Jim Loschiavo, the Principal Clerk of the Engineering Department at Lowell City Hall, has recently gained an undesirable reputation as "the biggest jerk in Lowell." This label was coined by Josh Abrams, a First Amendment auditor who records his visits to local government buildings to test his rights and expose any infringement on those rights. Alongside his fiancée, Anna Day, Abrams conducted a contentious audit at Lowell City Hall, documenting encounters with various staff members who questioned his intentions. The audit, lasting nearly two hours, brought attention to issues of transparency, accountability, and professionalism within the city's government departments.
Setting the Stage:
Josh Abrams, known for his YouTube channel "Accountability For All" (or affectionately known as AFA by his followers), engages in First Amendment audits as a means to exercise his rights while challenging those he perceives as hindering them. His lady, Anna, also has her own channel, "BananerAnna." These audits involve filming inside government buildings to test the reactions of public officials and employees, as well as to gather information on their roles and responsibilities. Abrams previously audited other municipalities before turning his attention to Lowell City Hall, located in Lowell, Massachusetts.
Encounters with City Hall Staff:
During their visit to Lowell City Hall, Abrams and Day confronted several staff members who questioned their intentions and refused to engage with them. City Treasurer Ted Panagiotopoulos asked Abrams to seek approval from the City Manager's Office before filming city employees, to which Abrams defiantly refused. This encounter led Abrams and Day to file a public records request regarding Panagiotopoulos' personal information, while also complimenting Head Clerk Bianca Fuller for her exceptional service. The couple hoped that Panagiotopoulos would reflect on his behavior and improve in the future.
Engagement with Department Heads:
As Abrams and Day made their way through different departments, they encountered a mix of responses from city officials. Chief Assessor Ellen Brideau and the City Clerk's Office engaged in a productive and informative conversation, sharing insights into their roles and responsibilities. However, Chief Financial Officer Conor Baldwin challenged Abrams' perspective on public officials' accountability, emphasizing the importance of allowing employees to focus on their work. Baldwin believed that professionalism and respect should be upheld by both parties involved.
Contentious Encounter with the Engineering Department:
The audit reached a boiling point during Abrams' interaction with Jim Loschiavo, the Principal Clerk of the Engineering Department. Loschiavo appeared hesitant to speak on camera, which angered Abrams. In his frustration, Abrams resorted to derogatory language, calling Loschiavo names and asserting that he was a waste of space. Day believed that Loschiavo's behavior towards her was influenced by her gender. City Engineer Ting Chang attempted to intervene but was unable to resolve the situation. Abrams threatened to escalate the issue to arbitration if Loschiavo did not apologize.
Meeting with City Manager and City Solicitors:
Abrams and Day confronted City Manager Tom Golden outside the Mayor's Office, inquiring about employee education on First Amendment audits and Panagiotopoulos' response to the cameras. Golden acknowledged their activities and expressed the importance of providing training to ensure a welcoming environment for all visitors. Golden defended Panagiotopoulos, suggesting that his concern might have been related to sensitive information. Abrams also discussed the previous City Solicitor, Christine O'Connor, before meeting the current City Solicitor, Corey Williams, who spoke highly of his predecessor.
Final Thought:
The audit conducted by Josh Abrams and Anna Day at Lowell City Hall shed light on issues of transparency, accountability, and professionalism within the municipal government. The confrontations with city employees and officials brought attention to the need for training and a better understanding of citizens' rights. While the audit was marked by contentious encounters, Abrams remained steadfast in his belief that these efforts serve a greater purpose. The release of the audit on YouTube sparked further discussions on government transparency and the balance between public officials' responsibilities and citizens' rights.
You can watch AFA's audit here: https://youtu.be/Zso30fI7FlE
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