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!!!
—
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 [...]
In the midst of all the politicking and rhetoric, it’s nice to see something positive about our schools. From the office of the Superintendent, a press release showcasing how Lowell quite holds its own in the new growth measures from the state.
Lowell demonstrates strength in new state growth measures
[LOWELL] – [...]
Whatever smalls shreds of respect I might have still had for members of our state delegation are now completely gone. They have, to a man, cast their lot with a guy whose questionable ethics in multiple arenas of business and politics is Lowell’s worst kept secret ever.
Since I have [...]
Margaret over at Jackie’s blog has a great, very cogent essay as to why she supports Choice Voting (Yes on Question One). A good read no matter where you stand.
[...]The longest and most important video of them all, Governance Issues. This is section number seven and the final video of our series. We hope you enjoy it, and that we have contributed to the debate in some small way.
All the videos are on a single page here, which [...]
Interesting that the Lowell Sun is going to stream live from the ‘Shamrock on Tuesday night as results come in. (It says a lot that they are going there instead of City Hall for official results, as Pangiotakos’ people spread throughout the city and get the results the fastest.) [...]
Not election related, but very cool:
The City of Lowell and the Lower Highlands Neighborhood Group welcome the graduate students from MIT’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning for the first community meeting on the LOWER HIGHLANDS NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN on WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28 from 7:00-9:00PM at the Boys and Girls Club [...]
Listening to Milinazzo’s motion now…seconded…by Kazanjian! He shouldn’t even be in the room as far as I know…nevermind participating in seconding and discussion on his. own. property.
Someone want to clue me in, here?
[...]Second to last video. The last one is the doozy! But this one is good…mostly questions about Public Safety.
[...]
In case anyone is wondering, here is my final rundown on where I stand on candidates, endorsements, and recommendations.
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 Bahou (interview here), [...]
If you haven’t had a chance to check out Bad Karma’s post at “Choosing a Soundtrack” on last night’s forum, go read it. He’s got some interesting things to say (some harsh, but all observant) but I thought the most interesting was this:
the highlight of the evening, of course, [...]
“Rumor” (and you know what rumor will buy you in this town…) has it that Mr. Kazanjian will have a big ol’ ad in the Lowell Sun this weekend with some “big names” “standing by him” (enough air quotes?) in his “time of trial.” (I mean trial in the most [...]
Jackie has a nice rant up about how some people’s news appears to be more important, right before an election, than others’.
WCAP appears to have a habit of allowing hours of airtime for just certain people despite their current candidacy, to speak on “news matters” while others get to [...]
The Sun came out against Choice Voting in a Sun editorial. Here’s some holes I find in their reasoning. (It took only a couple seconds of reading it to find them.) For instance, they say:
Under choice voting, a candidate for City Council can secure one of the nine seats [...]
I had gotten this email from the Patrick campaign too, and I meant to post it, but in my usual keep-the-emails-all-open-til-you-deal-with-it-then-Vista-reboots-on-you fashion, I didn’t, but here it is. HT the New Englander for the reminder. But anyway, as someone who’s been dinkering around with video a lot lately, I [...]
On the previous incarnation of Michael Hayden’s official website for his campaign for Lowell tech school committee, Hayden pronounced that you could, for $2, get one of his bumper stickers on his signature issue. He even took credit cards!
Is he maybe a tad ashamed of the material on his [...]
Another section of answers from the 11 candidates who came in to videotape their answers with us. This is part three - General Economic Development.
[...]
…that none of the candidates were making any hay from the troubles of our embattled Mr. Kazanjian. Per Mimi’s comment linking to the agenda for next week’s Council meeting:
15. C. Milinazzo-Req. Mgr. provide full report on Sewer Connection @ 190 Middlesex St. Chelmsford etc.
I wonder just how [...]
I don’t often take points of personal privilege on this blog (well, except that almost all my posts are of course editorials and my opinion) but I have a good friend who is in need of help.
Patrick Faherty is a local resident who has been a quadriplegic since an accident [...]
Another chance to hear from the City Council candidates, this time sponsored by the Lowell Downtown Neighborhood Association, JAMBRA, and the Greater Lowell Chamber. It’s being held on Monday, October 26th, at the Senior Center
Broadway St. It starts with an informal meet & greet at 6:30 PM, then the [...]
We had Rep. Capuano on Left Ahead! tonight and it’s available for you to listen to. I think we covered a lot of ground and I like what he had to say.
Rep. Capuano joined the podcast about 20 minutes in so previous to that is some chatter about various [...]
Dick has the schedule for Channel 22 replays of two candidate forums, the United Teachers of Lowell joint forum, and the SC-only debate held by the Citywide Parent Council. I heard there were some veeeeery interesting comments by Rita Mercier at the former. I am trying to get the [...]
I’ve been gathering my thoughts for some time about this post. But one thing is for sure - this is an anti-endorsement for Michael Hayden for Greater Lowell Tech. School Committee. I seriously recommend NOT ticking off his name come November 3rd. In fact, I beg you, do not let [...]
If you want to use the Lowell sewer connection, construct your building in Lowell, not Chelmsford.
Today’s Lowell Sun has a lengthy, investigative article, written by Chris Scott, on the new building located at 190 Middlesex Street constructed by Kazanjian Enterprises and currently owned by a Dracut couple.
A new [...]
This is a slightly shorter video, encompassing two questions with regards to Hamilton Canal/JAM; one on evaluating the progress in revitalizing this area of the city, and the second the Lowell Transitional Living Center. I’ve also taken these two first sections and put them into an episode for LTC to [...]
OK with a badly timed vacation and all, these are later than I wanted them to be…but they were a lot of fun to tape, and the editing is begun in earnest. This is the first video of seven, and the second one will be released very soon (today, I [...]
I always forget to promote our Left Ahead! podcast but today’s might be of keen interest to LiL readers. We’re interviewing Senate candidate Mike Capuano in a specially scheduled podcast at 6:15pm tonight Thursday, available for live streaming at Blog Talk Radio.
The show will be available for streaming [...]
Periodically, I find amusement in reading through the topix feedback at the Lowell Sun.
A few weeks back on at least two articles, I noticed that the title of the article to be commented on, didn’t match the content.
This morning, I went to the Lowell Sun website and [...]
OK so I’ll mention it, at the last minute, because it would be silly not to…but tonight is the opening night of the Poetry Festival, being held at the Lowell National Park Visitor Center, 246 Market Street, at 7pm. It will be a night featuring local poets. Yes, that includes [...]
Two more events…
Tonight, Oct 14, Fair Vote Lowell is holding a campaign party from 5:00 to 8:00pm at 9 Central Street, Suite 203. Snacks and beverages will be provided.
Tomorrow night, Oct 15, Jackie Doherty is hosting a fundraiser for her campaign for reelection at the Mambo Grill, 5 - 7:30pm, [...]
JAMBRA is hosting their Lowell City Council Candidates Night today, October 14th, 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Cappy’s Copper Kettle at 245 Central Street.
[...]If you go to any events this weekend at the Mass Poetry Fest, you’ll more than likely run into me, since I’ve signed up for just about every slot available (and regretted having to select only one class or event in some cases!).
More so than even the Folk Fest, [...]
One of the top candidate forums of the local campaign season is coming up next week: UTEC’s Youth-Led Council forum.
From their release:
On behalf of the young people of the United Teen Equality Center (UTEC), in partnership with the Lowell Teen Coalition, we write to officially announce our upcoming Youth-Led [...]
Patrick Murphy, the Lowell City Council candidate has been invited to participate in a panel discussion at , at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell on “Government Representation and Diversity in Lowell.” The discussion will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, October 13 and begin at 6:00 p..m. Murphy will be [...]
If you’ve been wondering about my absence for the last few days, we were visiting family in sunny Florida. We’re about to board the plane, so here’s a fresh open thread for you.
Sigh, it’s like 85F outside right now. Just looked at the Manchester airport temps…32F. Meh!
Anything interesting happen while [...]
Those of you who know me know that I am an Armenian-American. And those of you who are my facebook friend know that I have spent two of the past three Saturdays in New York City demonstrating against the signing of a diplomatic protocol between the current government of Armenia [...]
Yesterday morning during his regular Thursday morning appearance on WCAP, political commentator and radio host Warren Shaw discussed the upcoming Lowell municipal election. He characterized the interest has limited and thought that the incumbents will most likely be elected.
As I had stated in a previous post, last night there were [...]
Thanks to Lynne who attended the Centraville Neighborhood Action Group Candidate Forum on September 21, 2009 to video tape it and the LTC productions staff that edited the video, you now have an opportunity to watch the City Council candidates express their views and positions on the issues at [...]
We have been made aware of a number of campaign fundraising events this week.
City Councilor Kevin Broderick’s committee will be hosting his event at Garcia Brogans on Thursday, October 8, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
There will be a fundraiser for City Councilor candidate Joe Mendonca at the offices of Gallagher [...]
I recorded an interview with Fred Bahou, candidate for the Regional Vocational School Committee. It’s about 12 and 1/2 minutes long and ranges on several topics about the Vocational School Committee.
[...]The Sun has the breaking news:
District Attorney Gerard T. Leone has subpoenaed city records related to dozens of properties and businesses either owned or developed by City Councilor Alan Kazanjian, The Sun has learned.
The subpoena is dated Sept. 28. It is signed by Assistant District Attorney Doug Cannon and [...]
In breaking news, Councilors R. Mercier and Mayor Caulfield are reporting that some/many of their campaign signs have been “stolen”. To further this travesty of justice another candidate reported that “one” of their signs had been stolen. Here is today’s full story.
Good grief! While I realize that signs are [...]
As mentioned previously, we’ve been working on putting together comprehensive information on our endorsement process. It takes time to do all of these things and I hope you’ll have patience with us. The full write up of our process is now on our website. Though the last thread on [...]
Jackie has a great post about the recent choice voting article in the Lowell Sun; how it took Gail Cenik of the Election and Census Commission out of context and, in effect, made her look like she said something she didn’t. (Anyone know much about this new reporter, [...]
I don’t have a ton of time, but since a number of events have been sent to me today to post, I wanted to get them up.
Paul Belley has a fundraiser on Thursday, October 1st from 6:00 p.m to 9:00 p.m. at the Longmeadow Golf Club, 165 Havilah Street, Lowell, [...]
After a very thorough and exacting process, including extensive questionnaires, perusing incumbent voting history, and examining the backgrounds, experience, and campaigns of candidates who submitted answers to the PAC, Move Lowell Forward has announced its slate of nine for the City Council race.
We really want to thank everyone [...]
If you read yesterday’s Sun article “Club loses license for 17 days” written by Dennis Shaughnessey, you may be asking yourself what was License Commissioner and City Council Candidate, Ray Weicker thinking.
And this what the reporter wrote:
A troubled nightclub in the Centralville section of the city has [...]
The sole challenger for School Committee, Alison Laraba, has launched her website, larabaforlowell.com. Full disclosure: I helped her with the website and some literature.
If you haven’t met Alison yet, you should. She is a dedicated mom who decided to run when she saw no one else stepping up to [...]
Two things:
First, today and tomorrow is the citywide Lowell Open Studios. Along with this, is the weekend long Arts Festival! Studios are open from noon to 5pm today and tomorrow. Please go and spend some time there. And think about people you might want to buy Christmas gifts [...]
I was not happy that the Governor and the majority of the Democratic-controlled Massachusetts legislature decided to change the rules in mid-stream for obvious political reasons. That Senate seat should have been left empty until the people had an opportunity to vote
And by the way, this has nothing to do [...]
You know those people who do not understand the concept of a cross walk when they are walking downtown, well they are back. You can easily spot them because they are usually wearing a back pack, either listening to their MP3, talking on the phone or texting. I am impressed [...]
Another candidate’s night tonight:
The Cupples Square Business Association, Friends of Tyler Park, Highlands Neighborhood Association and the Lower Highlands Neighborhood Group are hosting the CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES NIGHT TONIGHT from 6:00 - 8:30PM at the Pailin City Restaurant at 6-12 Branch Street.
A flyer with more information is attached.
The event is [...]
City Councilor Challenger Joe Mendonca’s campaign committee is hosting a fundraiser this week:
Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Time: 7 – 9 p.m.
Location: Portuguese American Center on Charles Street
Requested Contribution: $25
E-mail: joe@Mendonca.org
Web: www.Mendonca.org
[...]Dick Howe posted MMC’s tweets, which gives a basic overview of the action last night from his perspective. Jackie has also posted as well.
It was a well-run event, CNAG is obviously old hands at this. 20 ballot-placed candidates plus Patricia Stratton (running a write-in) were there. Curtis [...]
Arg, meant to post this before now, but if you have tonight available, the CNAG (Centralville Neighborhood Action Group) is hosting their “Coffee with the Candidates” night tonight, 6:30pm at the Dom Polski Club Colburn Street and Lakeview Ave.
This will have a bit of a forum-like format so it’s worth [...]
Jackie has a well-written op-ed in the Lowell Sun criticizing a previous Sun piece promoting the “grades” given out for our school system that she believes are flawed.
I can’t pretend to know enough to make my own determination, but I’m not too enamored of the Pioneer Institute, so anything [...]
