Salem News Right On Governor's Council Wrong On Lenk





Opinion

 

     Our View: Ancient Governor's Council serves useful purpose

            

The Governor's Council consists of eight elected members from districts that span the state, plus the lieutenant governor. A holdover from Colonial days, its primary function is to vet the governor's appointments, most notably, of judges.

There is currently a move afoot in the Legislature to abolish the council and transfer its responsibilities either to the Senate or an appointed review panel. The measure is now scheduled to come before the Constitutional Convention, consisting of the members of both the House and Senate, in July; and if approved there, would go on the ballot.

Those who support eliminating the council argue that it is merely a rubber stamp for the governor's nominees.

That can be true. But more often of late some of its members have been a thorn in the administration's side.

Indeed, we suspect that this area's representative on that body, Salem's Mary-Ellen Manning, is right when she says there would be no hue and cry among Democratic leaders like Senate President Therese Murray to abolish the council if it was a Republican governor's judicial choices being given a hard time.

Generally, and despite the occasional buffoonery, the council gets things right, as it did recently in approving Gov. Patrick's appointment of Appeals Court Judge Barbara A. Lenk to the Supreme Judicial Court.

There is little evidence a legislative or appointed equivalent would be any more independent or less obstreperous than the current group of councilors.

In fact, the value of the current Governor's Council as a check on the governor became apparent last year when one of Patrick's judicial nominees was found by Manning to be a New Hampshire resident. The nomination of Christopher Maclachlan was subsequently withdrawn.

The Governor's Council needs members like Manning who are willing to take on the political establishment.

For Manning, at least, the issue is not retaining a position that pays $26,025 a year and requires attendance at one meeting a week plus whatever time is spent researching candidates.

"I think reform has to include a look at abolishing the council, a serious look at it," Manning told the State House News Service last week. "But what are we going to replace it with? That's the question." And it's a good one.

Commentary

We are truly blessed by the Lord to have the Governor's Councilor that we have in Mary Ellen Manning.She is the epitome of what it means to be a public servant and a wonderful person as well.The Governor's Council doesnot need to be abolished and is serving the Commonwealth well alot better than the hacks in other parts of the State Government.