Lynn grant writer heading back to New York

LYNN – The City Hall office used by grant writer Donald Arthur is empty and Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy has confirmed he is no longer working for the city, but beyond that no one is talking.”He is heading back to New York, he’s getting good letters of recommendation and we wish him well,” said Kennedy. “And that’s about all I’m going to say on that.”Arthur was hired by Kennedy in March 2012 as the Director of Special Projects after he failed to land the job as comptroller. In November he found himself called before the City Council to answer questions regarding his job responsibilities, which was primarily as a grant writer.He said at the time that he had applied for $2 million in grants and acquired $185,000 for the city, and was working on applications for the Grand Army of the Republic and a fire safety prevention grant.Councilor at large Buzzy Barton credited Arthur, saying “he’s been doing a lot of work.”Councilor at large Daniel Cahill, however, pressed Arthur on his residency. While Arthur kept an apartment in Lynn he traveled back to Albany, N.Y. most weekends to be with his family.Cahill asked Arthur if he planned to remain in Lynn and Arthur acknowledged the difficulty he faced traveling to and from family, he pledged to remain working in Lynn.His pledge to Cahill, however, went against an earlier statement he made in the Albany Times Union, where he was quoted as saying that he wanted to remain in the capital region. He called it his home, where his children go to school and “this is where my job is.”Arthur was forced to leave his Albany position as Director of Administration after a city audit accused him of mismanagement of a $5,000 petty cash account. Arthur sued the city and won, but city officials were reportedly expected to fight the ruling and in the process they also eliminated Arthur’s former job.At the time, Arthur, who could not be reached for comment, defended his record, stating he mismanaged nothing but was caught in the middle of political gamesmanship. Kennedy also defended her hire, stating that he was doing a good job.While Arthur worked in Kennedy’s suite of offices on the third floor of City Hall, she only covered one-third of his salary. Economic Development and Industrial Corporation and Community Development each picked up a third of Arthur’s salary as well.Community Development Director James Marsh could not be reached regarding Arthur’s departure but EDIC Executive Director James Cowdell called his exit “a mutual agreement.””I would think it would be very taxing on him being away in New York. We wish him the best of luck,” was all he said.Kennedy said any grants Arthur left unfinished would be worked on by other employees and she was unsure whether she would try to fill the position.”We’ll evaluate when and if we replace him,” she said.Thor Jourgensen can be reached at [email protected] Stevens can be reached at [email protected].