When Daniel Rivera was sworn in as Mayor of the City of Lawrence, he couldn’t wait to get to work. We saw him at City Hall on weekends and there were late nights, too; but the public only knows what’s published by the media, his day-to-day activities. When you put it together, there is much more than reading to kindergarten children and firing people to his duties.
Having spent four years in the City Council and being the chair of the budget and finance committee, he was quite knowledgeable of how the system is run and internal problems. When asked what his biggest surprise was now that he is holding this office, his response was immediate, “Finding out how much people don’t know that we can do!”
He talked with great enthusiasm about enjoying the job – even on the tough days. “I’m thrilled to come to work every day!” That eagerness got him in trouble early in his administration, straining the relationship with members of the city council. He wasted no time to fire 34 employees, mostly sympathizers of the previous administration, some of whom had been working since the Sullivan Administration.
He was also quick in selecting their replacements becoming obvious that they were his own supporters or that of State Representative Marcos Devers’ campaign.
Relationship with the City Council
Rivera wants to work fast and has been hiring a number of employees without going through the process of properly advertising, interviewing applicants and simply putting people to work, overlooking the duties of the council.
“In private industry we work fast and I want the city to be treated like any other company. In the meantime, I have not followed established rules.” Among the new hires are: a plant manager and a director of support services for the police department; a new Water Commissioner, Recycling Coordinator and a Treasurer; also, the Director of Planning and Business Development Director, both pending council approval. The Treasurer was later moved to the position of Comptroller and the job is open again.
Hiring people without going through the normal process of allowing council members to interview candidates cost him being scolded during the recent City Council meeting when Planning Director Theresa Park was to be appointed. He also lied to the media and the council over a $23,000 stipend that he promised her over her $75,000 salary. During the meeting, he begged to be trusted and apologized several times but the councilors didn’t budge.
Director of Personnel Frank Bonet was asked at that council meeting why positions were not advertised in newspapers. He related the excessive cost involved with different media outlets and his department has zero dollars for that expense. Disbelieving what they just heard they questioned why. Mr. Bonet explained it was the same situation for the unemployment compensation accounts and others where he is operating with no funding.
Mayor Rivera recognizes that he has stepped on toes creating controversy and discord but agrees that, at times, it is necessary. “We have to work fast; there’s too much work to do!” He is methodical in his thinking, “If you say I’ll get it to you this week but on Friday you say ‘you’ll have it on Monday,’ that’s next week not this one. People have to be held accountable.”
Lawrence Reputation
In the last 100 days, Mayor Rivera has taken on the task of restoring the city’s reputation very actively in public appearances such as hosting the Governor’s Cabinet meeting; attending President Obama’s State of the Union and Niki Tsongas invitation to Washington for the Third District Day; meeting and strategizing with Governor Deval Patrick, Secretary of Education Matt Malone, Commissioner of Education Mitchell Chester, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, as well as Congresswoman Niki Tsongas. He is always looking for input from federal and state officials to learn what they can do for the city and let them know that we are on the right track.
Part of that needed knowledge has been acquired through his attendance to the Mass Municipal Association New Mayors’ Forum, Harvard JFK School of Government New Mayors’ Symposium and Mayor Menino’s BU Conference “Leading Cities through Crisis: Lessons from the Marathon Bombing.”
Police Department
During the campaign, he seemed to have only one area of concern: that of hiring more police officers. He processed 8 new recruits for the Police Academy and hopes to add between 6 or 8 new ones this year. He knows money will be tight and he probably will have to lay off more city employees to be able to get it done. At the same time, he wants to balance the FY16 city budget with no tax increases.
Rivera re-established the Monthly Compstat Strategy meetings which had been so successful mapping out the areas of trouble and delinquency yet, former Police Chief John Romero stopped it in years past.
In order to update the conditions in the police station, he had the officers pull the exercise equipment in the basement and arranged with the Lawrence YMCA for free membership for our officers. The huge space will now be turned into offices to alleviate to overcrowding they have upstairs.
Another item on his top list of accomplishments was moving four police officers to patrol by taking them off of administrative duties and having to discipline five police officers and one civilian. Another goal was demoting Melix Bonilla back to sergeant and moving his status to unpaid leave until his case is resolved.
Accessibility
While many people complain that the mayor is not accessible and cannot even make an appointment to meet with him, he prides himself of attending meetings at the neighborhood associations, churches, visiting business owners, meeting with taxi drivers, and visiting schools as a way to be in touch with the people.
Although he is given credit for the return of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, he says that he encouraged the celebration. For the last three years the St. Patrick’s Parade was not held because of the excessive police cost. In keeping with a campaign promise that he would assist other cultural groups in their celebrations, the mayor has met with organizers of Hispanic Week on their upcoming festival and with Casa Dominicana regarding organization funding.
Mayor Rivera cites several things as his biggest accomplishments, besides what he has done at the police department: The implementation of a dress code at City Hall and a city-wide spending freeze, along with mayoral review of all invoices and warrants; initiating the new MVRTA downtown bus shuttle; filling seats on boards and commissions and jump starting the downtown revitalization plan.
Regarding his role as chair of the School Committee and the fact that it has become a body without power, he explained that the day will come that Lawrence will regain control of the school system but reiterated that, “What good is it to get control of the schools if we are not ready? Things are improving in the district and eventually we will.”
He also approves the presence of the State Overseer Robert Nunes, for he is able to bounce ideas and get proper advice. He recently wanted to pay Tom Schiavone a settlement of $175,000 for a case against the city that he lost twice and Mr. Nunes refused to allow it.
We even asked about his future plans suggesting that he added CEO to his title of Mayor. Some speculations are that he is building a reputation at the CEO height so that he will be seen at that level for future positions.
“I am enjoying being here and if the residents elect me next time it will be great but I’m concentrating in doing a good job now,” he said.
