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Fri column ping
How to qualify for a state ‘job’
By Howie Carr | Friday, December 18, 2009 | http://www.bostonherald.com | Columnists

You don’t have to give money to Deval Patrick if you want a six-figure state job but . . .

If you don’t do the right thing by Deval, it certainly doesn’t hurt to do the right thing for Barack.

The following names and statistics came from a cursory reading of questionnaires submitted by some of Deval’s recent appointees to the judiciary and the Parole Board ($93,000 annual salary).

* Let’s start with Pamela Dashiell, now of the Dorchester District Court, formerly the $114,945-a-year “director of planning and policy development” for the state trial court administrative office.

Judge Dashiell gave $500 to Deval in 2006 and $300 last year. Frederick Dashiell of the same address ponied up $650 and Lindsey Dashiell, ditto. (In an amazing coincidence, there’s also a Lindsey Dashiell on the state payroll, for $41,637 a year.) The future judge in 2008 gave $250 to the Obama Victory Fund.

Did I mention Judge Dashiell was born in . . . Chicago?
* Come on down, Margaret R. Guzman, nominated to the Dudley District Court in June, to replace Paul V. Mullaney, who retired Nov. 21, 1989 - hey, I’m just reading Deval’s own letter to Governor’s Council. Obviously quite an important judgeship, having been left vacant for almost 20 years, and filled only during a year of billion-dollar budget deficits.

But Mags is eminently qualified. Her husband gave Deval $500 in 2006 and chipped in $100 the same year. Barry got a C-note last year.

At least Judge Guzman’s got some experience in the Dreaded Private Sector. I quote: “From 7/03 to 12/08 . . . I was the owner of a hair salon.”
* Let’s move on to the Parole Board. Roger Michel, appointed last month. He gave $500 to Obama in September 2008. He joined Cesar Archilla, who gave $250 to Deval in 2006.

I inquired yesterday as to the governor’s official payoff, I mean campaign-contribution policy. The deal is, “commencing with the submission of the application” a wannabe judge or clerk-magistrate can’t take care of the gov, the lieutenant gov or members of the Governor’s Council.

Once nominated, you can’t give to anybody - even Obama! Of course, if you’ve given nothing to nobody, why even waste 44 cents mailing in an application? If you haven’t ponied up, you ain’t gonna get nominated, period.

My favorite contribution reported this year was made by Shannon Frison, appointed to the District Court two months ago. Judge Frison took care of indicted ex-Sen. Dianne Wilkerson back in 2002. Next time, a lot more names, numbers, and maybe even a chart.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/columnists/view.bg?articleid=1219691