Disbelief in Worcester Following Resignation of City Manager

Friday, November 22, 2013

J. T. Carstensen, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Worcester residents and public servants across the political spectrum expressed disbelief and little confusion at the resignation of longtime City Manager Michael O’Brien, and his impending employment with the scandal-tinged real estate developers, WinnCompanies.

Public officials and civic leaders were quick to give O’Brien high marks for his enthusiasm for the city he has managed since 2004.

Barbara Haller, a former city councilor, called O’Brien the ultimate “Worcester Booster,” who had a “great vision of what Worcester should be and where it should go.”

John Giangregorio, of the Canal District Business Association, called O’Brien “a very competent administrator” who’s “positive outlook was always helpful.”

Bonnie Lund Johnson, former leader of Worcester’s Seven Hills Tea Party, admitted “sadness” saying “With Mike we knew what the vision was.”

Amongst the populace, the bag is a little more mixed.

“Another do nothing crony who specialized in helping his friends instead of constituents” wrote one commenter on this publication’s Facebook page, perhaps tacitly referring to O’Brien’s next gig.

Another disapproved of O’Brien being “a big Obama guy.”

Said another: “He resigned because of a big money opportunity in the private sector. City manager is pennies on the dollar compared to what's out there in the private sector.”

There is little doubt about that. But what about the private company that is offering O’Brien those dollars?

Winn-Win?

WinnCompanies is a nationwide company specializing in real estate development and property management. They have five properties in Worcester, and are currently spearheading the ongoing renovation of what will become the VOKE Lofts in a landmarked former vocational school. Winn’s recent redevelopment success, the Canal Lofts, also came during O’Brien’s tenure.

However, Winn probably remains best known for their overreach in Boston’s failed Columbus Center high rise project, a 13-year odyssey that featured over $60,000 in illegal campaign contributions, a $100,000 fine …and no building.

Arthur Winn, the man who paid that that fine – and narrowly avoided a jail sentence – is no longer with the company. As of January, O’Brien will be.

So it’s true that some were not altogether surprised that O’Brien stepped down after hinting at the possibility in September. But, Winn?

“That did surprise me” says Haller.

And while she spoke effusively of the “excellent relationship” O’Brien had with her and her former district, she admitted that “we clashed from time to time on CDC’s (Community Development Corporations).”

She also points out that, affordable housing is primarily Winn’s stock in trade, a field for which O’Brien has “never had a particular craving.” That, combined with Winn’s history of fund-raising impropriety, could only mean one thing in the minds of many: the company simply made O’Brien an offer too good to pass up.

“Winn is a huge company with a lot of clout, and that had to be appealing to Mike.”

“I didn’t anticipate it… It must have been a good fit” says Stuart Loosemoore of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce.

Now What?

As for what happens next, that too is a muddy issue. Not long after O’Brien’s announcement, Tim Murray, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce, and long considered the most likely replacement, said in a statement, “I will not seek, nor do I wish to be considered for the position of city manager of Worcester at this time.”

“I do not envy the task ahead of them,” says Loosemoore, referring to the city council.

So, while some see this situation as an opportunity, and some as the beginning of a potential leadership void, all can agree, the political landscape in Worcester is about to undergo significant changes.

Ultimately, Giangregorio describes this as a “new day for Worcester.” He also says he’ll miss O’Brien, someone who was always able to “put a positive spin on the city of Worcester.”

Now, how much will O’Brien have to try to put a positive spin on Winn?

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