To Your Rooms, Children

Joseph Altman, who is moving his consignment store from Fitchburg to Leominster, left town with guns blazing. At the Leominster City Council meeting last night, Altman made it clear how he feels about Fitchburg.

“I live in Fitchburg and I love Fitchburg. But I don’t feel Fitchburg is small-business friendly," Altman said to the Telegram.

“Fitchburg is in some troubling times,” he said. He then finished with: "I think somebody who measured inseams for a living does not a mayor make." (Hey, he sounds like a commenter.)

Mylott's response? “I won’t even respond to that. If Mr. Altman wasn’t able to make a go of it in Fitchburg, I think that’s his problem.”

Beyond his claims that the city is not business-friendly, Altman says his business struggled because of road work and the construction of the parking garage at the commuter rail station. To blame construction -- which should eventually lead to a more vibrant downtown -- is a little short-sighted and lame in our view. To take a swipe at Mylott is unseemly and unnecessary. Just head on out of town and let us worry about the future, sir.

As for Mylott's response, we're torn. He shouldn't have to respond to the inseam cracks. We elected him (many times) knowing full well what he did for a living. He's also been an elected official for over 20 years, which means he has a pretty good working knowledge of the city and its government. We'll all get a chance next year to review Mylott's performance.

The "I think that's his problem" bit is as unseemly and unnecessary as Altman's cracks. In fact, it is another one of those instances where we wonder if Mylott has ever had any kind of media or public-speaking training. Reporters must love this guy, because he has a knack for giving inflamatory quotes. As a resident and a public-relations guy, I'm begging Mylott to do a little better in his comments.

Couldn't he have said something like, "That space is going to be a key part of our future. It's a great retail location across the street from the parking garage and the rest of downtown, and we're excited about getting a new business in there to share in our growing future." It reinforces the benefits of the garage and downtown, keeps the focus on the future, and subtly knocks Altman for not making it in a good location. And it does it without being nasty. Mylott is the city's top cheerleader, but he comes across as angry and instigatory most of the time. The mayor needs to be eternally positive about the city and its future, while at the same time defending its interests. It's a skill Mylott doesn't really seem to possess.

Neither Altman nor Mylott are in the right on this one. Their squabble will blow over rather quickly. Hopefully the city can find a good tenant for that space that can be a good anchor for that section of downtown.