More Problems for Hanlon

The fuss surrounding Mayor Hanlon's attempt to force out two members of the Everett Housing Authority Board could now cause problems for him with another Board whose members were removed by Mr. Hanlon. The Mayor also removed members of the Planning Board in the weeks since taking office. There's only one little problem -- the city ordinances. This is what we found:

Section 2-192. Removal of members; filling vacancies. Any member of the planning board may be removed for cause, after a public hearing, by the mayor, with the approval of the city council. A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as in the case of an original appointment. (Rev. Ords. 1976, Pt. 2, Ch. 2, § 57)

It seems pretty cut and dried that there should have been a public hearing to establish "cause," - and you can bet that "I don't know them and I don't trust them," will NOT be a good enough excuse. The very Nixonian response by Mayor Hanlon to an alderman's request for an explanation regarding the attempt to remove two members of the EHA didn't wash well with many in the city. Didn't know them? How can you say you don't trust someone that you don't even know? And how truthful is the Mayor being when he claims he "doesn't know them"? According to the family of one of the Housing Authority members, Mr. Hanlon is being disingenuous in his claims that he doesn't know at least one member -- Mr. James Camerario. A letter to the editor in today's Leader Herald describes a relationship between the Mayor and Mr. Camerario and his family that contradicts the Mayor's claim that he doesn't know Mr. Camerario, and it certainly doesn't describe a relationship of distrust. Given the described history, what would possess Mr. Hanlon to get up and make such a statement? His drive to remove these members from the Housing Authority is reminiscent of Nixon's Enemies List and the paranoia that accompanied it. The big question . . . is it Mr. Hanlon's paranoia or the paranoia of someone who has a great deal of influence over what Mr. Hanlon does.

Mr. Hanlon has troubles. He's not getting good advice, and his city solicitor is not doing his homework. The Mayor is listening to people who do not have his or the city's best interests at heart.

The start of something better? We're waiting.