Though this article is designed for the Ward 2 voter/reader, Alderman Dowd’s chairmanship is ultimately a citywide product. Alderman Wilshire was given the gavel by the body of 15. That’s nine wards with one alderman apiece plus six members elected at large. Keep in mind that there was an opportunity to remove some of those 6 in addition to the mayor.
Prior to the November 2023 election, I learned that Dowd was not held in high esteem by his condo community. As his opponent, I gave that neighborhood some extra attention while out canvassing, then wrote this article about some condo association dirty laundry I learned more about while talking to well-engaged members of that community.
I was bent on removing that old fixture and fueled by my anger against his Mask Madness and big spending modus operandi; the latter being a big part of the resulting “Property Tax Tyranny.”
Last night’s meeting offered much to observe and take note of. It’s almost 2 hours long, but I encourage you to watch the public comments that are in the very beginning.
You could call it “3 WATCHdog Night” because the first 8 minutes were comments by three local women who almost don’t need any introduction: Laura Colquhoun, who recently wrote this article; Laurie Ortolano, who also speaks a 2nd time during a separate public comment at 1:41:35 to 1:44:35, and does hold her own as a Grokster, and Paula Johnson, who was recently ousted in a school recount and is planning to appeal recent litigation against the City that did not go favorably.
They tore it up! Good job, ladies.
I’ll give you the brief Jim Rice NESN desk summary. It became obvious that Alderman Dowd, as chair, knew about the ESSER funds shortfall BEFORE the election, and some of his ilk just started learning how bad only lately. For a detailed, play-by-play review of last night’s clown show, stay tuned in beyond the 9th minute when Alderman Sullivan asks questions. One very nasty member of The Swamp, who has been exceptionally hostile to Laurie Ortolano in the past, started questioning Dowd also though as a way of pretending to want accountability to his constituents. What a phony!
Watching the enemy camp eat its own is very gratifying, though only fleeting, but I will finish with this montage here because elections really do have consequences.
