Officials decry smear campaign in Saugus

SAUGUS – Town Manager Andrew Bisignani described a recent anonymous campaign against him as “cowardly,” after fliers calling for his ouster were placed on cars outside Town Hall.?In a situation like this, there?s no accountability,” said Bisignani. “By not coming forward and stating their position it?s cowardly.”There?s also a Facebook page about the campaign and, according to Town Meeting member Peter Manoogian, several fliers were also found on cars at the Alumni Baseball game at World Series Park this past Saturday and also appeared on cars at the Hammersmith.Manoogian acknowledged he?s no fan of Bisignani politically but derided the use of anonymous fliers.?That type of stuff, there?s been too much of it in the town the last 10 years,” said Manoogian. “Generally speaking I am not a fan of the direction (Bisignani) brought this town in ? but that doesn?t mean you mock the guy ? I would absolutely condemn this type of characterization, whether it?s anonymous or not, to try to embarrass a person. It shouldn?t happen.”Bisignani said anonymous campaigns like this aren?t new to Saugus.?This isn?t the first time that something like this has happened and I?m sure this isn?t the last,” said Bisignani. “Any leader can?t make all of the people happy all of the time. It?s happened to other elected officials with similar patterns. I think it?s inevitable. In my 30 year career I?ve seen it many, many times.”Selectmen Stephen Horlick experienced a similar flier campaign around six years ago, as did Town Meeting member Maureen Dever, only on a much grander scale.In 2005, a Cambridge-based group spent thousands of dollars on attack ads against Dever, who was a selectman at the time. The source of the funding for the ads was never made public.On Tuesday, Horlick said there?s no place in local politics for anonymous attacks.?I don?t like it because it?s been done in the past,” said Horlick. “If somebody has an issue with the Town Manager, you just walk in his office, make an appointment and sit down with him. There are other ways to do it other than doing this.”State Representative and Chairman of the Board of Selectmen Donald Wong said he?s been on the receiving end of negative campaign ads, and said he pays no attention to them whether they are anonymous or not.?I really can?t respect anyone who is putting out fliers whether it?s for the town manager or anyone,” said Wong. “I?m against all negative campaigning and I?m really against anyone putting out things that they won?t sign their name to. If it?s that important and that true, why don?t you put your name on it?”Town Meeting member Sean Maltais is running for selectman this year and said nothing positive comes out of negative attacks.?We?re trying to move the town forward and it just doesn?t help,” said Maltais. “I don?t know what positive comes out of this. Even if Andy and I disagree on anything, I respect Andy?s position. No matter who the town manager is, you have to respect the position.”Maltais said he received an anonymous mailer on Wednesday, and immediately threw it into his recycling bin.?I wouldn?t want it about me,” said Maltais. “I?ve gotten mailers about other candidates in the past and I throw them out. I just opened this and realized what it is and just threw it out. What do I need it for? Just make sure everyone recycles these now.”With Saugus facing steep budget deficits and a debt-exclusion vote for renovations at the Belmonte Middle School approaching, Bisignani said he?s staying focused on town matters.?I?m focused on other things,” said Bisignani. “This is a distraction. I just ignore it.”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected]. You can follow him on Twitter at @MattTempesta.