OpportunitiesProvidedbyLocalJobs-FINAL
According to their website: Move Lowell Forward PAC is a non-partisan citizen’s group of Lowell residents who support professional and equitable city management. We aim to provide information and awareness to increase voter turnout, and to endorse candidates for local office through a process of evaluation on relevant issues.
The definition of a PAC is : PAC or Political Action Committee is an organization that enables people to participate in the political process at the local, state and federal levels by supporting issues and candidates for public office and by lobbying elected officials. Political action committees were first formed in the 1940′s. In Massachusetts there are about 200 registered PACs. In our state there is a $500 limit on an organization or individual’s campaign contribution.
PAC membership allows supporters and advocates of a particular organization or association and their “cause”, through relatively small contributions and organized election activities, to have a powerful voice in the political process. PACs make campaign contributions and promote candidates, thus making candidates accountable to supporters and assuring that their full-fledged allegiance to the organization or association is on the record.
Most importantly, PACs endorse candidates based on the candidate’s commitment to an issue, in order to build power. They help give the candidate political will to take a public position and initiate a discussion on important issues. Once the candidates recognize the power of the PAC they often become spokespeople and champions for the organization or association and their “cause”.
Now I know some of the members of Move Lowell Forward and they are sincere people who want to help the City progress but I think they put Councilor Broderick in an akward position asking him to present their white paper to the council. If I were a Council candidate or Bud, Rita or Rodney I would object to this weeks motion to bring forth a “WHITE PAPER” ( see attached pdf) on Opportunities Provided by Local Jobs, for discussion.
It gives the appearance that the Council is playing a little quid pro quo with this PAC by carrying forth their agenda and their message to be discussed on the Council floor after a majority of this Council including Kevin Broderick, Bill Martin, Jim Milinazzo Franky Descoteaux, Joe Mendonça and Patrick Murphy all were endorsed by this group in the last election. I’m sure LMF don’t mean to appear to be swapping their endorsement for the Councilors in exchange for the council moving on their agenda but that is how it looks to me.
If Sean Burke who has a business interest in what he wanted to speak on joins a PAC like Assoc Builders & Contractors Pol Action Comm and writes a White Paper then can he speak? The next time plan design comes do you think the Manager wants to hear from the Retired Public Employees PAC? During the budget debates that will come up can Rodney or Bud bring in the Voice of Teachers for Education (VOTE) Pol Action Comm with their White Paper on why the City needs to fund the school dept? Will Rita be allowed to present the MA Police Assoc. Pol Action Comm White Paper to discus why the Lowell Police are so underfunded?
Where will the line be drawn if we open it up to Move Lowell Forward? Can Jack and the Charter Changers form a PAC that endorses candidates and write a paper so they can be heard?
It is a bad precedent to set.
Its all more of the same.. just to get their name out there..
“Lower the tax rates” .. without saying where they would make up the revenue
“Get more state and local grants” .. uhh, as if they’re not already doing this
“cut down on crime” .. spending.. where does the money come from?
“put our art on display and more people will come by” .. its a blue collar town, they just won’t accept it.
“the innovation center will save all” .. this country is great at innovating, but we can’t compete when it comes to manufacturing (theres a new billion chinese, middle east, east european and indian workers looking for manufacturing work at much lower costs). Its all short term government-funded jobs.
“get all ‘progressive’ and the world will be wonderful” .. do they forget that the nation changed tack in November?
It’s the elite from the ‘burbs that should be drawn to the city by art to drop a few bucks while they stroll among the blue-collared people.
For those interested to know. Crossposted from LiL:
Move Lowell Forward PAC, the local municipal PAC of which I am co chair, is putting together an open and free event featuring a guest speaker, Adam Baacke, who is Assistant City Manager of Planning & Development, on February 17th, 7pm. Adam will be talking about Lowell’s development projects, such as the Hamilton Canal District, Tanner Street and downtown, but also the Master Plan (sounds like a villain plot!) and the green and sustainability initiatives. Light refreshments will be served and Adam will of course also take questions.
RSVPs requested, but not required, you can email info@movelowellforward.com.
We’re hosting the event at Market Mill, technically 256 Market St (near where the National Parks Visitor Center is, across from The Brush Art Gallery). Parking is available in the National Historic Visitors lot off Dutton Street, or street parking on Market. When you arrive, you should check out the nearly-finished Appleton Mill complex, which after this spring will be full of artists! It’s really incredible to see those plans come alive, and we’re excited to host this event!
I had to laugh when I read the “lower the commercial/business tax rates” idea. These are the same people who stop just short of murder whenever anyone questions their professional city manager who is CONSTANTLY raising the tax rates. How about practicing what you preach there people and holding your boy accountable.
Join the team, RIN. I’ll vouch for you. :v)
Walk into that pack of liberal jackals? I value my health too much Jack. We could never coexist peacefully. LOL
If one were to believe the “left” one might think that “Remember in November” is the nom de blog of Sarah Palin or Glenn Beck, suggesting political violence. But, maybe it is the nom de blog of New York Professor Francis Fox Piven, trying to stir up riots like those recently in Greece.
Gerry, give me a confused “simley face” this time, for I surely am by this.
Regards — Cliff
Cliff,
What are you confused by?
On face value I see a Political Action Committee requesting the Lowell City Council , 6 of whom they endorsed for election to carry out their manifesto. I believe that not to be in the best interest of the mass public. A PAC who endorses a majority of the elected Council can then get their agenda forwarded? To me it just doesn’t look proper.
Why can’t MLF just send this to each councilor and the manager without it having to be presented and discussed on the council floor? Or should all PACS and small groups who endorse a majority of a sitting body be able to get their agenda pushed on the elected floor?
Sorry just like no spell check on replies, I don’t control the assigned faces.
“Why can’t MLF just send this to each councilor and the manager without it having to be presented and discussed on the council floor?”
If you want a particular subcommittee to get a report you did (and I can personally assure you, there is no hidden agenda here) it has to be a communication accepted by the full committee. That’s procedure, and we followed it. We thought the economic subcommittee would be the one to care about anything to be said on jobs, and Broderick is the head of that subcomm. No more, no less.
God you people are all way too quick to see conspiracies everywhere. Someone’s gonna start thinking you’re all paranoid.
Not paranoid I just think if Rita had the Teachers Union PAC on the Floor you and others would be screaming. A Political Action Committee that endorses Councilors so councilors will push their agenda..Sound like the new era of GOBS..LOL
“new era of GOBS” ZOMG!
Yes folks, the stuff we put online and formally submit through proper channels is a transparent usurping of power from the government to the people. Join Us!
You endorse SIX of these Councilors and in exchange they will discuss YOUR Agenda on the Council Floor.
I didn’t Elected YOU, Lynne or Cliff, If you want your agenda put your name on the ballot otherwise let the people like BUD, Rita and Rodney who we did elect do the job.
To me MLF works like this, If you want us to endorse you and all you have to do is promise you will do what we say..that’s not open Gov’t
that is GOB action you usually rail against.
Wow. You got me, Gerry. It is soooo true. I voted for McCain/Palin because they stand for everything I oppose, for all intents and purposes. Your grasp of how politics really works is so enlightened. Mere mortals are we.
You do realize you a parroting George Anthes with the “I didn’t Elected YOU, Lynne or Cliff, …” routine?
And you may forget, but those 6 Councilors you are branding as MLF’s bagmen, garnered beaucuop votes, kid, not just ours. Whoa, wait. Do they work for MLF? Or, are they Bernie’s puppets? Does MLF work for Bernie? Nah, we must carry his water. Though it would be a riot to think Lynne Lupien is the evil henchwoman behind the ouster of Cox and Kazanjian. Cue a shrill “Bwaaahahahaha.”
RIN, who does the Council work for, these days? It’s like musical chairs, the finger pointing. Us lesser grow-ins get lost in the legacy of utterly useless BS. Help me out, would ya?
Jack, Who has there hand up your backside and is moving your lips? Lynne? I am so sick of your BS about me parrotting anyone for the last time I speak for myself and unlike you don’t need a group mentatlity. LMF IS A POLITICAL ACTION GROUPB THAT IS A SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP JUST LIKE ANY OTHER PAC AND YOU AND YOUR GROUP WOULD BE BITCHING IF THE TEACHERS UNION PAC TRIED THIS BS!!
a political action committee has no business on the city councile floor in my opinon period!
You talk about Campy pushing for Scott ..to me it looks like the 6 councilors LMF endorse want to push lmf agenda.
Once again, Gerry, you got me. MLF is a “special interest” group.
The group for which we have authored a “manifesto,” asserted our Constitutional prerogatives of assembly, speech and redress of grievances or as you hamhandedly say, “get their agenda pushed, ” we refer to this group as “the residents of Lowell.”
Please fault us for that, Gerry. I’m sure the residents of Billerica, Tewksbury & Dracut should be duly represented in the Council chambers. Move Lowell Forward will have to live with the shame of only looking out for each and every Lowellian.
Special interest, pfft. This group is a challenge to those that seek to pilfer and plunder. Those that would use their networks and friendships to cultivate their own personal wealth and prosperity on the backs those that pay their fair share, and then some, in taxes and fees. We endeavor to root out corruption and cronyism, as we work to level the playing field. Further we promote concepts and policy that are a betterment to our city.
But no one has to take my word, or yours Gerry, because Move Lowell Forward is hosting an Open Meeting on Thursday, 17 February, at 7:00 PM. Please join us at the Market Mill/Lowell Art and Design Center, 256 Market Street (across from the Brush Gallery). Parking is available at the National Historic Visitors lot off Dutton Street or via street parking on Market Street.
It is a “Planning and Development Forum” and our guest speaker is Mr Adam Baacke, Assistant City Manager, Planning and Development.
Mr Baacke will talk about the many development projects in our City, from the Hamilton Canal District to the plans for Tanner Street and downtown. We hope to learn more about the Master Plan, Sustainability Initiatives and Development Services.
(clipped from Right Side of Lowell)
Enough Drama, Time to Get Down to Business.
No hidden national meanings here Cliff. Simply a local who cares and is worried about the direction the city is veering off in the last two years. Rioting is definitely a no no however. I’d settle for a high, representative voter turnout to hold all of them accountable to a true majority of us, not just the government dependent union workers. I don’t blame them, mind you. I admire them. They have a vested interest and are willing to make the effort to vote their interest. I’m more angry at the rest of my peeps who bitch and moan from the sidelines, but can’t be bothered to step on the playing field on that one day where they can totally make a difference.
How about organizing a get out the vote PAC?
Don’t need it. The people who care and understand will come out and vote.
Those who have no idea what’s going on, and are easily swayed by the latest celebrity candidate(s) are the ones who cause the most damage. Let em stay home and watch reruns of Friends.
Shawn,
Are you talking about Jon Golnik?
Except Shawn, literacy and aptitude tests have been shot down the courts as requirements for voting. Your narrow version of who is and isn’t qualified to vote does a tremendous disservice to our country. I’d much rather be one of those lands where 90% of the people show up to vote, no matter how illiterate, uninformed or suppressed they may be. You don’t have to attend town meeting, read a paper, watch TV or listen to the radio to know how fiscal policy affects your wallet and your home.
I’m generally on your side of the issues. But I’ll take my chances with full participation from the electorate. I belive I’m with the majority. I’d love nothing better than to prove that to the liberals out there by giving them a resounding national, state and local trouncing provided by a turnout that would make Europeans envious.