We have every intention of doing our part. We’re waiting to see what the State and the City are going to do. A teacher friend of mine posted that on my Facebook page in response to my Post “Fight is On ! Time for City Workers to Stand Up To Teachers Union”

That was after she posted what are probably the true feelings of many of the Lowell teachers “You’re joking, right? Try walking in any teachers’ shoes in the City for one day and then come back and tell me that we’re greedy. Most people have NO CLUE what we do for YOUR children.

I believe many teachers feel that way.Most people have NO CLUE what we do for YOUR children.I haven’t been in a classroom in 7 years, but 7 years ago when I was out of work for a short time I subbed at the Greater Lowell Tech. I saw kids who have no regard for teachers or authority. Kids who are brought up to think the Sun rises and sets over them because Mom and Dad have raised them that way and they think they are never wrong. Kids who were passed on when they didn’t have the knowledge required because the teacher can’t take it anymore and the parents would sue if you wanted to keep their little one back.

I’m not saying that a teachers job is easy but it is a job you chose and I agree it gets harder each year because many parents don’t teach their kids respect for authority, discipline or values. They can’t teach what they themselves don’t have. I also believe that individually you may have the intention of doing your part but most of us don’t see that.

What we see is Paul Georges and his constant statements that it is the CITY and other UNIONS that have to cut not his. I know as the Union President, his job is to protect his union. The difference is that in the worst economic recession since the 30′s his EGO and his need for publicity and Union rhetoric is painting ALL the teachers as selfish and greedy.

Paul wants the limelight. Paul wants to say MY UNION gave up nothing! Paul doesn’t care about the teacher who has been here 1-4 years. They come and go. They will be the one sacrificed. They are the new and energetic teachers who aren’t yet frustrated with the system and the kids. Paul Georges cares about his EGO and what he can brag about to his UNION buddies. So what if we lose a few jobs. To hell with the kids. We have a Great medical plan and no member took a cut or furlough. It’s not about the kids with Paul it’s about PAUL and his UNION EGO!

He makes the teachers union look like they don’t care about anyone but themselves I do believe if you asked many individual teachers they would tell you what my friend told me ” We have every intention of doing our part. We’re waiting to see what the State and the City are going to do.”

Well the waiting is over! The state has pretty well already told you and so has the city and yet your Union President continues to make you all look greedy and uncaring for other City services.

The facts are there is no money and every other Union has stepped up and worked with the city. Except yours and your President continues to make your Union a target of dislike and make you all look self centered and greedy.

It is time for the TEACHERS OF LOWELL to tell Paul GEORGES to shut up, sit down and negotiate with the Supt and School Committee who can then appeal to the Council and Manager after showing a willingness to sacrifice.

Until then when you receive you layoff notice, don’t blame the Manager, Council or School Committee. Blame your President who you have allowed to put you in this position.

To: Paul George’s – Supt. Chris Scott
School Committee Member Alison Laraba

From: Gerry Nutter

Subject: Budget

Since you all so far have refused to accept reality and make the required cuts in the Schools Budget and continue to make comments like:

Georges:It is going to take a further cut by the city.

Laraba: That the committee present the City Council with the $141 million level service budget and ask everyone who spoke last night to tell the council “this is what we need to fund our schools.”

Then I am asking you to put your mouth where the City Money is. Show us the Cuts! Tell the Residents, City Council and Manager where the extra money you deem is yours should come from.

Paul Georges tell and show every other City Union President and membership where their members aren’t needed and where their jobs can be eliminated without effecting City services.

Chris Scott tell the other City dept. heads why you large dept. deserves more money then theirs do and show them where they can cut.

Alison Laraba you’ve been a school committee member since January, show City Councilor Bud Caulfield, Rita Mercier, Rodney Elliot and Bill Martin who have been dealing with budgets for years where the cuts have to be made. You have all the answers so share them with us.

You have all publicly stated that the Schools need the $$$ or DEVASTATION will result. So put your big mouths where the money is and tell us. Tell the Manager and his staff why they are wrong. Show us how closing fire houses, closing parks and pools, cutting Library hours or raising property taxes is the right move.

You must have the answer’s since you and the teachers Union refuses to negotiate any reduction or give backs as the other city unions have.

Gov. Deval Patrick cut local aid halfway through the 2009 fiscal year, which trimmed the School Department’s aid by $604,000. The district did not fill positions, and used surpluses in the sick-leave buyback and energy accounts. The city side was left to make up $2.5 million. To avoid layoffs, non union employees (including Lynch) took a three-day furlough, as did: members of the city’s Engineers’ Union; Local 1705, representing Department of Public Works personnel, clerical staff and dispatchers; Local 2532, representing middle management; the Merrimack Valley Employees Association, which includes water and wastewater personnel; the city’s inspectors; the school and public health nurses; and the City Councilors. The Firefighters’ Union agreed to give up pay for two of their 12 paid holidays.

Last spring, as the city faced a $13 million budget shortfall and the schools were left to cut $8 million, the firefighters, Local 1705, several of the city’s employee unions , including firefighters, superior officers, Local 1705, the Merrimack Valley Employees Association, and Local 2532 agreed to forgo their raises for fiscal 2010, saving $1.2 million.

Even Supt.Scott and her four assistant superintendents also declined raises. The School Clerks Union offered $30,449.36 in concessions, agreeing to give back five workdays stipulated in their contract and forgoing their July 4 holiday in exchange for taking July 3 off.

Concessions never came from either the UTL or the LSAA (Lowell School Administrator’s Association

So since you seem to think you know what is best, show us the cuts. Let’s see if any 1 of you have the backbone or courage to stand up and tell people they don’t count and you are more important than them.

My guess is the 3 of you don’t have a spine or the courage to so so. You want to stand there and say I’m fighting for the kids but don’t have the guts to justify why the Teachers and Administrator’s Association should not have to do what all the others unions did. You just want to make yourselves look goo and be able to say I fought my best, without providing any solution. You 3 think you know best so SHOW US THE MONEY ! Where do we CUT?

The 9 Councilors and the City Manager hopefully will take a stand and defend all these other unions who worked WITH the CITY over the TEACHERS UNION who has NOT.

The Sun on its breaking news section has the story of the passing of Ken Harkins.

Ken was a Lowell Realtor who was so comfortable with a Mic in his hand you would have thought he was an emcee full-time. In the early days of the City Manager’s St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast Ken was the Master of Ceremonies and was always funny and quick.

He leaves a wife of 56 years, Teresa, and five children.

“I have a crummy health-care plan with a $2,000 deductible, that is the real world, That was the message Jim Leary was trying to get through to his fellow members and the Teacher Union last Night but they still don’t want to hear it.

Committee member Jim Leary said the schools cannot go to the city asking for more money when “we have issues here we do not attack aggressively,” including the teachers union’s reluctance to give up the expensive Master Medical indemnity plan.

Jim Leary gets it. He has said on this Blog on several occasions: we are in this together….And, we need to work together not fight It’s to bad that the teacher Union and his fellow members don’t feel the same way.

Paul Georges being the typical Union mouthpiece continues to say:It is going to take a further cut by the city.” While also talking out of the other side of his mouth by first stating: Everybody needs to work together to bridge the budget gap, By EVERYONE Paul means ANYONE BUT HIS UNION MEMBERS!

New Member Alison Laraba who has a personal interest in keeping a program that serves 37 of the elite students doesn’t care about the rest of the city workers either. She like Paul Georges wants a fight and wants to pit the City versus the schools suggesting : That the committee present the City Council with the $141 million level service budget and ask everyone who spoke last night to tell the council “this is what we need to fund our schools.”

The committee last night adopted Superintendent of Schools Chris Scott’s $137.2 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The recommendation includes $4 million in cuts from the $141.3 million level-service budget, a $2.5 million (1.8 percent) increase over the current budget.

Scott warned the committee that before all is said and done, it could be asked to make up to $3.5 million in additional cuts. A fact that she has known for weeks yet the Supt. along with the Teachers Union and School Committee have taken the tact that we are going in with a loaded gun to point at the head of 9 City Councilors and the Manager and DARE them to cut the schools more.

They want to paint these 10 people as the bad guys instead of working with the City and taking Jim Leary’s position that we need to work together not fight. They want a fight!

I am URGING EVERY Police Officer, Fire fighter, Water Dept, Park+ Rec Worker, DPW employee EVERY CITY EMPLOYEE whose union made concessions or gave up Master Medical, took a wage freeze or furlough day to get your wife, kids, in-laws and everyone you can to email the School SUPT. cscott@lowell.k12.ma.us and call or fax the Teachers Union President Paul Georges (978) 441-1939 Fax: (978) 937-9544 and tell them your story of living paycheck to paycheck because of what you gave up and how you appreciate the fact you still have a job and that they should have the Teachers Union step up and do the right thing. They want a fight…give them one before they take YOUR JOB !.

Go to the Lowell School Committee Contact page and send them the same emails. Make them listen before YOU find yourself unemployed because of PAUL GEORGES and TEACHERS UNION.

This was sent to the Pawtucketville Citizens Council to forward to all
Sent: Fri, May 28, 2010 8:51 am
Subject: New Flood Zone Maps Bring Accuracy – And Higher Insurance Rates | WBUR

For those who may not know they are now in a flood zone.

“Residents in soon-to-be high-risk areas can still buy flood insurance at their low rates — but only until the maps go into effect. That gives them one week. It’s required for any high-risk flood zone home or business whose mortgage is backed by the federal government. But the insurance is subsidized by the feds, too. Pawlik says Middlesex County residents who will be in a newly designated high-risk flood zone can still buy insurance today to be grandfathered in under the low-risk rate. If they wait until after the maps go effective, they will be subject to buying a policy for that high risk area,” Pawlik said.That can cost two or three times as much. It’s why Pawlik wants Middlesex County residents to get on it. The deadline is a week from today.”

“It’s required for any high-risk flood zone home or business whose mortgage is backed by the federal government. But the insurance is subsidized by the feds, too. Pawlik says Middlesex County residents who will be in a newly designated high-risk flood zone can still buy insurance today to be grandfathered in under the low-risk rate. If they wait until after the maps go effective, they will be subject to buying a policy for that high risk area,” Pawlik said. That can cost two or three times as much. It’s why Pawlik wants Middlesex County residents to get on it. The deadline is a week from today.”

Go to Fema Map Service and look for this

Are you trying to determine if your house is in a flood hazard area?

The map associated with your property may be found using the Map Search feature. Note that when viewing the flood map containing your property, the location of your address will not be pinpointed on the flood map. If you require assistance with this tool, please contact the MSC Customer Service Department at (877) 336-2627

Election notes from Facebook :
Chris Doherty hope to see everyone tonight Thursday at The Old Court in Lowell for his 1st Middlesex State Senate Kick Off.

Sam S Meas for Congress: We Need to First Secure our borders and All Points of Entry to the United States of America. Then We Need to Vigorously Enforce the Federal Immigration Laws that are already on the book. One of the primary functions of the Federal government – President & Congress – is to protect and secure the sovereign territorial integrity OUR COUNTRY. The current Congress IS NOT Performing THIS critical Function. We Need to Recycle Congress.

Niki Tsongas FROM THE CAMPAIGN:
This campaign is powered by influential grassroots supporters like you. That is why we’re launching a new tool that allows you to easily create your own personal fundraising pages and spread the word to friends and family. Can you help out by setting one up? Also We’ve opened a new campaign office in Hudson. It is located at 19 Main St. If you’re in the area, stop by and say hello

Eileen Donoghue for State Senate: Great to meet so many new faces in Lowell – thanks again to Tom and Victoria for hosting a terrific event!

Debbie Silberstein For Senate: Local community activist Debbie Silberstein last night kicked off her grassroots campaign for State Senate asking voters for their ideas on how state government should be serving them better (Great Website to click into)

Barry Finegold for State Senate: A HUGE thank you to Krissy and Phil Polimeno for opening up their home to me and allowing me to tell all their friends about my campaign for senate. It was a great night.

John Kelly for State Senate: spoke at the Greater Lowell Area Democrats’ breakfast this morning. Then we went over to Frost School in Lawrence to shake hands at the Mt. Vernon Neighborhood Association. Made it back to Dracut in time to watch all of Frankie’s T-ball game.

a few other things….

met Kevin Murphy for the 1st time at Barry Finegold’s Dracut Event this past Sunday. Rep. Murphy could have easily and understandably ignored me, yet he shook hands and when I asked if I could meet him to discuss my views on conflict of interest and other items I have said about him, he welcomed the opportunity and invited me to call him anytime. I may not agree with him but I respect a person willing to take criticism and willing to talk and defend his beliefs. Unlike another Rep. who turtles when you ask him why he did something Rep. Murphy seemed pleasant and willing to talk and answer. I plan on following up with him in the next few weeks

School Committee member Jim Leary maybe correct when he reminds me that we are in this together….And, we need to work together not fight..Jim need to get that message through to Paul Georges, the teachers Union and Supt. Scott because they seem hell-bent on an US against Them fight and I’m with the THEM until US gives back.

Wang Schools banned Silly Bandz because they are a distraction in class. What’s next? Tickle Me Elmo’s and Crayons? Please, if a teacher doesn’t have control banning Silly Bandz the colorful bracelets in shapes ranging from dinosaurs to castles, geckos to guitars won’t change that.

Nice to see George O’Hare on the City Life show the other Morning. I missed most of the show but understand he mentioned me. Guess he wasn’t pleased with my comment on why he missed the meeting. He was informed I posted a retraction but that didn’t seem to matter. Oh well. maybe I’ll just send him a Santoro’s gift cert. as a get well gift.

Speaking of Santoro, has anyone heard whether the new Supt. plans on filling her old post? Wonder if it will be a nation wide search like the one used for her. Probably better they just let her pick.

Good Luck to the Manager and Council on the budget debate. I don’t envy anyone who has to make the choices they do in cutting programs and jobs. Hard enough to lay people off and cut hours as I have done in the last year, let alone do it and then ask people to vote for you. These 9 who volunteer to run and serve get a lot of respect here. I would not want their job.

A 7,930 square-foot expansion project will kick off Rivier College’s plan for future development of the Muldoon Fitness Center. An integral component of recruitment and retention of Rivier College students, the Muldoon Center is the home of the Raiders athletic program and the site of a variety of health and wellness activities for members of the Greater Nashua communities.

I never remember so many kids falling out windows when I was a kid. Maybe that’s because we were taught that if you go near them you could fall. Also we were always watched closely. Too many kids are placed in front of the TV and forgotten today.

Can’t wait to take my daughter to see SHREK this weekend. I’m an overgrown kid when it comes to Disney and these types of family movies.