tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11405707.post8076246456598979986..comments2023-10-24T06:48:54.181-04:00Comments on Kevin McCrea for Mayor: Last nights meetingKevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02934047220331334056noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11405707.post-44012240503800665002009-12-23T13:38:05.786-05:002009-12-23T13:38:05.786-05:00Actually, I just looked up Connolly v. School Comm...Actually, I just looked up Connolly v. School Committee of Hanover, and I had remembered a detail incorrectly: it was the superintendent of schools who convened the advisory committee in that case, not the mayor. The superintendent had the sole statutory authority to make the personnel appointment -- and the superintendent, like mayors, is not by himself subject to the OML -- hence why the court ruled that the OML did not apply to his nominating/selection committee.Michael Pahrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17866198375014800783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11405707.post-47841121574921773672009-12-23T13:19:01.112-05:002009-12-23T13:19:01.112-05:00Hi Kevin,
I actually think you're barking up ...Hi Kevin,<br /><br />I actually think you're barking up the wrong tree here with the nominating committee and the Open Meeting Law.<br /><br />I've personally been involved in an OML case with the DA's office (on the Harvard Allston and BC Task Forces), so I am quite familiar with the OML and the relevant case law.<br /><br />The obvious application of case law to the school committee nominating committee would be Connolly v. Hanover, where the court ruled that a selection committee, in place to provide a name for the mayor for superintendent of schools, was not subject to the OML. They were not subject because they were advisory to an individual elected official (the mayor) who had sole statutory authority to name the superintendent. Elected officials, by themselves, are not subject to the OML.<br /><br />The nominating committee is advising the mayor only (as far as I can tell), the mayor has the sole statutory authority to name new school committee members, and the mayor is not himself subject to the OML. So Connolly would apply to this nominating committee and tell you that it is not subject to the OML.<br /><br />Hence my conclusion: they can meet in secret, draw up their conclusions not just in meetings but also via telecons or email, can select a chair in any manner, and don't have to make minutes public (or even take them).<br /><br />Give me a ring if you disagree, I'd be interested to discuss further.<br /><br />Cheers,<br />-Mike Pahre<br />617-787-8228Michael Pahrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17866198375014800783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11405707.post-42927584950351535822009-12-23T13:03:35.245-05:002009-12-23T13:03:35.245-05:00The Boston Black Men's Leadership Group did or...The Boston Black Men's Leadership Group did organize their members and others to turn out in force at the 12/16 School Committee meeting.<br /><br />http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=207129894563Jed Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02683049320974443769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11405707.post-13746831964104502742009-12-23T12:58:30.572-05:002009-12-23T12:58:30.572-05:00I am a bit ashamed we didn't have Floonies com...I am a bit ashamed we didn't have Floonies come out and support you. We need to be in better contact. I've launched a group temporarily called "Move Boston Forward" (ha ha) that brings together Floonies and anyone else who wants to keep fighting for change. It will be an organization that builds a base for modern city gov't, not just anti-Menino.<br /><br />The organization will not be tied to any particular candidate. However, out of respect, I did run it by Michael and Sam. Sam has pledged to help any way he can. Anyway, that process took a long time.<br /><br />We have not had a meeting yet. I was thinking to wait until after the holidays to hold one, but your saga with the School Committee says to me to get this rolling ASAP.<br /><br />We do have more than 150 fans on FaceBook...<br />http://www.facebook.com/pages/Move-Boston-Forward/195181738018Jed Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02683049320974443769noreply@blogger.com