Licensing Board to be packed?

The rumor swirling inside hall is that the mayor is seeking to end run those who do not believe the 2:00 a.m. closing hour should be restored.

They say that the mayor is not going to reappoint Licensing Board member John Pace, that she will, instead, appoint one of two people apparently being considered by the mayor for the job.

The mayor’s strategy, as we are led to understand it, is to replace members like Pace who voted to reduce the 2:00 a.m. closing time to 1:00 a.m. and who is the type of Licensing Board member who will not be changing his mind any time soon.

Pace’s thoughts on the matter are in sync with the police chief, with most elected public officials here and with nearly every group whose time is spent on social ills caused by alcohol and drug abuse.

Pace’s position on the city’s bar closing time also fits with family people who want Lynn to remain a family city instead of being known as a last call haven for drinkers needing another rush.

If the mayor gets rid of Pace, she makes her own appointment and presumably an appointment that will do her bidding for her as she owes her allegiance to the restaurant association.

We understand the mayor is presently considering two possible replacements for Pace – a paid employee who works in her city hall office and a paid consultant who represents the restaurant association.

Perhaps this is not so but we tend to believe it is.

The mayor is said to believe that she can return the city to a 2:00 a.m. closing time to satisfy restaurant and bar owners if she stacks the Licensing Board.

This is wrong.

It is frankly unethical and irresponsible.

Mr. Pace should be reappointed on merit.

Instead he is likely to be removed so the mayor gets her vote by appointing a man or woman who will support the restaurant association’s belief that that bar hours should be restored.

Going one step further – it is illegal, unethical and wrong for “her” appointment, whomever it might be, to swear allegiance to the mayor rather than to the 100,000 residents of this city.

This is not how business is done at city hall in the modern world.

Lynn is a better and safer place without the 2:00 a.m. closing hour.

The mayor should not be leading this charge.

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