A fundraiser deliberate for a Michelle Wu opposition group has erupted into controversy and fizzled, with Boston politicians now scrambling to run away from the hassle.
What started as a celebration for former Boston Mayor Ray Flynn, then a fundraiser for his son, City Council President Ed Flynn, then a gathering to “Save Our City” from leftist politicians is now again to being a fundraiser for Ed Flynn.
The gathering deliberate at PR mogul George Regan’s home on Cape Cod was at one time alleged to launch the rising “Save Our City” group – billed as an effort to “save the City of Boston from the negative impacts of the ultra-progressive policies that dominate the current City Council and current administration at Boston City Hall.”
The listing of attendees included Flynn, Councilor Erin Murphy, Councilor Frank Baker, Councilor Michael Flaherty and council candidates Bridget Nee Walsh and John Fitzgerald.
But after questions emerged concerning the legality of the group and its opposition to Wu, and the truth that a gaggle to avoid wasting Boston was being held on tony Cape Cod, politicians started operating away from it.
“I was invited to a birthday party for Ambassador Flynn on Saturday evening down on the Cape,” Murphy instructed the Herald. “He’s an old friend and a great public servant, and I will wish him a happy birthday privately. I wasn’t aware of and am not aligned with this other event (Save Our City), and won’t be attending.”
Fitzgerald, a metropolis of Boston worker, additionally now reportedly received’t be going to the fundraiser.
And Ed Flynn put out an announcement clarifying that the occasion “is being organized by community and business leaders throughout Greater Boston looking to celebrate Mayor Flynn’s 84th birthday” and in addition to assist him as City Council President.
“I will continue to focus on delivering positive leadership on the Boston City Council, addressing quality of life issues and working with the Wu administration, my council colleagues and Boston residents to help move our city forward,” Flynn mentioned.
But on Thursday, Regan despatched out an announcement to no less than one publication and instructed the Herald that the occasion was going to be referred to as “Save Our City.” The Dorchester Reporter reported the press launch in a narrative.
That launch angered the Wu administration and triggered flak concerning the ethics of the occasion that additionally prompted its collapse. Campaign finance regulation prohibits coordination between candidates and tremendous PACs – which Save Our City was going to grow to be.
The fundraiser fiasco bears hanging similarities to when Regan needed to cancel one other fundraising occasion for former Gov. Charlie Baker a number of years in the past as a result of UMass President Marty Meehan was mistakenly listed as host of the occasion. Public workers aren’t allowed to host fundraising occasions. That fundraiser was additionally at Regan’s Mashpee dwelling and even featured the identical band, the James Montgomery Band.
The “Save Our City” occasion grew out of personal conferences that enterprise leaders have been quietly holding for the final a number of months, together with a number of builders who’ve been shut out of the Wu administration and aren’t completely happy. They tentatively deliberate to type a brilliant PAC to elect extra conservative councilors and recruit somebody to run towards Wu, however these plans could now be scuttled.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”