Keene pointed out “To the layman, this means 60 percent of the closest companies were closed due to budget cuts,” “We worked that fire with a reduction of personnel of 24 percent, one-fourth less manpower to take on the numerous tasks encountered simultaneously at this fire.” At the time of the fire, Ladder 4 on West Sixth Street, Engine 4 on High Street and the rescue company downtown were closed. Had all three been staffed, there would have been nine additional firefighters available.

We have read many reports about the Lawrence situation but many forget that Lowell has seen a loss of both fire and police personal over the years. Lowell is coping with less men and sometimes this results in the tragedy that occurred Sunday. Who knows what may have changed if the closest Ladder on West Sixth St. was staffed that night.

What choice does the Manager and Council have? One would be to raise the Tax Levy to the full 2.5% and generate the almost 5 million dollars the City is under the levy by. That would get us the additional manpower but could the average taxpayer afford that? Probably not. Would the Council want to burden the taxpayer more, probably not. Could the city save money by eliminating the Recreation/Swimming programs it runs? Sure but how would that have worked this summer with the blistering heat? Where would people have gone to cool off? Would we go back to the days of seeing fire hydrants open in the neighborhood to cool off? That just creates other issues. Should we close or scale back Library hours? Close City Hall on Friday’s? Eliminate art, music and sports in school?

Tough times call for tough actions and tough decisions. All of us want a fully staffed police and fire dept., we want fully staffed schools with library aids and computer teachers.

Sure we would like all that but the money isn’t there so the people we elect have to make the tough choices. There is no City Councilor or School Committee member who wants to eliminate city service or school programs. Neither the Manager or the School Supt. want to increase taxes or cut programs and service but in the financial times we are in and are looking forward too it has to happen.

What would you cut to fully staff fire and police? It’s only going to get worse before it gets better so the citizens of Lowell should be prepared to let the Manager, Council, School Committee and Unions know what the priorities are and identify the cuts you would make before blasting others to make cuts.

Friday, October 1, 2010 Letter to my daughter ( in the wake of senseless tragedy)

Hello my girl,

I wanted to say hi and tell you how much I miss you and that I hope your classes are going well and that you are having fun too. But I also have to have a mommy moment bear with me here. I won’t take long, and I won’t be saying anything I haven’t already said in one form or another, but it is important.

You may or may not have heard about the NJ college student who killed himself last week because his room-mate had posted videotape of him having sex with another guy. A terrible, senseless tragedy.

My mommy job requires that I remind you of two essential things:

One:
Nothing ruins your life forever. NOTHING.
Two:
Nothing ruins your life forever. NOTHING.

If that young man had only waited a couple of weeks nobody would have cared he’d have gotten past it. People have short memories life would have gotten better, much better. His parents and friends? They loved him prior to the tape they would have loved him afterward too. A few awkward moments and then life goes on.

But when you are young you don’t know that even the awkward moments are fleeting. On this, you just have to trust the old people. Remember when you were really small and cried and cried over something? Well, it didn’t last. That’s kind of what it’s like awful things happen, you feel like there’s a rock in the pit of your stomach, somehow time goes by and it gets better. I promise you, it ALWAYS gets better.

The students, a girl and boy, who were involved in the taping and posting they are being charged with bias crime, invasion of privacy and possibly other things. Their college life is over. They will have to live with this death the rest of their lives and their families are devastated. What they did was so wrong but also so kidstupid. Not to mention mean. And so their lives will be different forever but even so their families will love them and they will have time enough to hopefully live in such a way as to make meaning from their mistake.

So, my beautiful girl, never, ever think something is unfixable. NOTHING you do will ever keep us from loving you. NOTHING you do could be so awful you can’t get past it.

And if someone is mean to you, and it isn’t something you can ignore seek out people to talk to about it. Surround yourself with people who are supportive. If you ever need help and don’t know how to ask try writing a letter instead. And right now before you might need such help think about who you would talk to if needed. In the midst of turmoil sometimes we don’t always think as clearly having a plan makes it easier to find help in crisis. And remember there are always alternatives. Always.

Finally, don’t be mean. Don’t let other people be mean. Stand up for the underdog, protect those who aren’t as smart or confident or easygoing as yourself. Treat people’s feelings like fragile little puppies- if you play with them- be gentle.