I was hoping that there would be an article in today’s Newburyport Daily News about the about Mayor John Moak’s new pick for Newburyport’s Planning Director, Christopher Ryan, so I could blog on it. But there wasn’t.

So I thought I would pass on what I’ve heard, and it’s not much, but I trust the people that I’ve talked to.

Apparently there could be worse candidates. That’s sort of damned with faint praise, but there it is.

However, Mr. Ryan was on a number of people’s “short list,” and these are folks that I trust. So that’s extremely encouraging. I’ve also been told that Mr. Ryan has a very different “style” than Nick Cracknell. One would expect that, no problem in my book with that one.

But best of all apparently if Mayor Moak wanted to do something and it was not possible, Mr. Ryan would not hesitate to inform him. (I like this.) And I’ve been told that Christopher Ryan might well have a differing point (or points) of view and might well feel free to express it or them. (And of course I like this a lot.)

So that’s what I know. It’s not much, but it is encouraging. And I really, really want Christopher Ryan, if that’s who ends up being the next Planning Director, to be worthy of the City of Newburyport, and to be able to breath a sigh of relief that someone competent is on board.

And no matter who the Planning Director for Newburyport, MA might be, I think the citizens of this seaport city are on alert, whether it comes to the Central Waterfront, 40B housing, inappropriate infill, environmental issues, demolition of historic homes or outside developers coming here just to make a buck.

The Newburyport Current’s website says that there will be a story on Christopher Ryan in Friday’s edition. I’m sure, as always, that the Newburyport Current’s editor, Ulrika Gerth, will not disappoint, and I’m looking forward to reading the story very, very much.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport