Who Will It Be?

The Board of Aldermen face another decision this evening which, while it may have looked simple at first, has the potential to be yet another powder keg of an appointment process.

With the election of John Hanlon as Mayor, and his resignation as City Clerk, the Board must now appoint a new City Clerk; it's a foregone conclusion that current assistant city clerk Michael Matarazzo will assume those duties. This leaves the position of assistant city clerk to be filled, and that is the slot that could cause some "interesting" moments in the Council chamber tonight. Rumor has it that the two candidates are Ellen Carr, who has worked in the City Clerk's office for many years, and Joanne Gregory who, though unconfirmed at this writing, appears to be out as the City Treasurer once Hanlon assumes the Corner Office.

It's going to be interesting, to say the least. Logic would dictate that Ms Carr, who has the experience of having worked in the City Clerk's office, would be the hands down choice. However -- logic is a funny thing in Everett politics; a lot of times it's a non-existent thing. Will Ms. Gregory be able to call on her personal associations with any of the members of the Board to sway the vote in her direction?

Stay tuned.