This opinion piece appeared in The Standard-Times on Aug. 12th, 2005.

Candidate has temperament for mayor's job

I listened to the radio news on a recent morning to hear George Leontire say that Matt Morrissey doesn't have the "temperament" to be mayor. Where else but in New Bedford mayoral campaigns can one get irony so rich?

Anyone who has been in New Bedford over the past eight years (and I've lived here for the last 31 years) knows that George Leontire (who, by the way, lives in South Dartmouth) is a man of considerable intellect who has done a number of good things for the city of New Bedford.

But George Leontire is also a bully. He shouts at people; he threatens them with lawsuits; he uses every means possible to intimidate. I know, I have been on the receiving end. I'm a public figure so getting shouted at and threatened is part of the territory.

Most people I've talked with who have been on the receiving end of George Leontire's bullying are indeed intimidated and do not stand up. They can't stand up. They have too much to lose. Matt did stand up, and his response overheard by two people standing nearby, "George, you don't intimidate me," is exactly what gets bullies really worked up.

One other thing that everyone in New Bedford knows is that Mayor Fred Kalisz has chosen George Leontire as his representative. George acts in the name of Fred Kalisz. They are a team. No one is fooled by the good cop/bad cop ruse.

So, let's get back to "temperament." Mr. Leontire and Mr. Kalisz work to divide the community and then intimidate their opposition. They believe in closed door decision-making.

What about Matt Morrissey? He believes in engaging people. He listens to what others have to say. He is courteous but also strong enough to stand up to a bullying George Leontire.

In my book, and I've been there, Matt Morrissey has the "temperament" to be mayor. Matt Morrissey, not only has the temperament to be mayor, he also has the intellect, moral compass and fortitude to stand up for the people of New Bedford above all else.

The far more serious concern is the mayor's resistance to publicly removing George Leontire from his campaign.

JOHN BULLARD
New Bedford
Editor's note: Mr. Bullard was mayor from 1986 to 1992.

This opinion piece appeared in The Standard-Times on Aug. 12th, 2005.