AUG: The passing of former Lowell State Rep Ed LeLacheur and long time Dracut Finance Committee member Gary Marsella,

Jon Golnik, Republican candidate for Congress, told police he drank several beers and smoked marijuana at a concert the night he was arrested in 2001 for operating under the influence

A story in the Sun Thursday stated: Selectman Bob Cox approved a liquor license for a private club where he sits on the board of directors, a move that could be in violation of state ethics laws.

The City Council on Monday provided Lowell with 4 more years of professional management with a new contract for Manager Lynch

Police have begun investigating the recent purchase of a small piece of South Lowell riverfront property by David St. Hilaire, the city’s acting building commissioner, from his neighbor, an ailing elderly woman named Erika Magill who lived alone and died yesterday.

Sept: The unfortunate death of Lowell Police Officer Patrick “P.J.” Johnson

Greater Lowell Road Runners and New Wave Swim Club step up to help out with funds to hire some assistant coaches.

News of “Target Letters” received by former City Manager Joe Tully and Local realtor/ political player/Emperor of Appleton St. businessman Tom Byrne in regard to the former Registry of Motor Vehicle site. Two of the three Lowell State Representatives Dave Nangle and Kevin Murphy have been interviewed by the FBI and that state senator Steve Panagiotakos and city councilor Bud Caulfield have both received “interceptor letters” indicating that telephone conversations they had with Byrne were recorded by a Federal wiretap.

Sun Reporter/ Columnist Dennis Shaughnessy leaves the paper to work for the Town of Dracut as a School custodian

Fred Bahou files motion to get the Greater Lowell Tech School Committee meetings aired live on Lowell Cable.

Dracut Selectman John Zimini has stopped accepting his Selectman’s salary as of August 19th

Tom Duggan and his Paying Attention Radio Show on Saturday’s will be ending on WCAP.

OCT: Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council Letter signed by Kendall Wallace in support of the Enel Bladder Damn appears.

Lowell School Supt. Scott submitted her proposal for a new contract to the school committee.

Left in Lowell starts Facebook campaign to have sun fire Editor Jim Campanini (20 people join)

Heroic Rescue in 4 alarm Bridge St. Fire – 1 dead, 1 injured, in Blaze

According to the breaking news section of the SUN “City Manager Bernie Lynch has chosen Ralph Snow, of Dunstable, to be the city’s new assistant city Manager/DPW Director.

NOV: The shocking death of Middlesex County Sheriff James V. DiPaola Dead at 57, the passing of former City Art Director Tom McGuire and retired Lowell Firefighter Bill Cronin

DA clears Alan Kazanjian of any wrongdoing, current Councilor Joe Mendonca doesn’t agree stating in the SUN “Things are kind of left open in the sense that there may be something there, but he (Leone) doesn’t have enough evidence to proceed,” Mendonca said. “The DA did not just drop it and say there was nothing there. He just did not have a solid case despite the amount of suspicious activity.” “The city’s denial was ignored and I think that is very arrogant,” said Mendonca

Councilor Rita Mercier files a motion to rescind vote of 7/13 re:Petition to Legislature for Health Care Plan Design

In Local races Congresswoman Nikki Tsongas held off Jon Golnik and won re-election, Colleen Garry won her race for re-election and Eileen Donoghue is our new State Senator.

Lowell High Headmaster Mr. Ed Rozmiarek comes under attack from City Life host George Anthes and former City Manager Bill Taupeir, for his comments published in the Sun, regarding his response to School Committee member Jackie Doherty over a question about soccer balls at a sub-committee meeting

Town of Dracut Clerk files motion to reduce Quorum Requirements from 250 to 50 at November Town meetings, supported by majority of Selectman except Zimini and Richardson. (It fails and a sub. motion of 200 passes.)

The day after the Election Dick Howe Jr. in one of his post, took the Sun to task and basically called them irrelevant. “The same could be said for the Lowell Sun. The local newspaper editorialized in favor of Jon Golnik, Charlie Baker and the Question 3 sales tax repeal and the voters went the other way on all three. Nowhere was the newspaper’s blurring of the line between its editorial positions and its news coverage (or more particularly, the selection and placement of its front-page news stories) than in its unrelenting negativity towards Niki Tsongas

Councilor Patrick Murphy filed a motion that read: Council consider Home Rule Petition to lower voting age to 17 for Municipal Elections

Word out of Lawrence is that longtime iconic Hot Dog stand Lawton’s is closing it’s doors by years end

DEC: The passing of former Mayor Tarsey Poulios and businessman, radio host and political activist Pat McCarthy and longtime Lowell businessmen Joe Sullivan.

WCAP reaches $100,000 for Salvation Army during Radiothon

The Fighter Movie based on Mickey Ward premieres.

Fred Doyle announces Council Run on City Life states he will go after City Manager Lynch.

Holiday Messages from Congresswoman Tsongas, Sen. Donoghue, The Mayor, City Manager, 6 of 9 City Councilors , School Committeeman Leary, Dracut Selectman George Malliaros. Tech Committeeman Bahou, Lowell Police Supt Lavallee , LHS Headmaster and others.

Let me begin by again saying THANK YOU to all who take a few minutes and read the Blog. Special Thanks to all at RichardHowe.com, Left in Lowell and the RightsideofLowell for encouraging and cross promoting the BLOG, to Warren & Shawn of Saturday Morning Live and John and George on City Life for having me on and allowing me to promote the BLOG.

Here’s a few items that we discussed each month.

January: There was an article in the Lowell Sun focusing on how Lowell Pays Coaches Top Dollar

Jim Cassin announced his retirement as Supt. at Greater Lowell Tech.

February: Goodbye to a Local legends: Jack Knox and Marty Garry

State Senator Steve Panagiotakos proclaims: The Private Can’t afford the Public Sector anymore

House Speaker Robert DeLeo said a bill to legalize expanded gaming will be released he expects a vote before the House budget is debated in March

The advisory board has forwarded its recommendation to Supt. Chris Scott for the next Lowell High Head master. Robert Fitzgerald Jr., assistant headmaster at Monument High School in South Boston

March: LHS Football Position names leaked – Jeff Moore not among them

State Sen. Steven Panagiotakos announcement that he is NOT running for re-election. Former City Councilor , Mayor and Congressional Candidate Eileen Donoghue will be running for the Senate

Congresswoman Niki Tsongas has turned back into the Treasury $75,000 in unused funds for office and travel expenses

Eastern bank announced that they will partner with the City to raise $50,000.0 to open the city pools for the summer

April: 5th district Congresswoman Nikki Tsongas co-sponsored an amendment that was passed to freeze Congressional salaries

WCAP was the first to report on the suspension of two City workers for possible gas theft. One of who they identified as Dracut School Committee member Ron Mercier.

Mario Boiardi has decided to withdraw from the US Senate race to replace Steve Panigaotakos. He has decided to work for Chris Doherty in the Senate race

In Lowell I have NEVER seen a sitting Councilor personally attack a challenger and tell people not to vote for so-so. In Dracut I watched Selectman Jim O’Loughlin’s opening statement ripping Brian Bond and asking voters NOT to vote for him.

Feds seize Butler Bank

May: The passing of local Realtor & Toastmaster Ken Harkins.

Cathy Richardson wins Dracut Selectman race defeating long time incumbent Jim O’Loughlin

Rumors abound that Fletcher’s Quarry in Westford may be in danger of closing

Senate candidate Chris Doherty, has his campaign kick off the Old Court

Former Dracut Star Quarterback Matt Grimard is being banned from attending this year’s Dracut Senior Prom.

June: The PawtucketvilleCitizens group is looking for some help in their bid to stop the bladder dam.

Greater Lowell Tech School Committee and new Supt. reach a 3 year contract agreement

Grand Opening of the Dillon-McAnespie Park on the old Canney Farm in Dracut

Dracut Selectman John Zimini files motion for Town Meeting to exclude elected Town officials from participating in the Town medical health plan, and to exclude them from participating in the health plan after July 1, 2010; It was Defeated

July: Senate Candidate Chris Doherty denies sponsoring Push Poll

City Manager Lynch responds to former Manager Jim Sullivan in detailed post

The Home Rule Petition passed by Lowell City Council

Dracut School Committee member and ex-water worker Ron Mercier and his co-defendant Keith Murphy had their Atty’s plead not guilty to stealing gas and a camera

The Lowell Five has every right to donate whatever they want to the Winterfest. However , saying “Give us all or more of your business to get more money” sounds more like blackmail than being good corporate citizens. Their is no QUid Pro Quo allowed by State Law and people get in trouble for doing it.

From what I have found out, The City Council does have subpoena powers, but they are not what I would describe as investigatory.

Shout out of Thanks to Supt. Mary Jo Santoro and Cheryl Gosselin from the Greater Lowell Tech and Gail Cenick with the Lowell Election Office for responding so quickly to my request. Both the Supt. and Cheryl Gosselin are on vacation this week, yet took the time to email me information on the school I requested.

On City Life this morning John McDonough reported that Councilor Rita Mercier responded to comments made yesterday by Fred Doyle by stating “I write my own material”..did anyone ever doubt that?

The City Manager on WCAP this morning suggested that the city may look again at the Parking Ban and come up with different options instead of the free parking at the garage. Parking on 1 side of the street (Haverhill/Worcester both use this method) or maybe parking at a local school may be looked at.

When I mentioned Larry Martin yesterday it brought former Lowell High teacher Steve Ronan to mind. Steve was a strong supporter and friend of Larry Martin and one of the nicest guys I have had the pleasure of knowing.

Happy New Year to Bob Hatem and Armand LeMay two great Lowellians who made strong impressions on me when I was in Jr. High and got me interested in politics. I did door to door drops for Bob Hatem (You’ll Luv him) when he ran for Congress and received an A for my interview with then Lowell Mayor Armand Lemay.

Here’s hoping former City Manager Jim Sullivan and future school committee candidate and fellow blogger Mario Boiardi recover fully from their recent health issues as we head into 2011. Reports are Mario is doing well and expected home by weeks end.

I’ll be on City Life tomorrow morning along with Lowell School Committee member Jim Leary. Tune in from 6:00 am -8:00 am.

Fred Doyle, announced on City Life this morning that he is again running for the City Council in the upcoming election and he stated he will be attacking the City Manager as the focus of his campaign.

According to the political history of Lowell Elections I found on richardhowe.com Doyle ran unsuccessfully for City Council 1973, 1977, 1981, 1989 and 2009,

Today he also made some eyebrow raising comments claiming he was the writer for many of the early speeches made by City Councilor Rita Mercier and that he and the current City Manager had an “interesting” conversation about the character of City Councilor Bud Caulfield.

By the results I found on Dicks website this will be Doyle’s 6th attempt at a Council run leaving him tied with Leo Buckle’s Nolan and Dave Laferriere who have also run unsuccessfully six times for council.

Doyle’s best finish was 15th place in 2009, finishing in 16th in 1981, 17th in 1973 and 18th in 1989 I found no results on him for the 1977 Election so he must not have made it out of the Primary that year.

Mr. Doyle has had a reputation of being one of those candidates who attacks people and that has been the focus of most of his unsuccessful attempts at the Council. He is a local character, a bit of a throwback to the rough and tumble world of Lowell politics. If he supports you there is no better worker. If you cross him or he dislikes you, there is no worse enemy.

He has also been accused by some of doing the dirty work for others (especially a certain former City Councilor and an elected State official) who would never publicly stoop to the level of attacks Mr. Doyle has made. Sour grapes by some? Maybe..is there some truth in that ..also maybe. Lowell had a reputation as a bare knuckles political arena and Mr. Doyle over the years has been one of those who throws punches but who I think in my limited times seeing him in action 100% believes most of the things he states.

He will add color and give the local media and BLOGS much to talk about in the 2011 City Council race.

As an aside while I was looking at Dick’s Election History I noticed a couple of other notable names from the past and present who ran multiple times for Council but managed to serve only two full terms and part of a term.

Larry Martin who ran for Lowell City Council: 1981, 1983, 1989, 1997, 1999 and was Elected to Lowell City Council in 1993 and 1995 – He filled vacancy on Council in 1983 when George Anthes resigned and again filled vacancy on Council in 1998 after Dan Leahy resigned.

George Anthes who ran for Lowell City Council 1973, 1977, 1979, 1985, 1987 and was Elected in 1975 and again in 1981. He filled vacancy on Council in 1980 when Samuel Pollard resigned and then George resigned from Council in 1983 to become an Assistant District Attorney

Hey there!

Charlie Baker

Kudo’s to Mr. Snow, the DPW, Tom Bellgarde, the Parks Dept and all who were involved in the snow removal/ cleanup effort.

I shoveled out my car with my son at 6:30 and was on the road to work by 7:30. Whitney, 18th St, Beacon, 10th, Beech and Third were either to the bare ground or just a light coating. No slipping or sliding. I drove over Bridge St, through downtown and up by the Sun’s building,past the Train station and onto the Connector with no issues. Cars seemed to be moving and no sliding did I see.

495 South wasn’t bad and here in Marlboro RTE 20 has a lot of blowing snow on it but all in all I got to work in the usual 50 minutes.

Nice job Lowell DPW!

The City declared a Parking Ban:

There shall be no parking on the City Streets from 12:00 P.M. until such time that the ban is lifted. Motor Vehicles parking in violation of such ban (City Ordinance, sec. 19-89) are subject to towing under the authority of the Lowell Police Department and such towing will be at the owner’s expense (sec. 19-90). Motor Vehicles shall also receive a parking violation ticket.

FREE Parking for City residents who do not have access to “off-street” parking during “Snow Emergency – Parking Ban” available at: George Ayotte Parking Facility (Next to the UML/Tsongas Center)

So why can I walk up Whitney ave, down Beacon St. and down 18th and see cars parked on the streeets? The Hills are tough enough and my street Whitney Ave is tight with cars parked on both sides when there isn’t snow.

Why doesn’t the City enforce the ban? How is it in your neighborhood??