A Key Year

Suddenly, it looks like there will be an excellent opportunity this year for Fitchburg residents to remake its power structure, with the possiblity of long-term effects on the city.

It appears more and more like Rep. Emile Goguen is stepping down -- with an announcement perhaps in the next week or so. Not only does it provide an opportunity to reshape the city's State House representation, it will also likely lead to a big change at City Hall.

While Goguen enjoys strong popularity in Fitchburg -- if he does run this fall is there any doubt of his winning? -- he's seen differently on Beacon Hill. He is not part of the inner circle of power brokers, and he does not carry weight with the power brokers. His influence is minimal. For a city that needs a strong voice at the State House, Goguen does not provide it.

So, Fitchburg gets the opportunity to find that strong voice. In the perfect world, our candidate is on the younger side, full of energy and enthusiasm, smart as hell, and ready and willing to play ball at the State House and quickly find a meaningful role in the Legislature. As the city tries to "improve ties" to the State House (or, figure out a way to get some financial help on everything from the budget to Route 12 and a downtown connector), this is a key opportunity to find someone to help.

However, this goes potentially beyond the State House and effects City Hall. Mayor Dan Mylott is expected to throw his hat in the ring for Goguen's seat. If he wins, that suddenly leaves Fitchburg looking for a mayor, the most important job in city government. Again, we like young, dynamic, energized. Someone who will carry the Fitchburg banner anywhere, any time, any place.

Is Mylott the right guy for the job? We've written in the past that we question the influence a minority-party representative who has spent much of the last year belittling the Legislature. However, he has unquestionably strong support in the city (despite the general on-line view of the guy) and has an understanding of how the city works and what its needs are (again, despite the general on-line view of the guy).

Mylott doesn't have to give up the Mayor's Office to run, and can stay if he loses a state rep race, but wouldn't that really be a referendum on Mylott's 2007 chances? If he can't win what's essentially a citywide election for state rep, how could he come back a year later and be re-elected mayor? Wouldn't potential '07 mayoral candidates be emboldened by a Mylott loss this year?

The point: If Goguen doesn't run again, and Mylott runs for state rep, it pretty much means Fitchburg is electing a new rep and new mayor in the next two years (Mylott supports can feel free to make their arguments for Mylott losing in '06 and winning in '07 comments below).

It all gets started in the next few days, when Goguen makes his expected announcement. What looked like a down year in local electoral politics (no local elections, Goguen and Antonioni slam-dunks for re-election) suddenly has the prospect of not only being fun, but a major crossroads for Fitchburg.