[RICHARD] Public Servants Should Live in the City Where They Work

Chief Cordeiro should not be allowed to serve as harbormaster if he is not a resident of New Bedford. There is a residency law currently in place and it is the very reason that the last harbormaster was removed from that position.

Why would Mayor Mitchell then turn around and nominate the police chief if the same situation applies to him? He called the show to explain his reasoning. "Given the scale of the port of New Bedford, I think we need security professionals in charge."

There is no question that Chief Cordeiro is qualified for the job. However, for Cordeiro to be the harbormaster, there would have to be a waiver of the residency law. Why have a rule if you are just going to bend it on your own terms?

"The guy grew up in the South End, has built a trust across the community and had a terrific first year."