Thanks to Roger Lau for this nice picture

Congratulations first to Warren Shaw, Fred Simon, WCAP , The Sun, Mickey Ward Charities and all who made a donation or won a bid. Thanks to all of you $100,000 was raised for the Salvation Army and people in need this Holiday Season. Proof positive that in the Greater Lowell area those who disagree with each other put aside the pettiness of everyday life and work together to help when the need arises. GOD Bless and Thanks to all.

The Sunday column this week has a lot on the fiasco that is the UMASS President search and the fact that Gov. Patrick is falling flat on his face dealing with this issue. Allowing his petty politics and ego to drive away qualified candidates and board members speaks volumes of his own insecurities and the type of people he wants to surround himself with.

The Sun speculates that something may be up again involving a Saints/Lowell General merger and tosses another non-political name in the Sheriff’s vacancy, this time it is retired K-9 unit leader Lt. Gordon Clark of Townsend.

It reviews some issues with the Advanced Placement curriculum/testing scores that came up at a recent school committee subcommittee meeting and how Connie Martin admitted she took the course back when she was in High School just to challenge herself and didn’t care how she did on the A/P test that many students pay for.

It also mentions a little tension between Councilor Caulfield the elder statesman on the Council and its youngest member Councilor Patrick Murphy. It is clear that Bud is against Murphy’s motion to allow 17 year olds the right to vote in City elections and the two have crossed swords on this and will continue to do so.

The column catches up with former Congressional candidate Jon Golnik who is already “keeping his options open” about another run for the 5th district. Mr. Golnik is writing a column in the Valley Patriot and appeared on WCAP during the radiothon early yesterday morning with $1,000 in donations. He is keeping his name and face alive in the 5th.

The Column concludes with a very nice tribute to longtime political activist, former WCAP host Pat McCarthy who passed away earlier this week. Yesterday during the radiothon a gentleman called in a donation in Pats name and Congresswoman Tsongas made her donation in his memory also. One of my regrets is never getting the chance to sit and talk with Mr. McCarthy having only met him once or twice briefly. Listening to him sometimes drove me crazy but much like myself Pat spoke his mind and didn’t care if you agreed or disagreed with him. Nice touch by the column to end this way this week.

A few other things…

Don’t forget the Sun Santa Fund. The Sun was a gracious host to the Salvation Army Radiothon but is trying to raise $200,000 to help families and they can use a few of your dollars also.

Mario Boiardi who writes for this BLOG and who was rumored to be a potential City Council candidate may be a School Committee candidate instead. Mario who is just finishing college feels that as a recent student himself it is important that the committee gets that type of viewpoint and that the average student doesn’t get passed over along the way. Look for an announcement in the spring on his decision.

If the town of Dracut can put the Agenda on-line why can’t they put the packet of material for reference on-line as well? Same with the Lowell School Committee?

Councilor Rita Mercier brought up that the City Hall Calendar and Council Agenda are not always up on time and updated. Case in point was the Mayors Holiday reception was never listed on the event calendar nor was the Fighter premier party.

I have little issue with the Agenda being posted as I usually get it off the City of Lowell site after 3:00 pm on Fridays. The packet isn’t usually available until Monday and to me that makes some sense. Since most councilors work a full-time job they deserve the weekend to be able to review the packet before it goes up. It is a little unfair if they read a BLOG post ranting against an upcoming motion with items listed that they haven’t had a chance to check themselves. Just my opinion on that.

John Decouteaux is one of the many Centralville / Lowell guys that does many good deeds quietly and is involved with charitable causes without any fanfare or spotlight who deserves a big THANK YOU for all he does. He’s also a nice guy and looks much younger than Jim Leary gives him credit for.

Bob Cox is another guy like that. I take some shots at Bobby but whenever there is a charitable event in Lowell/Dracut people know that Bob Cox, his family and his business Coyle’s, will step up and help out. He proved that again in yesterdays radiothon.

Thanks as always for stopping at Gerry Nutters place as my friend Paul Marion refers to the Blog and enjoy the Holiday season. Finished your shopping yet? Me either……