We start off with a look at a busy SUN Sunday Political Column…
“Not that there’s anything wrong with it”: It starts off by raising questions about promotions in the Lowell Police Dept. However the way they do it reminds me of the old Seinfeld episode that has the phrase “Not that there’s anything wrong with it”: Repeated over and over. It points out that Capt Meehan and Lt Kilmartin received promotions (NO One Disputes they deserve it) but questions why Capt. Flaherty retired early and why the appointments were made so quickly when the list is expiring soon.
“Just because we can” – The Sun tosses out the same names that have been used in the past about the never ending investigations by the FBI concerning the Assessors Office and registry move. No added info just another way for the Sun to take shots at people because they can.
“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer” – Seems to be the theme of two items involving Democratic Senate Candidate Eileen Donoghue. One items highlights a conversation she had with former Sate Rep./City Manager John Cox who she stopped supporting as City Manager. The other has her at a breakfast meeting with Chris Doherty and Tyngsboro selectman Rich Lemoine and Bob Jackson who supported Doherty.
“Supporting Cast outshines Star” – The Sun highlights the big name political operatives hired by the Golnik campaign in the 5th district congressional campaign. Familar names such as Beth Lindstrom and Bill Ryan (former Haverhill Mayor) whose names and reputation are far better than the candidate they work for.
“Slow and Steady”or “Nice work if you can get it” – There’s an item about the two Dracut Police Officers who have collected full pay over the last 5 months while under investigation for their roles or for being “Intentionally Deceptive” during the investigation of stolen pot from the Dracut Police Station. Collecting over $18,000 each while hearings get delayed and re-scheduled over and over. As the Sun says “Not a bad paycheck”.
It also mentions that the Superintendent of the Lowell National Park is temporarily reassigned to NYC for about 4 months or so. Peter Aucella will be the acting Supt. here in Lowell until his return.
Anyone else see the irony of the Sun editorial yesterday hoping the City acts on the downtown proposals by planner Jeff Speck ” While Speck’s presentation lasted 95 minutes, the challenge now is to see that it doesn’t take 95 years to incorporate some of these ideas into action” this from the company that moved it’s production dept. out of the city, hires private contractors to deliver it’s papers for carriers and treats their newspaper carriers has independent contractors charging them for plastic bags, Sun Bags and rubber bands. If they are so concerned about the downtown, employment and investment in the City, why did they abandon it aside from a small space on Dutton St?
It is unfortunate that the new proposed Charter School did not get approved by the State. Several well known and local business people were involved but because some members had also served on the existing charter school which was served a closure notice and that they abandoned that school to form this new one worked against them.
Jimmy Tingle’s show on WCAP is a work in process. He needs a few weeks before we can really judge it. I still look for the Paying Attention Show with Tom Duggan to return to airwaves in the area shortly.
It should be noted that after suffering some negative stories for his voting on a 1 day liquor license Dracut Selectman Bob Cox should be acknowledged and applauded for not voting on several alcohol related license issues this past week.
The James Martin Scholarship Fund will be holding an event in the next few weeks. Family and friends of Jim Martin are organizing a walk/run that will take participants by some of Jim Martin’s favorite locations in the Highlands neighborhood. The event is scheduled for Oct. 24 and will begin and end at Mt. Pleasant Golf Club. The event is also being run to provide information to people about organ donation because donors had helped extend the life of Jim Martin. I’ll try to get more information on registration and such for next week.
If you didn’t see City Life Friday and were wondering about where One Lowell’s Victoria Fahlberg was headed, the answer is nowhere yet. When asked by George Anthes she stated she was taking some time off and formulating an idea she had for her next endeavor.
Dennis Ready yesterday made an interesting observation. With so many “independent” or unenrolled voters, you would think independent candidates would do better than they have. Why don’t they?
What is it with the Electric connections in the area lately? On Friday the area of Gorham St near the Court House and the School Dept. offices were without service for four hours. Today here in Centraville we have lost it twice this morning.
Had breakfast with a very bright young man named Matt Vieira who is interested in getting more involved in his community and may enter the political arena in the near future. Anytime young people want to get involved it is a good thing.
Many Thanks to those who sent notes and emails on the passing of my cousin Len Conole. Len was only 54 and far to young to go. Keep Len’s wife Jan and their 6 children in your thoughts and prayers as they adjust to their great loss.
