, people are wondering whether Worcester can advance its efforts to bring Atlantic League baseball here. Though the idea holds council support, it's stymied by the stadium siting and financing talks. As the rumor grist goes, one problem is that political leaders insist the stadium be built off Shrewsbury Street, where the current Department of Public Works (DPW) yard is located. If that's true, the stadium is far from reality. Consider what it'd take to move DPW operations: a new location is sure to face neighborhood opposition and the current site could well be an environmental hazard.

And last year's banner announcement -- the Main South arts district -- looks to be foundering as well. Even though politicians and arts activists were excited about the potential of Boston-based Community Builders renovating the former Burwick building on Main Street into a district anchor, little has happened since.

Meanwhile, in the year ahead, this election season might be a bore, except, of course, for the possible challenge to state representative William McManus (D-Worcester). Local Republicans have yet to find someone to challenge the Democratic US Congressman James McGovern, or to announce challengers to nearly all of the Democratic Statehouse delegation. In one exception, the Republican Elmer Eubanks, the former director of Centro Las Americas, will run in Hudson against incumbent Democrat Patricia Walrath.

Worcester's political junkies might have to look toward city councilors for this year's entertainment. Here's a rating of business so far.

The Issue		The Spin		The Reality
Councilor Dennis Irish		B- The spin: His supporters expect big things from the freshman councilor, but Irish's kept a low profile in his first month.		B+ With his grasp of complex issues, Irish has made an impression on his colleagues. His UMass Memorial experience has already been put to use by drafting the council agenda on health care, which could include a discussion of Worcester's higher-than-state-average infant mortality. On the council commerce committee, he's focusing on the woeful state of Worcester Common Outlets, which has failed to meet its obligations under the city's tax deal. As one veteran council watcher says, "Irish is a great addition in that he only speaks when he has something important to say." He's expected to be one on the council who adopts a strong pro-business/development stand.
Councilor Stephen Abraham		D The fact that Abraham sought out an appointed, $66,000-per-year job as assistant registrar of probate court makes him look like another political hack. Such a move upsets Democrats who ushered in his successful, sudden campaign, especially since, as probate registrar, he couldn't participate in electing other city Democrats.		D Shame on Abraham for even thinking about making such a switch at this juncture of his political career (recently, he has since recinded). And it overshadows the high marks he's received thus far from colleagues. Though Mayor Raymond Mariano's organizational ties to Abraham's election prompted suspicions that he would be a staunch Mariano supporter, Abraham looks independent. "Steve is going to vote on the issues and not just vote one way because someone helped him with his phone banks," one insider promises. Abraham's moves are sure to be watched closely this fall.
Mayor Raymond Mariano		A Mariano wins praise for his articulate, passionate leadership during the fire. He captured the city, state, and nation with his now-famous "The sun did not rise today" speech, which he made immediately after the deadly fire, and which boosted his rather diminished image after several public (and, some argue, petty) feuds with District 2 Councilor Michael Perotto.		B Politicos say the loss of Cooney and Finnegan has diminished Mariano's council stronghold. Council members privately counter that Mariano's mellowed and assumed a more compromising role. Still, his banishment of insurgent At-large Councilor Tim Murray to minor committees (veterans affairs, and parking and traffic among them) proves he hasn't made amends with detractors. Don't count Mariano out, though. He continues to be Worcester's most popular, savvy politician. Which begs the question: how long will he be mayor? Talk has Mariano gearing for a run at a statewide office -- stay tuned.
The MBTA train fiasco		A The council takes an aggressive public stand with the MBTA after being snubbed by the state's Transportation Secretary, Kevin Sullivan. A Worcester Municipal Research Bureau (WMRB) study legitimizes council complaints, reporting on the state's failure to deliver mass-transit service.		A Councilors get credit for linking the airport expansion with the need for more commuter trains into Boston. The MBTA has reneged its 1997 agreement to deliver 10 trips in and out of Boston; Worcester residents deserve answers. Since the area's state delegation hasn't made headway, the council's action appears warranted.
City Manager Tom Hoover		A Since defeating the strong-mayor movement, Hoover's polished his public image with his continued WTAG radio show, not to mention with several well-publicized projects.		B Hoover enjoys an all-time high. At recent council meetings, he's smiled at his detractors' barbs, speaking instead with confidence and with authority. Even strong-mayor supporters acknowledge Hoover's victory. And council newcomers, like Abraham and Irish, insiders claim, "understand and support the role of the manager," thereby further securing Hoover's power base. Still, voters wait for Worcester's downtown to turn around.
Councilor Konstantina Lukes		B Lukes wins the public battle to assume the council's vice-chairmanship, skillfully taking the gavel at the term's first meeting.		B+ No doubt, Lukes is a model of persistence. Her brilliant strategy to run for mayor not only helped her win reelection last year, but also gave her a larger bully pulpit. Go, Konnie!
Cristino Hernandez case		D Councilors grab headlines by delaying the Hernandez settlement by arguing that residents want answers. Just a week later, Mariano and fellow councilors retreat after a wave of negative publicity.		F The council hits bottom playing politics with this sensitive issue. People have long wanted closure so the city can begin improving strained race relations. Councilors sent the wrong message to minority residents, many of whom have fumed over the city's handling of the wrongful-death case and over its refusal to acknowledge any wrongdoing. If anything, the administration deserves credit for the $400,000 settlement, which prevented a possibly catastrophic, multimillion-dollar jury award.
Abandoned-buildings task force		B+ Mariano and Hoover score points for setting up a task force after the fire.		C The effort may look good, but city leaders have known about this problem for years -- and done little to solve it. A 1997 WMRB report recommended solutions ranging from tax breaks to creative-development strategies. It was largely ignored. Now that there's considerable pressure to act, City Hall doesn't even have a plan. Besides, with over 200 vacant structures, many of which have substantial needs, the city's abandoned-building situation won't be solved without serious money.
The city's tree plan		A Michael O'Brien, the city's parks commissioner, and his five-year plan to stabilize and then improve the city's dying trees is hailed by councilors and activists alike.		B- Though the council's decimation of the city's parks-department budget in the late '80s and '90s largely is to blame for the current problem, concilors deserve praise for supporting tree improvement plans. A recent Regional Environmental Council (REC) study found that 64 percent of the city's street trees are in fair to poor conditions. Raising the parks budget to pay for more staffing and for tree planting will make a difference.
Hiring police and fire classes		B Council takes up the politically popular call to hire more police officers and firefighters after a recent crime report shows mixed public-safety results.		B- It's widely believed that both departments face dire personnel shortages. But while the council pushes for more staff, it's also talking tax cuts -- a tough act to pull off. What insiders wonder is what happened to the $100,000 fire-department study, which was expected to streamline operations. And councilors are questioning the effectiveness of the hyped community-policing initiative. If anyone deserves praise, it's Irish. He is pressing for more information on how Worcester's crime rates -- which show homicides doubled this year -- compare with similar-size cities.
Curtailing Hoover's tax deals		B- Councilors make headlines by claiming that Hoover has "given away" the city at bargain prices.		C Business and development officials tend to agree that Hoover needs authority to negotiate with new companies. The council may have correctly called for answers regarding the $1 sale of land near Union Station. But, overall, Hoover has done well. Even the free parking given to Mass. College of Pharmacy for its Foster Street campus is minor compared to the development that needs to start in Worcester's ailing downtown.

Abraham photo and firefighter photo by Louis Despres; Hernandez photo by Steven Sunshine; tree photo by Linda Benedict; illustration by Lennie Peterson