Christopher Ryan, the Mayor’s choice for Newburyport’s Planning Director, seems more than willing to meet with the Newburyport City Council Planning and Development Committee on Monday August 21, 2006. (That meeting is open to the public, 7 p.m. at City Hall.)

The Newburyport City Council is “going by the book” on this one, as they should. “Typically, mayoral appointments are ‘received’ by the council on a first reading and then confirmed at the next council meeting to allow time for questions or issues to be addressed.” (Newburyport Daily News, August 17, 2006.)

Councilor Tom Jones, the chairman of the Planning and Development Committee had this to say:

“We are trying to be consistent, fair and equitable…My concern is that it seems when we don’t do what the mayor wants, it becomes a contest of personalities…I’m really concerned following the rules doesn’t fit into (Moak’s) time frame and schedule.”

And Christopher Ryan had this to say:

“This is an indication how much people really care about this and (that city leaders) choose a good candidate.” “People (in Newburyport) really care and have strong feelings on issues and concerns.”

Good for Christopher Ryan.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport, MA