Sunday Notes May 29th 2011

Before we take a look at the political column, there are a couple of very interesting stories in today’s Sun. Dave Peaver has an interesting story titled ,Years before Civil War, Lowell was an anti-slavery battleground, looking at the role Lowell played in the Slavery battle. Joyce Tsai has a heart tugging story on Marine Lance Cpl. Tim Ryan of Wilmington that will leave you with a tear in your eyes this Memorial Day weekend. Chris Camire looks at a report saying that Lowell General Hospital is one of the LEAST expensive in the state. Debbie Hovanasian has a nice write up on a Centralville start- up Christian Hill Studios and a MUST read is Excerpts on page 1 of the Focus section from the acceptance speech for the Massachusetts Democratic Party’s annual Franklin Delano Roosevelt Award. Given in Boston by Giana Panagiotakos on behalf of her father, former Sen. Steven C.Panagiotakos

Has I suggest each Sunday subscribe to the E-edition, home delivery or pick up a copy of the Regional paper that covers your city more than any other paper and keep it alive and local. You don’t have to agree with their editorial view to support a local paper. Watch for their new iPad app in June. They also have a variety of mobile apps available for Smartphone’s

Looking at the Political column, it takes a lot of “shots” at people this week….

It starts off with CHEAP SHOTS at several local elected officials, Insinuating that John Faneros, the developer behind the controversial building project on Livingston Ave and his father have “friends in high places” and that is why the building was allowed. It is an example of an unfair, cheap, sensationalistic look at facts fitted to a preformed premise that the column is noted for. Ignore the fact that the building is within the Law and muddy the matter with facts that have nothing to do with the real issue.

Next comes a shot at retiring Sgt. Charles Chronopoul­os of Tyngsboro who chose to accept a position with the Treasure Island, Fla., police after his recent promotion in Tyngsboro. He is a 29 year veteran and he chose FL over MA. Yet he in the Sun’s eye deserves to be disrespected after serving his community for 29 years?

The column has a rumor concerning the ownership of WCAP, it recaps Dracut Selectwoman Cathy Richardson’s battle with the “boys” (her fellow selectman) and ponders where ” The charismatic Canadian ” (really that is how they refer to Supt. Chris Scott) will land next.

The column also takes a shot at Marion Dodge a ZBA alternate who actually has knowledge of the telecommunications field, for her comments on the Wedge St. Cell Antenna’s. Why would a City want a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals to have knowledge of one of the hottest Issues all communities face?? Call for a public review of resumes’ to make sure people are qualified, then take a shot at a person who has the experience on her resume to be qualified to speak on the issue. Makes perfect sense to me.

Another shot highlights the potential conflict of interest charges that the City may face from the applicant trying to place a cell antenna on the Wedge St. Site. It highlights the fact that ” The members most fervent in opposition were Corey Belanger and Vesna Nuon” who are both running for City Council. A SMALL group of residents including a State Rep. putting pressure on a board where two members are running for City Council ..no conflict there right??? BTW Do the residents realize that there are already antenna’s on top of that tower that are used for communication? I have been told the city has a couple up there for Fire/Police etc….So what’s the difference??

Sorry but the Highlands is looking to me like the Poster Child for “NIMBY”. I’ve mentioned Centralville has cell antenna’s near schools and parks approved by Mr. Belanger and Mr. Nuon, As Dennis Ready and I discussed yesterday on Saturday Morning Live on WCAP, we have had the same type of housing issue on Beacon/Third St. has they have on Livingstone yet because it is an Election Year and the “small” neighborhood complainers have State Rep. Murphy assisting them the issues are now “serious and need to be looked at”..Maybe Jack Mitchell is 100% correct and we need the Charter Change to district councilors so Centralville gets a City Councilor who can highlight the fact that the Highlands should get the same treatment we have received here in Centraville and not get the “Political NIMBY” treatment because of Kendall Wallace, Kevin Murphy and the other Highland “Players”!!!

other things….

The Market Basket on Bridge St. is coming along and they hope to open in late June. Construction workers were there yesterday and this morning, showing how the private sector will get something done as soon as possible while we can look at the Hunt’s Fall Bridge and see Public sector work CRAWLING!

What exactly is a “manufactured candidate” and why are rumors flying that one of the City Council challengers is just that?

You may support or dislike Mike Hayden but anyone who puts their name on a ballot and has served the community deserves Thanks and let’s hope whatever issues forced him out of the School Committee aren’t too severe.

I wonder if we will see anymore candidates for the School Committee? It should be interesting to watch their Budget session this Thursday, June 2nd, at 5:30pm in City Hall Council Chambers and on LTC Ch 10. I’m interested to see if the average students needs get attention this year or if the committee will still give their attention to the “Special Interest” groups..The Athlete’s and those in danger of “dropping out”. How much do we pay for the Alternative Schools? Why are the few “in danger students” getting more attention than the average student who attends EVERYDAY?? Yes all students are important but we MUST STOP IGNORING THE AVERAGE STUDENTS! They deserve and need media/Library aides and technology improvements.

Will the committee be realistic and NOT ask the City for more money than the state formula dictates and the Manager has suggested will be provided or will they use the Election year to try to “rally” the troops to pressure the City Council and Manager for money they already know isn’t available?