Yesterday’s Lowell Sun’s “The Column” had a few paragraphs on City Manager Bernie Lynch’s plans to ask the City Council to reinstate the position of Assistant to the City Manager. I am not going to review the whole history, we all know what happened. But just in case, here is [...]
Update: Check out this link…not sure who this org is but they purport to grade Congresspeople on their votes to help the middle class. Capuano gets very high marks every year they have a score.
A friend pointed out this ACLU questionnaire where the four Democrats give answers on [...]
With only one week to go, we the voters of the Democratic primary need to choose our pick to replace the irreplaceable Ted Kennedy, who will go on to the general election in January (and let’s face it, on to the Senate). My endorsement comes late but no less enthusiastic. [...]
I missed this piece of news, but H1N1 is mutating, with devastating results. The mutated strain was found in Norway, but has turned up in France as well, and China reports a mutation problem though details are sketchy.
This is why people made such a huge deal of [...]
The City of Lights parade and Holiday Stroll, the annual tradition the weekend after Thanksgiving, will once again bring Lowell a lot of fun events and kid-centered holiday treats. It gets bigger and better every year, bringing back the old favorites but also adding the Holiday Stocking Stuffer Scavenger [...]
Via Cliff, who comments on Kendall’s Saturday Chat, we have Kendall’s take on the delegation and their being indispensable.
With all due respect that is simply not true, and I agree with Cliff, though we’d disagree on the remedy.
There are several points I would [...]
Via a comment at BMG, I read a blog post showcasing the true numbers in the Senate race. While all the news outlets talk about the double digit lead Coakley enjoys, they fail to mention that a scant 21% of people have made up their minds about who [...]
Prior to tonight’s light-agenda City Council meeting, there isn’t a single Council motion, the Finance Sub-Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m . to discuss how to adjust the FY 2010 budget.
According to a Jen Myers’ article in yesterday’s Sun, the gap is about $264,000. But the key to [...]
Presuming that many readers of LiL and any other local blog, Professor Bob Forrant needs no introduction.
I’ve just received this email relative to “Downtown Talk”. Looks like a great take!
Prof. Bob Forrant of UMass Lowell Regional Development Department will
unpack the economic realities of the “Great Recession” of 2008-09 [...]
Just in case you did not see it, today’s edition of the Boston Sunday Globe features a story on Lowell. The article, “ Flurry of projects broadening Lowell’s cultural vista” written by Globe Correspondent Karen Sackowtiz focuses on recent activities that contribute to the city’s overall economic, social and [...]
I had to open my big mouth last week to my husband. I said to him, wow, I think it’s been a long time since you were sick! Or me…though I get colds less than he does. He tends to get sick at the turn of seasons, so I was [...]
According to a Christopher Scott story in today’s Sun, “City Councilor Jim Milinazzo has the five votes needed to become mayor on Jan. 4, and then some.”
Scott reports that CC Milinazzo has the supports of CCs K. Broderick, B. Martin and CC-elects F. Descoteaux, J. Mendonca and P. Murphy. [...]
Yesterday in New York City, a police car assisting Vice President Joe Biden’s motorcade collided with another vehicle. And on Monday, a sheriff’s vehicle escorting Biden’s motorcade in New Mexico was hit by a car that went around the police vehicles blocking the intersection.
Coincidence? I think not. A [...]
A friend who lives in Lowell sent me this link to a LGBT blog towleroad . This past weekend in Puerto Rico a 19-year-old gay man, Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado was murdered, his body was partially burned, his head decapitated and his limb dismembered. The story was disturbing on [...]
This whole post by Devilstower over at Dailykos sums it up just perfectly. A taste:
Until recently, this boom-bust “business cycle” was kept in check by some measure of pragmatism. But a funny thing happened in the 1980s. As unrepentant conservatives took their fantasy of pure capitalism out of textbooks [...]
In Lowell civic life, that is. If the answer is yes, here is your chance. The City is seeking volunteers for the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC). The committee is responsible for reviewing grant applications and recommending funding allocations to the City Manager for the HUD programs, CDBG (Community Development [...]
This week’s City Council packet contained a 3-page [pages 5 - 7] memo from the City’s Chief Financial Officer, Tom Moses, to City Manager Bernie Lynch regarding the status of the FY 2010 Budget. It is a realistic picture and not a pretty one.
The City Council’s Finance Sub-committee [...]
You can find more description of yesterday’s event and some photos on the City Manager’s blog. The post takes a much more narrative form than mine, describing the event and some quotes from the speakers.
[...]Jackie posts about the Image Theatre’s 5th Annual Keep Your Kids At Home Naughty Readings night.
The event is tomorrow night, Saturday, Nov 14, upstairs at the Old Court, 29 Central Street, beginning at 8 p.m. Seating is limited, so reserve a $25 ticket by calling 978-441-0102, or $28 [...]
From the Department of Planning and Development:
Please join us for a public meeting to view and comment on the preferred design alternative for South Common.
Thursday evening, November 19th
7 pm to 8:30 pm
At the Pollard Memorial Library (next to City Hall)
401 Merrimack Street
Lowell, MA 01852
Sponsored by the [...]
Today’s Hamilton Canal groundbreaking event was really well-run, and very well attended. I saw media folks from NECN, Ted Panos of WCAP, the Sun was there (I stood next to Matt Murphy, where I could get the good photo shots) and LTC was there taping it (I’m sure they will [...]
I attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the Appleton Mills phase of the Hamilton Canal District project. Trinity sponsored a big tent near the site for the speeches and the traditional turning over of shovels, as well as a luncheon the Brush and our own Lowell Art and Design [...]
The title says it all. I have internet access and a laptop and am sitting here.
Note: I’m not hitting every point or thing brought up. Liveblogging is hard work! City Council agenda here.
Question from Elliot on non-local aid hits to City budget:
Lynch: Some grants, other reimbursements from [...]
UTEC (United Teen Equality Center) is celebrating its 10th anniversary and hosting a gala fundraiser. From their website:
Please join us for UTEC’s 10th Anniversary, celebrating 10 years of Peace, Positivity, and Empowerment!
Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Time: 6:00-8:00 PM
Location: 34 Hurd St. Lowell, MA 01852
Tickets are $50 in [...]
According to a memo from City Manager Bernie Lynch to the City Council, available on the City’s web site on the 11.10.09 CC Packet page, we have a new ambulance contract which will bring close to $230,000 in revenue this fiscal year. The contract calls for a 6.5% annual [...]
Hayden waxes unhappy at his coverage on that “Left in whatever.” I love McDonough’s comeback: “This blog you’re talking about, what language is it written in?” Oooh, so clever, you. Hilarious.
By the way, buddy, what we covered and how we called it on this blog, we took from your own [...]
Lowell Film Collaborative is at it again…I have no idea how they find the time to organize all these film viewings! But thank goodness they do - what a great addition to Lowell’s cultural scene. From their latest email:
“Life. Support. Music.”
with special guest performance by Jason Crigler
Thursday, [...]
Today, after reading a Letter-to-the-Editor in today’s Sun asking President Barack Obama to “Leave the salutes to our military men and women”, I immediately contacted one of Lowell’s combat veterans I know (yes, I know a few) Cliff Krieger. I figured since the President is the Commander [...]
I was flabbergasted when I read mrmillcity’s blog post today. I did not want to believe that it was true. But yes, the information is accurate. The Mark of mrmillcity commented on Dan Phelps’ column in yesterday’s Sun, regarding the election results. Phelps wrote “… a female reporter [...]
Almost two years ago to the day, the editor of the Sun, Jim Campanini (JC I) couldn’t wait to let us bloggers have it because in his opinion the 2007 municipal election vindicated his friend, John Cox (JC II), the previous City Manager. (I would link to it but as [...]
Says the Lowell Sun. Elliot is quoted in the breaking news article, including “Pundits will say what they will, but I assure you, securing the necessary five votes is not the primary reason.”
As (I suppose) a pundit, I could say a lot of things. I will refrain. But the [...]
*Phew* so the election season is over…all right, the local election season is over (we’re one month and counting for the special Senate primary, and a year away from 2010 Governor’s race). I hardly know what to do with myself.
I’ve been getting back into reading (sometimes in self defense when [...]
Plenty in the Lowell Sun on Lowell’s landmark election yesterday…
I have to admit, I really like the emphasis on environment and affordable housing that is mentioned by Patrick Murphy in two articles (one profiling him exclusively, here, another mentioning the winners, here). Bold mine.
Conservation. Using Lowell’s “vast resources,” [...]
The biggest disappointment for me of course was the results of the Choice voting initiative, and the turnout which didn’t increase after all (though we did see new voters and bigger turnout in sections of the city which are key).
Choice voting lost 43% to 57%, a pretty large margin [...]
On to another subject of analysis…the two School Committee races.
I have to admit to being astounded by the bleed of votes away from Faticanti. She has been a strong vote getter for so long, I thought there would be a larger unshakable core. Never been more happy to be so [...]
I am working off of very little sleep after a couple of glasses of celebratory wine. It was a good night for change!
There is a lot you can say about the races and the initiative that we voted on yesterday, and a lot will be said. Might as well jump [...]
I’ll be around hither and thither…here’s an open thread for election day. Did you vote? What are you seeing? Unlike Mr. Mill City, we didn’t do a fantasy team (pretty funny) or anything…but after today we’ll know what sort of Lowell we are.
So get out and vote!
[...]No, not the City Council (though, that too) but your catch basins! The CM’s blog has a post reminding people that fall debris stuck around or on a catch basin will cause problems later on (street flooding and the like). So do your part. I especially like the smiley [...]
Just reiterating my previous post with my personal choices for the ballot. Whatever you do, get your fanny out to vote tomorrow!!!
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Vote YES on Question One, Choice Voting. Here’s why I think the anti arguments are silly.
On the GL Tech High School, I endorse with all emphasis Fred [...]
They forgot all the times he voted on things he shouldn’t have as both a City Councilor and on the Zoning Board of Appeals before he was not renewed. But other than that, here’s just a little summary of the reasons not to reelect Mr. Kazanjian.
PS - I had [...]
I really wish I had more time to promote all the cultural stuff that happens in Lowell. I get tons of emails but don’t always get the info on the front page. To remedy that, here’s info on a free concert on Friday Nov 13th from the Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra! [...]
If you listen to WCAP or read the Lowell Sun today, you’ll see or hear ads from Move Lowell Forward PAC (I am co-chair along with Cliff Krieger of Right-Side-of-Lowell). Thanks to generous contributions from a lot of people we could afford to [...]
