Cambridge city council order number 4 for this coming Monday, December 5, at http://www2.cambridgema.gov/cityClerk/PolicyOrder.cfm?item_id=33584, says way too much about the situation on the Cambridge City Council.
This order indicates that the Cambridge City Manager is still keeping key information secret from the Cambridge City Council on the case of Malvina Monteiro v. City of Cambridge.
This is the case in which judge, jury, and appeals court are in agreement that the Cambridge City Manager destroyed the life of Malvina Monteiro in retaliation for her filing a civil rights complaint. The appeals court panel showed its disgust at Cambridge’s appeal by refusing to issue a formal opinion, and said “ample evidence [of] outrageous action.” The trial judge called Cambridge’s behavior “reprehensible.” The jury awarded $1.1 million for destroying her life and $3.5 million penal damages to show its disgust. The city manager has announced, without explanation, the city solicitor’s retirement.
The key court opinions may be read at: http://charlesriverwhitegeeseblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/appeals-court-decision-in-monteiro.html (appeals court), and at http://charlesriverwhitegeeseblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/judge-issues-decision-denying.html (trial judge).
There is nothing complicated about this situation. Jury, judge and appeals court are in agreement that the Cambridge City Manager committed gross malfeasance in office. That translates into ample cause to fire him without golden parachute and probably without pension.
The refusal of the Cambridge City Manager to provide the Cambridge City Council with key information on the case rather reminds me of the treatment of the Cambridge City Council by the predecessor to the Sullivan / Healy regime. He was fired for a lot less than findings of Superior Court judge and Jury and Appeals Court Panel of gross malfeasance in office.
The Cambridge City Manager is treating the Cambridge City Council with the lack of respect that the Cambridge City Council amply deserves.
