When the city asked for lawyers interested in serving as one of its assistant corporation counsels, it received five resumes from Republican lawyers interested in the part-time position.But Edward Krawiecki, Jr, the former city attorney, wasn't one of them.Personnel Director Diane Ferguson and Mayor Art Ward confirmed this week that Krawiecki didn't apply.
That’s a major reason why Ward pulled Krawiecki's nomination for the assistant city attorney job at the last minute last month - a nomination the mayor knew the Democratic-controlled City Council would likely refuse to confirm anyway.
Ward plans to try again to fill the vacant city lawyer’s post in a few months. He said Friday he assumes Krawiecki will want the job and that he’d back him once again.
The mayor said he hopes that councilors “will see the significance” of Krawiecki’s experience in dealing with state development officials, school land purchase negotiations and other key issues facing the city.
“It’s a plus-plus for everybody” to have Krawiecki in the city attorney’s office because of his extensive background, the mayor said.
“Ed had a handle on exactly what we were doing,” Ward said.
Ward said that he has no problems with any of the five attorneys who applied for the position. “I know them all,” he said, and respect each of them.
But, he said, Krawiecki has specific knowledge of the issues the city is facing now that nobody else can match.
Last week, Ward said he'd try again in the fall to round up resumes for the job.
He said Friday that he thought Krawiecki had applied for both the city attorney’s position and the assistant city attorney’s slot last time around.
It was only after the deadline, he said, that he learned from Ferguson that Krawiecki wasn’t among the applicants.
At that point, Ward said, he showed her Krawiecki’s resume but never asked her to accept it. He also said he never intended her to consider it after the deadline passed.
“When she said he did not put in for the assistant corporation counsel’s position, it was over,” Ward said.
The push for Krawiecki to take the job is likely to lead to a showdown between Ward and the council, which has four Democrats and two Republicans, over the possible appointment of the GOP mainstay to fill the last vacancy in the legal office.
The majority Democrats have said they don’t mind picking a GOP lawyer to fill the final slot in the five-person office, but they maintain that they won’t back Krawiecki for the job.
All of them have informed the mayor they would support Tom Conlin, a Republican who once served on the Board of Finance and did apply for the post. Conlin is a legal partner in Bristol with state Rep. Bill Hamzy, a Plymouth Republican.
The legal office currently has two part-time attorneys, including Corporation Counsel Dale Clift, and two full-timers, Ann Baldwin and Richard Lacey. The other part-timer is Jeff Steeg.
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
29 comments:
A leesson in how to get along with your fellow council members whose vote you need.
Way to go SGT. Ward
Give it up ART
Maybe those with the limited vision of looking out for Bristol should take off their blinders and realize what will best help the city and back the appointment.
The mayor is the CEO of the city. He should be given a certain level of latitude in selecting advisors that he feels comfortable working with.
The argument about a demoted general impeding new direction is not relevant since Attorney Krawecki and Attorney Clift as well as the mayor stated that they would be comfortable working with each other.
Having Attorney Krawecki available for background legal advise is of critical importance for continuity.
The voters wanted elected officials that were willing to work together and cross party lines for the benefit of the people. Reappointing Attorney Krawecki is the right step in that direction!
Has Ed Kraweicki joined the Lincolnian Party?
maybe one of these city council obstructionists will gather some common sense and stand up for progress, rather than politics as usual. not likely but maybe.
Bob,
Stop trying to brown nose "Attorney Krawiecki". Honestly, you're becoming a joke.
But my opinion is that Ed's a sharp guy. Sure he had that one miss-step almost 20 years ago, but Ed K. has done much, much more than most for Bristol (for decades). I give the "Arty Party" credit for appointing this guy.
This show's that the "Arty Party" is not a partisan one, which is good. That is because the Dumb-o-crat Party is generally NOT good for the "populace" as far as economic grwoth and job creation.
"Educator" Bob: Do you have any respect for anyone without professional or pseudo-professional titles?
Simple fact is that Art is LOST and need someone like ED, not for the legal aspect, which is what the office should be about, but Art needs him just to do the job on a day to day basis.
7:43 ~ Simple fact is that even though you keep repeating it (over and over and over...), you're the only one who believes it.
Why aren't "Republican activists" like Merrick (if that title is unfair to those who serve on the GOP town committee but see themselves as "above the fray", I apologize) supporting Tom Conlin?
Tom Conlin is a Republican who, although hasn't been very active in the local Bristol GOP town committee lately, has served on it, as well has run for State Representative.
The main point pro for Conlin is apparently he actually APPLIED for the job. Do these newbie GOP people even know who he is, none the less do thay have any knowledge of his long list of accomplishments and his impressive resume? Of course he is an attorney as well.
Maybe because the republican party is disjointed, has no leadership, no direction.
And it doesn't look like it will change soon.
Anonymous said...
Maybe because the republican party is disjointed, has no leadership, no direction.
And it doesn't look like it will change soon.
July 13, 2008 8:10 PM
____________________________
Sounds like the perfect description of the Ward administration.
Artie confirmed what everyone said on this blog... he is useless without Ed when it comes to development, negotiating for land for the schools and much much more.
Isn't doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome the very definition of "insanity"?
Maybe if the RTC had some leaders last year, and now, things might be different.
Nice political spin by Art on what really happened. What a joke. Why is Ed Kraweicki any more qualified for this part time job than any of the other upstanding attorneys who actually submitted their resumes in response to the RFP?
12:43 - should try reading the whole article in order to be able to be objective rather than just trying to further your partisan ignorance.
"Isn't doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome the very definition of "insanity"?
It is...so stop repeating yourself!
Art must owe Ed a favor! Typical political crap.
Art can't get anything from the dems in Htfd: he is hoping that Ed will intervene with Hamzy and Rell.
2:07pm = what did you say?
Does the guy WANT THE JOB OR NOT?
If he wants the job he should apply along with everyone else. Let the Mayor bring forward the person who he feels meets the qualifications ...and let's give that person a thumbs up or thumbs down (by the council).
What's so freakin' hard about this?
There's nothing hard about the solution, which would have been Art Ward selecting a name from the well-qualified group of attorneys who actually applied for the position. Instead, Dictator Ward says that he will put the job on hold. Why? For the simple reason that the only person he will consider is Republican Ed Kraweicki. What a slap in the face to the fine attorneys who were more than willing to take the job. Another fine mess you've gotten yourself into Dictator Ward. Obviously you can't function in your job without Ed Kraweicki. Scary. And when things don't go your way, you just take your ball and bat and go sulking home. Great attitude for the leader of a city with a multi-million dollar budget. Another great example of why we NEED a city manager. We need someone at the helm who can make INTELLIGENT decisions. Rewarding folks who have bought you the most drinks over the years by appointing them to city posts and is NOT a sign of intelligence. Go Ward -- go far away!
8:34am - failure to successfully complete anger management 101 can be substituted with "stupidity unleashed" - you passed.
9:17
you write and post like Art Ward.
Awww poor 8:34 ~ Try to relax. We have someone at the helm making intelligent decisions. Bristol's doing great!
Wanna know what's REALLY SCARY though??? How about the "intelligent" people who are supposed to work together for the benefit our community, but instead have temper tantrums and go into verbal tirades when things don't go their way? Nothing is too low for these folks ~ name calling, insults, innuendo...all sorts of vile nastiness, and this is from people we're supposed to look up to as leaders....EWWWWW!!! Now that is what I call SCARY!!!!
Well thank you 2:03! I'm not the mayor, but I'll take that as a compliment!
2:03 sounds just like ken johnson, makes no sense at all
Who is Ken Johnson?
Remember when Ward criticized Stortz for "embarassing" Wulff by not reappointing him?
Now Ward has embarassed Dunlop and is embarassing Krawieki.
Who is next?
Guess it is OK for him, but not others.
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