Reactions to Murray’s Return: Sides Split
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Is Murray's return to Worcester good or bad? MA politicos weigh in.
Today, GoLocal takes a look at the reaction in the community, where there was a high level of support -- and opposition as well.
See Slideshow of Murray's Political Hits and Misses Here
Murray will replace Richard B. Kennedy who last year said he would be retiring after serving as Chamber President and CEO for the past nine years.
On Wednesday, Chamber Chairman Richard Burke gave his praises for the incoming President. “Tim Murray is a proven leader with a passion for economic development and the ability to lead the business community," said Burke. "This is a great day for the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and its more than 2,000 member businesses.”
Elected officials in the city offered their support as well.
"It is a huge win for Central Mass. and Worcester. He is a respected leader with a proven track record of successes,” said City Manager Michael O’Brien.
Mayor Joe Petty said in a prepared statement on Wednesday, "It makes perfect sense that he will be leading an organization dedicated to enhancing the region’s economic prosperity and the vitality of our business community. Tim is the bold, strong, articulate and effective advocate that we need in city."
Petty continued, "It was Tim’s vision that led us to CitySquare, it was Tim that pushed for expanded commuter and it was Tim that never lost faith in the airport. Tim has been there on almost every economic development project large and small in recent memory."
Here's what others had to say about Murray's move.
Sue Mailman, Board Member of the Worcester Chamber and President of Coghlin Electrical Contractors:
"There was a lot of excitement today and great energy around the announcement. It's all about economic development, and this is exactly what you'd want if given a choice. We'd been talking with a number of good candidates, with Tim among them. The Executive Committee gave the green light last Thursday to Burke to make the offer."
Regarding the financial status of the Chamber, Mailman told GoLocal the following. "There's been a lot of information swirling around out there that doesn't accurately reflect our standing. I can tell you that the Chamber's operational activities have been breaking even and in the black."
Mary Anne Marsh with The Dewey Square Group
"It's the best of all worlds for Tim. He's made contacts on the local, regional, and national level that will greatly serve to benefit the city of Worcester. He's a known commodity, a great fundraiser. The Chamber's making an investment by going with him."
"The Lt. Governor office has been vacant before -- just look at Kerry, Cellucci, Swift. The work that was started by Murray and his staff will probably now be done either at the Cabinet secretary level, or with the Administration."
"Murray said he didn't want to run for Governor, so this move makes perfect sense. Although you can't rule anything out, if he decides to go back into politics, he'll have to re-address the issues he's facing -- plus the fact that he left mid-term, which then would be a whole other issue in itself."
Opposition and Criticism
Chris Pinto with the Worcester Republican City Committee talked with GoLocal on Wednesday, and shared his views on the scenario.
"It's not surprising. Nobody in Boston likes Timmy Murray, and everybody knows that Jim McGovern pulls the strings at the [Worcester] Chamber."
Pinto was harsh in his critique of the Chamber.
"There'll be no difference with [Murray] at the Chamber. They're ineffective representing the business community," said Pinto. "I mean, there's no [Massachusetts] statewide chamber, like most other states, they have no pull at the Statehouse.
"The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance is doing a better job promoting business interests. If I owned a business in the state, I'd certainly be putting my money behind the Alliance, where it would do some good."
Regarding the timing of the announcement, Pinto said he'd heard speculation on the impending move on Tuesday evening. "Everything's orchestrated," he said.
Michael Graham, conservative talk show host on WCRN, had the following to say:
"There must have been a coupon," quipped Graham. "With [Representative] Fresolo resigning on the same day, you get to solve two corruption scandals at once!"
"It's interesting to me that the Chamber feels that Murray's current problems will just go away," said Graham. "Whether or not formal investigations continue, we'll see. But information has a way of wanting to be shared."
For the slideshow of Murray's backgrounds -- and wins and losses -- go here.
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