http://www.salemnews.com/news/local_news/no-bid-deal-smoothed-the-way-for-new-sports-complex/article_aaed6b65-7d29-577d-9f74-ac95a70e73f0.html
Behind the scenes
One of the key people behind the passage of the special legislation was Jack McGlynn, a Salem-based attorney and lobbyist who also works as outside counsel to Essex Tech.
McGlynn played a significant role in guiding the legislation that created Essex Tech. According to state records, the North Shore Regional Vocational School District paid McGlynn $217,000 as a lobbyist from 2005 to 2010 while the merger was being developed.
A state law pushed by then-Gov. Deval Patrick eventually banned the practice of state entities hiring outside lobbyists. McGlynn, however, continued to work for the school district as legal counsel on matters such as health care, pensions, and the sports complex plan.
McGlynn has been paid approximately $24,000 over the last two years by Essex Tech for his advice on the sports complex and other issues, according to the school district. In 2014, he landed another employer regarding the project -- Essex Sports Center LLC.
According to state records, the company hired McGlynn on Feb. 14, 2014, to lobby for passage of the legislation that would specify Essex Sports Center as the developer. Ten days later, O'Connell and McGlynn hosted a meeting for local legislators at Essex Tech to introduce the developer, Brian DeVellis of Edge Sports Group, and explain the project.
Two weeks after that, Speliotis and Tarr filed the bill, "An Act authorizing for the lease of property at Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School."
According to state records, Essex Sports Center paid McGlynn $25,000 for his lobbying efforts. McGlynn said he saw no conflict in working for the developer and Essex Tech because they were both looking to achieve the same goal.
"There was a common purpose here," he said. "There were no adversaries."
McGlynn has also been regular contributor to the campaigns of local legislators. Speliotis said McGlynn has contributed to every fundraiser he has held since he was elected in 1997.
"It doesn't matter to me," Speliotis said of McGlynn's influence. "You do the right thing."
Staff writer Paul Leighton can be reached at 978-338-2675 or pleighton@salemnews.com.
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http://www.salemnews.com/news/local_news/no-bid-deal-smoothed-the-way-for-new-sports-complex/article_aaed6b65-7d29-577d-9f74-ac95a70e73f0.html
