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QUESTION 1: Was I aware that Mr. Ames was repeatedly spending city work hours at Kazanjian’s Used Auto Parts on Dutton Street?
ANSWER: No, I was not aware he was repeatedly spending city work hours at Kazanjian’s Used Auto Parts. Of course, I was aware from time to time that Sandy would stop by and visit that location as he is friends with myself and many of my employees.
In retrospect, given my position as a city councilor, I probably should have paid more attention to it and for that I apologize.
QUESTION 2: Did I condone Ames’ apparent misconduct during work hours?
ANSWER: Absolutely not! I don’t and would not condone any misconduct whether it be my own employees or city employees.
QUESTION 3: Was I aware that Sandy Ames was allegedly performing work on Kazanjian-owned properties and running errands for Kazanjian Enterprises while supposedly on the clock for the city?
ANSWER: Sandy Ames served as an unpaid, independent contractor, performing oversight of plumbing work on a Kazanjian-based project outside the City of Lowell, specifically, 190 Middlesex Street in Chelmsford.
I thought it went without saying and that Sandy did not need to be told that he should not be performing any such services for me on city time.
If he was doing so, I was certainly not aware Sandy was either doing work or running errands for Kazanjian-related businesses on city time.
If these allegations are substantiated, I would certainly support the city manager’s decision to discipline Mr. Ames.
It was a mistake on my part not to make this point perfectly clear.
QUESTION 4: Why didn’t I disclose for conflict-of-interest reasons the fact that Sandy Ames also works as the manager of the SAC Club, a Market Street bar owned by Kazanjian, and is listed as president of that club?
ANSWER: I am not aware any conflict exists but as far as disclosing Sandy as Manager of Record and serving as corporate president of the SAC Club, I would point out it is a matter of public record at the Secretary of State’s Office and the City of Lowell’s License Commission.
Sandy has served as president of the corporation and manager since 1998, long before he was a city employee and I was a city councilor.
QUESTION 5: Why didn’t I recuse myself from voting on anything related to Inspectional Services given the close business relationship with Ames?
ANSWER: Sandy Ames is a very close personal friend of mine who serves as a non-compensated Corporate Officer and unpaid manager of the SAC Club Inc., both positions he has held since 1998, before he was plumbing inspector and prior to me being elected to the City Council.
I, like my colleagues, have many friends who are employed by the city.
I believe the only matter related to the Inspectional Services Division I voted on would have been voting on the budget as presented by the manager and seeing nothing in the conflict of interest laws that would have prohibited my voting or anything that would influence the way I did my job as a city councilor, I did not recuse myself.
In hindsight, perhaps a more prudent course of action on my part would have been to request an opinion through the solicitor’s office.
QUESTION 6: Was I aware, and did I condone, the fact that Sandy Ames reported working 52 hours for the city during an eight-day period in July when surveillance showed Ames did not work a minimum of 70 percent of those hours?
ANSWER: I would have had no way of knowing what Sandy Ames reported to the city during an eight-day period in July. Again, if these allegations are proved to be true, there is no way I would condone such conduct and would support appropriate disciplinary action by the city manager.
QUESTION 7: Am I aware that the behavior of Sandy Ames, a business associate, is accused of constitutes a diversion of public funds to a private use and is therefore illegal?
ANSWER: As I have stated several times before, I had no knowledge that Sandy Ames was doing any work for me while on city time and I think I have made it perfectly clear, I would never condone such activity.
QUESTION 8: Why was Ames allowed to sign off on more than 40 plumbing and gas permits on projects owned by or constructed by Kazanjian, or a corporate entity controlled by Kazanjian, since 2006, which is prohibited by state law?
ANSWER: Sandy Ames, the city of Lowell Chief Plumbing and Gas Fitting Inspector, signed off on permits applied by licensed plumbers subcontracted by Kazanjian Enterprises Inc., within in the City of Lowell.
Looking back. Perhaps it would have been a better idea to have the building commissioner procure a plumbing inspector from out of town to perform such inspections. And for not doing that, I apologize.
QUESTION 9: While voicing various opinions on the City Council floor, Kazanjian has often stated he is looking out for Lowell’s taxpayers. How is that consistent with Kazanjian’s relationship with Ames and his alleged activities?
ANSWER: As I have stated, I was not aware of Mr. Ames’ alleged activity pertaining to private work on city time.
Consistent with me looking out for taxpayers’ interest, if the alleged activity is proved to be true, I support discipline.