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Mayor Lang whines like jilted donkey over regulatory flap |
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Written by Dave Gould
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Friday, 03 October 2008 |
NEW BEDFORD, MA, OPINON — Again Mayor Lang is demonstrating his inability to lead without taking temper tantrums of a three year old. As I have said before, Scott Lang hood-winked us all with his charm and grandfatherly approach to New Bedford Politics. His failure is epitomized by his inability to maintain peace with other New Bedford governmental bodies and to take a policy loss without whining like a jilted donkey.
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...Steve Riccardi is the same developer who conversted the old Wamsutta mill into an aprtment complex off Rt. 18 in the ugly Hick's Logan neighborhood.... This months most recent flap regards the rehabilitation of an old mill into 100 more market rate apartments by developer Steve Ricciardi. New Bedford's Zoning board of appeals denied the project for a variety of reasons and the vote wasn't even close. He lost 4-1. Few people who sit on these boards could be considered morons although you could make the case they are political yes men. The fact that Mr. Riccardi's project, Victoria Riverview, was in front of the zoning board of appeals means they have been turned down for reason before by the building department. All the zoning board did was agree with another department. Obviously, Mayor Lang has lost control of his board members for one reason or another. These board members in my estimation did nothing less than follow the laws of Massachusetts and deliver the appropriate response.Scott Lang rolled into office promising cooperation, he has instead delivered a dictatorship. The Park Board placed an informational sign somewhere they felt appropriate, Dictator Lang overrode them and did what he wanted. Dictator Lang's relationship with the council has faltered. Although he cannot remove any city councilor at will, his very public fight with John Saunders Jane Gonsalves is based in Dictator Lang's inability to work with our elected legislators. He has even gone on the radio and curtly remarked that certain councilors should continue not to be there for the good of the city; or should we say for the good of Scott Lang's personal agenda.
Both Dennis Costa, and Barry Sylvia have served New Bedford for years. Whether you agree or disagree with any of their decisions in the past is a personal point between them and those coming before them. However it is a bit rude to have these city boards begin to be properly accountable; not just rubber stamp machines, to only then have the Dictatorial Mayor of New Bedford wet his pants when a friend of his doesn't get his way. Dictator Lang is not one to follow the law. We have an unlicensed building inspector, who is the root cause of many of the fights between citizens and the various building boards. Housing 70, the illegal corporation that funnels tax payer money into a private corporation for the benefit of New Bedford's connected is still in business. Illegal Aliens are allowed to prosper under Dictator Lang's regime. He has filled many posts in government with out of town people who have no connection with the local community.
The Desrosiers of Colby Village have fought a good fight to have previously rendered bad rubber stamped decisions reversed. Dictator Lang has acted one way in public and another in private regarding the Colby Village debacle. Te same can be said for the issues on Padanaram Ave, spearheaded by long time resident Antone Amaral, regarding the special and illegal favors granted to the Glicksman properties, the Community Boating properties and others. These and other issues have caused endless problems for the various boards in New Bedford and quite frankly, the members are tired of getting beat up for passing questionable projects. I give both Dennis Costa and Barry Sylvia a high five for standing their ground. Unfortunately, Dennis Costa resigned as did the former Park board chairman Tom Viera during the Buttonwood sign flap. Dictator Lang is systematically attempting to remove all those who disagree with him.
Recently, on the WBSM radio program, Mayor Lang challenged anyone who thinks his administration is corrupt to come to his office and prove it. I went one step further asking Evan Rousseau of WBSM of host a public forum based on Mayor Lang's challenge. I never heard back. I will reissue my invitation. Mayor Lang, I invite you to a public forum based on your challenge. If you have nothing to hide, you will attend. However, I expect the same result. Nothing. The people of New Bedford deserve better. We are all saddened by your unprofessional and selfish behavior.Only registered users can write comments.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 03 October 2008 )
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