Councillor Responds to Criticisms

To the Editors of The Crimson:

In response to the journalistic junket of Michael Stankiewicz entitled "Walsh Transactions Criticized" in the August 18, 1989 issue of The Crimson, let the following be noted.

The writer's use of the phrase "extensive business dealings with high-ranking officials" to describe my honest and on-the-record business transactions is at best an exaggeration and, at worst, a lie. Obviously enamored by the myth which dictates that bigger is better, the writer chose to use the word "extensive" when in fact there is no justification for use of that word in this context. The misuse of that word may sell copy, but it prostitutes the function of a free press and crucifies communication of the truth.

As to my 90-day bridge loan to Donald Drisdell, let the record show that this loan was given to allow Mr. Drisdell to fund the purchase and repair of a piece of property in Cambridge, and not in Somerville, as was reported erroneously in the article.

As to the writer's quotation from Councillor Duehay contending that my legitimate business conduct "...creates the appearance of impropriety," I pose this question to the writer and Councillor Duehay, who is reported as being so concerned with propriety. When there was opportunity to make the rhetoric of equal opportunity a reality, which was the core issue regarding the continued presence or absence of the Commonwealth Day School, a school which serves a significant sector of minority students, at its 113 Brattle Street site, where was Councillor Duehay as a drum major for justice within his own neighborhood? He joined with his neighbors in a chorus of "Just Say No." Schooldays have been brought to a close for the Commonwealth Day School at the Brattle Street site. Such action by Councillor Duehay was not the appearance of impropriety, it was impropriety. To fail to lead because to do so carries with it the potential risk that property values might decrease on your own property and that of your neighbors is not only the absence of leadership, it is the presence of impropriety.

In addition, I believe it is improper for elected City officials to appear in person before city boards to promote their positions on various issues. Councillor Duehay, on a consent basis, appears before the Zoning Board and Licensing Board to express his views and opinions. This has a real potential for influencing the outcome of an administrative agency decision. If not in actuality, at the very least, the appearance of impropriety is present in the subtle influence that a person holding public office can have on board members, particularly since board members are appointed by the City Manager, who in turn is hired by members of the City Council.

As to quoted remarks of Michael Turk, let it be noted initially that he and I disagree on just about everything. What I find most disturbing in his remarks is his determination to replace fact with fiction when he said, "It's very disquieting to see instances of public officials providing favors, particularly financial ones." Does he know something I don't? Often times, people predicate of others activities similar in nature to activities in which the speaker or writer is a participant. Is this what underlies and rests at the root of Mr. Turk's statement that "...questions of appearance are important because you can't know if someone is returning favors because of side dealings"?

It was the late Adlai Stevenson who said that public opinion is the sovereign of us all. I have always believed that the press has an enormous responsibility in helping to form a sound public opinion rooted in truth and fact and not in conjecture, innuendo and/or rumor. The writer of this article did little to form such public opinion. That was due in part to his being duped by double-speak by some and in part to the paucity of his individual investigative initiative, which went no deeper than to quote The Boston Phoenix. Such limitation suggests a less than maximal presence of journalistic creativity. William H. Walsh   City Councillor