Old mill town seeks someone special (as CFO)

My name is Lawrence. And like a lot of other mid-sized mill cities in Massachusetts, I’ve got great possibilities. I need the right kind of person to help me reach them. Sadly, too many people write me off just as soon as they Google me.

But you should know this: I am a stout community of 76,000 made up of hard-working residents of all cultural backgrounds. I have a uniquely rich history. I’ll soon be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the famous Bread and Roses labor strike. Some of my famous residents have included Robert Frost, Leonard Bernstein, former Miss America Susie Castillo, and the heavy-metal band Godsmack’s frontman, Sully Erna. I have a bustling business community that features great small, medium, and large companies and nonprofit organizations.

You have probably read about my recent issues with money. I borrowed $24 million to fix a multiyear deficit. I will say this on my behalf: I was in a bad relationship with my former CFO and mayor. To be truthful, my current mayor - well, let’s just say he has made it hard for me to shine.

In my defense, I am very reliant on state aid, and - well, the state of that aid is not all it once was; it’s down $11 million since fiscal 2009. (Most communities like me are in the same situation.)

Despite these challenges, I have been working hard to better myself - two years of balanced budgets and a responsible stream of revenue collection. I have stayed away from those awful, budget-busting one-time-revenue fixes and those high-sugar, low-protein budget-balancing tricks. A neat side note about me: While so many other communities have fought with Beacon Hill to get control of their health care costs, I can proudly say my workers and retirees have already moved to the state Group Insurance Commission plan. We saved a ton of money. Everyone should try it!

Anyway…