To elaborate…I think any momentum Worcester now has would grind to a halt until developers see how a strong mayor vote drive plays out.
I would like to see an interim CM put in place and conduct a nationwide search for the next CM. With everything happening in Worcester, I would think it would be a very lucrative opportunity that should attract a wide range of very experienced managers.
If you are an outsider looking at the city you have to ask, who is in charge? Is it the City Manager? The Mayor? The City Council? In Boston you always know it is White, Flynn, Menino, Walsh and now Wu. Providence you had Cianci, say what you want he made something of Providence. The second largest city in New England needs someone in charge that can articulate a vision for the city and act on it. Worcester needs a face, a person in charge, someone who believes in Worcester and will carry out an agenda to move the city forward.
Any outside CM candidate knows the ropes of the plan E form of government. Any developer is aware of the city hall hierarchy as well. And yes the CM can be fired at any time by the city council ala Tom Hoover when Tim Murray & others wanted to install Mike O’Brien.
We’ve had 6 CMs since Plan E was adopted. How many mayors have the other cities had in the same period? Not all of them were as successful as others.
As for Cianci, yes he took Providence kicking and screaming onto the national stage but at what price? It was a corrupt administration. In fact not much has gone on in Providence since. The iconic “Superman” building has been vacant for years with no takers.
Mayors are beholden to the constituents who got them elected. CMs are the CEOs of a city who don’t have to worry about the next election cycle.
Anonymous said…
A strong mayor would be a disaster for a place like Worcester. The low voter turnout alone guarantees that you get corrupt machine politics and zombies in power that never leave (The same mayor and the circle around the mayor, the same city contractors, the same players, and then their kids take over).
A CM can be fired regardless of how the low voter turnout can be manipulated by politicians. There is a balance between a professional administration and pure politically minded people.
So the City Manager takes the lead from the City Council. The manager does not set the agenda for the city. The mayor is the chair of the city council meetings, and the school committee. Nobody is in charge. Nobody is leading. The city is a rudderless ship. Time for a strong mayor. The reason why we have plan E is because the WASPS didn’t want the Irish running the city. They wanted to pull the strings behind the scenes. Look where that got us.
Yes it’s gotten Worcester being the fastest growing large city in New England and developers lining up at the door. Worcester’s now at his highest population in the city’s history.
Worcester has grown because the Boston area has become unaffordable. Worcester’s success should not be based on getting the scraps from Boston.
Anonymous said…
population growth is one metric of success and in that case Worcester has been successful in that over the last ten years its population has grown. In context it has grown because people have been priced out of the Boston and metro west markets. It has also grown because of it's central location not only in Massachusetts but New England combined with it extensive road, and hopefully soon rail network. And finally it has grown because of the sheer volume of underutilized buildings that could be converted to apartments.
Anonymous said…
The outsize influence of the UMass institutions (and tto a much lesser extent, local colleges) being sited in Worcester cannot be overstated in explaining the growth of the city and surrounding towns.
Without UMass, Worcester would be Woonsocket.
Anonymous said…
I don't know how true this statement is but I have been told that the "professionals" at UMass, the doctors and high price administrators live in Shrewsbury, Northboro, Southboro etc. and the support staff and residents live in the City. If this is true UMass would have more of a positive financial effect on the suburbs than the City.
Anonymous said…
In Eric we Trust?????
Anonymous said…
My UMass comment was the amount of jobs and research provided. Plenty of th docs do live in the nearby suburbs but spend a ton of money in the city. Drop into Volturno, Dead Horse Hill Cafe or The Sole Proprietor and you will see them.
They also buy tires, get their breaks done, cars inspected etc etc etc.
Anonymous said…
How would I recognize them as doctors? Do they wear their lab coats when they go out to eat?
Anonymous said…
UMass is by far the City's largest employer and having it in the City is a great benefit on multiple levels, medical services,jobs etc. It continues to grow in Worcester and the region. Now how do we bring more catalysts like UMass to the City that provide services to the residents as well as good paying jobs. That is what the City needs to focus on. Worcester' has benefitted in the housing market because of its central location in the state but the City needs employment opportunities for those who have moved to the City.
Anonymous said…
I recognize the doctors out in the city because I know a bunch of them.
Comments
I would like to see an interim CM put in place and conduct a nationwide search for the next CM. With everything happening in Worcester, I would think it would be a very lucrative opportunity that should attract a wide range of very experienced managers.
We’ve had 6 CMs since Plan E was adopted. How many mayors have the other cities had in the same period? Not all of them were as successful as others.
As for Cianci, yes he took Providence kicking and screaming onto the national stage but at what price? It was a corrupt administration. In fact not much has gone on in Providence since. The iconic “Superman” building has been vacant for years with no takers.
Mayors are beholden to the constituents who got them elected. CMs are the CEOs of a city who don’t have to worry about the next election cycle.
A CM can be fired regardless of how the low voter turnout can be manipulated by politicians. There is a balance between a professional administration and pure politically minded people.
Without UMass, Worcester would be Woonsocket.
They also buy tires, get their breaks done, cars inspected etc etc etc.