WHAT’S SO URGENT ABOUT
Mariano lends his name to questionable candidate
What the hell was House Speaker Ron Mariano thinking last night when he went to Holbrook for a fundraiser for an obese, greedcrazed local hack Democrat named Daniel Lee? I understand, Mariano’s spent his entire political career at the State House surrounded by dodgy pols so crooked that they need a corkscrew to get into their trousers in the morning.
But really, in his political dotage at age 76, shouldn’t the Speaker— or someone around him — have had sense enough to tell him that he shouldn’t go down to Lucky’s 777 to fete one of the sleazier local hacks on the current political scene?
Look at the invitation — Mariano’s name is at the top. He was the draw, for obvious reasons. He’s the second most powerful person in state government. He controls the money.
The name Dan Lee may not ring a bell — with the collapse of local newspapers, municipal politicians don’t get nearly as much scrutiny as they used to. Most get none whatsoever.
Lee is a selectman in the town of Holbrook, running for re-election. And he is a real piece of work. Channel 5 took him down a few pegs in 2021, and the headlines sum up the way the scandal developed:
“Landlord says top town official used COVID eviction ban to avoid paying rent.”
“Holbrook town official agrees to pay thousands in back rent.”
“Bid to oust Holbrook selectman over use of eviction moratorium protection.”
And of course the final inevitable news, since this is Massachusetts: “Holbrook politicians reinstate controversial head of Select Board.”
And now after trying to beat his elderly landlady
out of $1,275 a month in rent, Lee is running for re-election. And the hackerama is behind him 100%.
Of course Mr. and Mrs. Lee both had hack jobs at Town Hall. He’s in the town Department of Public Works, making about $62,000 a year.
His wife is Brenda Lee, but not the “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” Brenda Lee. No, this Brenda Lee is rockin’ around the hackerama tree. She used to work at Town Hall, but last year
Ron Mariano hired her at the State House for $57,240 a year.
Another nationwide search!
Despite making six figures, as soon as the rent “moratorium” kicked in, the Lees signed forms claiming they didn’t have to pay rent because of the Panic. That year they made $109,430.50 from the Town.
Their landlady, 79-yearold Michaele Rodgers, told Channel 5 in 2021, “They don’t have any souls, or hearts, because they’re taking advantage of us, they really are…. He said, ‘I don’t have to pay anymore. I’ve got proof that I don’t have to pay because I qualify for aid.’”
Less than a year after they stopped paying rent, the Lees moved into a new home worth $443,000. They own that home, in addition to a cottage on Sebago Lake in Casco ME.
Selectman Lee did not return calls placed yesterday to both the DPW yard and Town Hall in Holbrook. On social media,
Mrs. Rodgers’ daughter says her parents are still owed thousands by the Democrat power couple.
I always used to associate Holbrook with Andy Card, the former state rep who later served as George W. Bush’s chief of staff during 9/11. Kind of staid, straight-laced and swamp Yankee.
But when Dorchester began emptying out in the 1970’s, everyone who couldn’t afford to buy in Milton, Quincy or Braintree ended up in Holbrook. It filled up with