Though there are an array of competitive and important state legislative races across the state this cycle which deserve attention, I wanted to show some love to a race that is near to my own heart because it is playing out largely in a community, Andover and the Merrimack Valley, to which I have a strong personal connection.
The race for State Representative in Andover (and the surrounding communities of the Merrimack Valley) in the 18th Essex District pits tea-party flavored one-term Republican incumbent Jim Lyons against the former Democratic Rep he unseated during the red tide that swept the Merrimack Valley two years ago, Barbara L’Italien.
It is fairly well known,–evidenced, in part, by Blue Mass Group (http://bluemassgroup.com/2012/04/barbara-litalien-d-to-run-against-jim-lyons-teaparty-in-the-18th-essex/)– that Jim Lyons has a long history of tax problems, with “at least 14 federal, state and local tax liens [have been]… issued against [him] and [his] business.”*
In addition to avoiding tax payments totaling roughly $180,000, according to the Eagle Tribune, Rep Lyons was held in contempt of court for purposefully evading questions regarding his tax delinquency during legal proceedings.
Lyons’ past illegal and unethical conduct should be subject to public scrutiny. In the view of this blogger, it is valuable to question the judgement of elected officials who have deliberately attempted to mislead the justice system. For example, transcripts from a major lawsuit **, show Lyons’ evasive tactics in an attempt to impede the judicial process. To be clear, Dandi-Lyons is the name of the flower and ice-cream business that Rep. Lyons has owned and operated in Reading for over 25 years:
“Q [Mark F. Sullivan Attorney for Tiki Trust]: What’s your relationship with Dandi-Lyons?
A [James J. Lyons]: Dandi-Lyons. When you say “Dandi-Lyons,” I don’t know what you mean by that, “Dandi-Lyons.”
Q: Do you know what I mean by “relationship”?
A: As it relates to–no, am I related to my wife?
Q: No, do you know what I mean?
A: By the word “relationship.”
Q: Yes.
A: I suppose I could look it up in the dictionary.
Q: Do you know what I mean or not?
A: I don’t know what you mean by “relationship,” no.”
“Jim has worked in the family-owned retail flower and ice cream business for over three decades… This real-life business experience motivates Jim’s fight for reform on Beacon Hill..” (sic) says his own campaign’s website. Of course, not having a “relationship” with his own tax-evading business has not stopped Jim Lyons from discussing how owning said business will impact his policymaking on Beacon Hill.
Despite the overwhelming evidence and public outcry, many mainstream press outlets, even the Eagle Tribune (who normally flocks to this kind of controversy) have barely issued a peep on the matter. Given that the Eighteenth Essex District has redrawn to include several new communities of voters, this makes for both a stunning and frightening scenario, particularly for those who might not have had a chance to read up on Lyons circus act.
The lack of noise thus far leads this blogger to believe that something big on taxes must be waiting in the wings- ready to drop on Lyons at any moment.
In the meantime, Lyons appears to be happy ignoring the topic, writing about his desire on his campaign website to “Stop the continuing abuse of taxpayer dollars by the out-of-control political bureaucrats on Beacon Hill.” Ironic considering his extensive history of not being one of those taxpayers.
* EAGLE Tribune (http://www.eagletribune.com/election/x1744211440/Tax–woes–come–back–to–haunt–candidate–for–state–rep)
** Rockingham Superior Court of New Hampshire 94-c-940 Lorraine Grady V. Jim Lyons d/b/a Dandi-Lyons Alexandra Mayer-Hohdhal
The North Andover School Committee chair wrote in support of Barbara L’Italien because Representative Lyons simply did not provide timely updates on state funding.
He could be the poster boy Mass GOP anti-tax anti-choice crowd.
seems like a job for Ernie?
Jim Lyons wants to repeal protest buffer zones at women’s clinics.
http://www.eagletribune.com/letters/x1684125660/Letter-Clinics-need-a-buffer-zone-from-protesters
Jim Lyon’s wife Bernadette is a “curb side counselor.”
Jim and Bernadette at an anti-abortion rally holding signs for “Stand Up for Religious Freedom.”
Bernadette at a Tea Party rally, the movement that swept her husband into office.
Does a tax cheating, rent dodging, Tea Partying, anti-choice, religious zealot really represent the people of the 18th Essex?
…this Saturday afternoon. Details here
In that District, including Dracut and Tyngsboro, you have a battle between two women who attended high school together. One is an 18 year incumbent, a conservative Catholic Democrat who has a law degree and sides with the leadership on many important budgetary issues. The other is a relative neophyte, a tea party republican with large land ownership interests whose family came over on the Mayflower. State Rep. Colleen Garry is facing her first strong challenge in many years from Cathy Richardson-Brown, who spent several years in Red State Missouri before returning home to start a political career. Although Garry is well liked, her opponent is using her position on the Board of Selectman to make inroads with many Dracut voters, and her operation is beginning to circulate flashy Scott-Brown style mailers that unfairly accuse her opponent of corruption. From her campaign finance reports, Ms. Richardson-Brown is obviously in bed with the real estate industry, and she has yet to articulate what she would actually do if elected. She is the opposite of independent, and would likely do whatever the tea party Republicans want her to do. She is under the tutelage of her mom, a 78-year old ideologue who in her prime was one of the regional organizers for Citizens for Limited Taxation. If anyone wants more information, please reply and I can say a lot more.