Potential slugfest canceled

Posted by Jeremy Shulkin

Anyone who listens to talk radio around here has heard Bill Higgins wage war on 10 year incumbent state senator Harriette Chandler via radio ads that accuse her of taking bribes, voting to raise taxes and other activities that straddle the line between immoral/illegal.

Higgins’ commercials and multiple-times daily emails to every media outlet between here and Boston sparked enough interest for us to write about it this week, and Chandler has answered his implications through her own statements, interviews and radio ads.

Which is why we were excited about their debate tonight at Quinsigamond Community College — the first public meeting between two candidates who aren’t shy about accusing the other of using distortions and untruths. (Higgins says “lies,” Chandler avoids the word.) But unfortunately, the debate was canceled yesterday evening.

No details yet on the reason, but early this morning Higgins sent out another email listing QCC president Gail Carberry’s $600 of donations to Chandler since 2007, and noting that those contributions came as the legislature was looking at providing housing allowances for state college presidents.

Maybe he just didn’t think he was entering neutral territory. Now we’ll have to wait until Monday, Oct. 25 at Clinton High School to see how they respond to each other.

Chief Academic Officer Mulqueen new contract offer (updated)

Posted by Jeremy Shulkin

Terms for Worcester Public Schools’ Chief Academic Officer Jeffrey Mulqueen new contract have been offered. According to the terms, it would begin today and end June 30, 2013. His original contract wasn’t supposed to terminate until June 30, 2011, but called for discussions on a successive agreement to begin around June 30, 2010.

The new contract has a residency requirement, which says Mulqueen “shall maintain legal residence and domicile within the City of Worcester.” Mulqueen currently resides in Connecticut.

This isn’t a particularly new caveat. In the terms of his previous contract, there was foreshadowing that he’d have to move here at some point: “Any successor agreement will include a residency requirement…which will take effect July 1, 2011.”

The city will also help him move — he’ll get $2,600 for “costs associated with selling his residence in Connecticut and relocating to Worcester.”

His $139,600 salary will remain the same, but 3% of his salary will be put into a deferred compensation plan. He’ll also receive $250/month as reimbursement for using his personal car.

We’ve contacted Superintendent Melinda Boone’s office for more details, and are waiting for a call back.

Update: So the “signs” that appeared in the headline was a little quick on the draw. What we’re hearing is that these are the contract terms to be offered at tonight’s executive session with school committee. This isn’t the final contract, but rather conditions the school committee will vote on tonight.