Since the summer is usually a quiet time, I thought I’d do a review of all motions that Councilors have brought forward over the last term, from Jan. 2010 through June 2011 (City of Lowell Website Agenda’s)

First up Rodney Elliot – If you look at his motions he does stay true to being the Councilor who ask most about financial items. He is also the councilor who ask for more reports from the City Auditor than any other. It should be rembered that the Auditor does work for the Council NOT the Manager and should be asked questions.

If you look overall he does his share of constituent request also. It does appear he wants to be seen as the one councilor constantly questioning the Manager.

He has filed 55 motions over 17 meetings

Jan 2010
17. C. Elliott-Req. Mgr/School Supt. provide report on increase in Unemployment Cost $750,000.
18. C. Elliott-Req. Auditor provide quarterly revenue/expenditure reports for FY 2010 Budget.
16.C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. work w/UML to ensure Start Up Co’s researching @ Univ. locate in Lowell.
17. C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. determine feasibility of installing lights @ City Dog Park.
9.C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. post all job vacancies on City Website etc.
10.C. Elliott-Req. Council discuss Local Aid figures for FY 2011 Budget.

FEB 2010
14. C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. have proper dept. re-stripe lines on Univ. Ave @ VFW Highway.
15. C. Elliott-Req. Mgr have proper dept. relocate signs on Glenellyn Rd to opposite side.
13. C. Elliott-Req. Auditor report on CDBG Funds for last five years.
14. C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. contact Nat’l Grid re:$50 rebate for old refrigerators.

Mar 2010
C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. contact non-profit group Neighborhood Assistance Corp of America (NACA) about coming to Lowell to host a save-a-thon to help homeowners reduce mortgages etc.
17. C. Elliott-Req. Auditor provide report on performance of City Pension System & annual cost to taxpayers.
10. C. Elliott-Req. Finance S/C meet w/School Finance S/C re:FY 2011 Budget Cuts.
11. C. Elliott-Req. Auditor provide Council w/YTD report on Overtime Expenses.
12. C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. have Solid Waste Inspector report on #of 21D Tickets, processed/pending.
13. C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. update CC on Dangerous Dog Ord. & address unleashed dogs @ city reservoir.
12. C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. report on FY2011 Assessment for Vocational School.
13. C. Elliott-Req. Council discuss establishing 3-member Board to provide oversight of Inspectional Services.
14. C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. Solid Waste Advisory Comm. investigate solar powered Big Belly compact barrels in downtown etc.

April 2010
14. C. Elliott-Req. Parks/Rec S/C meet re: safety issues @ Fr. Maguire Park.
18. C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. report on proposed building construction on Fairview St.
19. C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. report on possibility of Solar Energy System at landfill.

MAY 2010
12. C. Elliott-Req. report on status of police contract mediation & impact on budget.
13. C. Elliott/Caulfield-Req. Mgr. prepare vote to support Nat’l Park in opposition of bladder dam @ Pawtucket Falls.
14. C. Elliott-Req. Council discuss door-to-door campaign for Census 2010.

June 2010
15. C. Elliott-Req. Council create S/C re: Health Insurance Costs.
16. C. Elliott-Req. Council adopt Home Rule Petition giving municipalities’ full authority over planned design for health insurance coverage

July 2010
33. C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. report on issues @ Grand Manor Condominium Complex.
34. C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. have DPD look into permit process for drive-way curb cuts.
35. C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. provide update on protocol for lock boxes for Nursing homes.

Aug 2010
18. C. Elliott-Req. Law Dept. draw language to require muzzling of Pit Bulls involved in incidents
Sep 2010
17. C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. look into park improvements/cleanup of Fels Park (Pawtucketville).

Nov 2010
12. C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. develop plans and procedures relative to Health Insurance for Retirees.

Dec 2010
17. C. Elliott-Req. Flood S/C meet w/Mgr. re:Update on Bladder System.
18. C. Elliott-Req. Mgr./Health Dept. report on Educational Efforts re:Bed Bugs.

Jan 2011
C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. report on Parking Restriction on Varnum Ave. near Hospital.
18. C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. report on staffing levels in Police Dept.
15. C. Elliott-Req. Council/Mgr. discuss adjusting fluoride levels in city water supply.

Feb 2011
4A-C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. report on status of Overtime Accounts.
Mar 2011
15. C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. report on impact of population loss from latest Census & discuss process for redistricting wards/precincts.
12. C. Elliott-Req. City ban Level 3 Sex Offenders from the Pollard Memorial Library.
13. C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. report on policy re:Citations for Snow Removal
18. C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. report on impact of wastewater treatment discs in water system and seek to recoup associated cleanup costs.
12. C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. update Council on Ameresco Contract

April 2011
17. C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. contact Sheriff Dept. to request assistance in cleaning city parks etc.
9. C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. add link in “Sign Up Today” section of city web site to allow contact w/Mayor/Councillors.

MAY 2011
13. C. Elliott-Req. Auditor report on all costs expended to date re:new police garage.
14. C. Elliott-Req. Mgr./Chief Police evaluate possibility of using E-911 Reverse System to notify neighborhoods re:House Breaks/Car Breaks.
15. C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. provide Council w/copy Ameresco Contract.
12. C. Elliott-Req. Council discuss including Livingston Ave, Harvard & Nicolet Sts as part of Tyler Park Neighborhood Historic District.
13. C. Elliott-Req. Council discuss Bldg. Permit issued 113 Livingston Ave.
14. C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. contact Postmaster re:possibility of relocating mail boxes on main roads (Varnum Ave.) closer to property to prevent vandalism.
15. C. Elliott-Req. Council clarify language in Responsible Pit Bull Ownership Ordinance in Section J-(3)-(a) re: Exceptions to Provisions, Safe Dog Training.

June 2011
23. C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. provide copies of applications/resumes of applicants for Boards/Commission Positions.
24. C. Elliott-Req. Council discuss Placard Parking Issues on Beacon Street.

Next up the Councilor Patrick Murphy

CITY LIFE 6AM every morning on Lowell Comcast Channel 8 George Anthes hosts with John McDonough at the controls this week’s lineup:

Monday: Marie Sweeney and School Committee Candidate Bob Gignac

Tuesday: Chelmsford Host and Chelmsford School Committee Woman Evelyn Thoren, Glen Thoren, Gerry Nutter

Wednesday: Tyngsborough Host: Linda Bown, Regional School Committeeman Dave Laferriere and Cliff Krieger

Thursday: Chelmsford Host and Chelmsford School Committee Woman Evelyn Thoren, Lowell School Committman Dave Conway

Friday: Dracut Selectman John Zimini, Lowell City Councilor Patrick Murphy, Dracut Access Television’s Executive Director Gary Muse

Saturday: (repeat of Friday) Dracut Selectman John Zimini, Lowell City Councilor Patrick Murphy, Dracut Access Television’s Executive Director Gary Muse

Sunday: (repeat of Monday) Marie Sweeney and School Committee Candidate Bob Gignac

Happy 4th of July weekend to all and I hope the rain forecasted for today, stays away until after the afternoon cookouts are held. Before we look at the column a couple of stories caught my attention in today’s Sun.

Dave Pevear and Jim Campanini put together a serious of questions in a TEST YOUR FOURTH OF JULY I.Q quiz. Not sure I’d agree that this is really a 4th of July quiz (more like a History Test for the A/P class) but I did get 6 out of 15. Here are 2 questions from the quiz (answers at the end of the post)

Twenty-seven years after writing the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jeffer­son on July 4, 1803, as presi­dent, made the formal announcement that: A. He was freeing his slaves B. The United States had pur­chased the Louisiana territory from France C. The University of Virginia was being established D. The tax on whiskey was being repealed

In the 1779 sea battle aboard the Bonhomme Richard, Capt. John Paul Jones uttered the famous words “I have not yet begun to fight” to the commander of this British gunship.

A. HMS Drake B. HMS Serapis C. Countess of Scarborough D. HMS George III

Dave Peaver has a touching story on the front of the sports page on Lowell Catholic’s retired Athletic Director Mickey Sullivan titled, Mickey Sullivan: Retired, yes; resigned no, Jenn Myers has a story about Lowell raising funds to keep pools open and Debbie Hovanasian has a profile of Rev. Peter Lovett, pastor of Lowell’s Christ Church United in a story titled Lowell pastor turns passion for cycling into fundraiser to house homeless families Has always subscribe to the E-edition or Home delivery of pick up a copy of the ONLY Daily regional newspaper that spotlights Lowell and gives you the best coverage of your city and its happenings.

In the Political Column it opens and closes with references to outgoing Supt. Chris Scott. Opening with a quote from her “In Cambridge education politics is a blood sport, but on the side they play golf. In Lowell, education politics is a blood sport, but the secondary sport is boxing without gloves,”

It concludes with mentioning she was “named superintendent- in-residence at the Community Training Center in Boston” and states it was learned by The Sun (hmm wonder who would tell them this?) state Department of Education, in analyzing preliminary data of the state’s Level 4 turnaround schools, has ranked Lowell’s Murkland School among the top achievers for improving student performance. The information is embargoed until an official report is released later this year. The Murkland School, according to the source, appears to have accomplished in one year what the state was mandating it do in three years. “The results surpass all other turnaround efforts. They are impressive,

The last lines take a shot at a couple of school committee members: It should be noted that Scott’s decision to bring in outside consultants to work with the Murkland School staff to develop and implement a turnaround plan was roundly criticized by School Committee members Jackie Doherty and Connie Martin.

GN: I usually save by responses for later but in point of fact the issue was NEVER bringing in consultants, that happens routinely but Connie Martin’s actual objection was they were being asked in NOVEMBER to pay for them AFTER they had begun the work and it wasn’t even THESE consultants.

From MY Blog in Feb 2011: C Martin answering a question: My comments during open meetings reflected my concerns about the mishandling of the Teach for Teachers consultant contract as well as the significant policy changes that were implemented at the Molloy Alternative High School. Most troubling for me was the emerging fact that despite my attempts to ask the Administration for accurate and factual information on these issues, it wasn’t provided.

For example, it was only when I made an official request to see the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s grant documentation that we were able to see that the Superintendent’s multiple statements that the grant would not allow any salary charges was inaccurate. We then learned that these same consultants had been working in the district since September with no contract. The committee was asked to vote on a contract that was being back-dated to September to allow retroactive payment. This was inappropriate both on the part of the Superintendent in allowing work to be done when a contract had not been approved and, in my mind, was bad governance on the part of the School Committee for voting to pay a questionable bill. I understood why my colleges chose to approve the bill and that the individual consultants were in no way to blame for the way their contract was mishandled but the fact remains, it is a bad financial practice to allow the district to incur liability for expenses when they have not been appropriately voted on.

Anyway back to the Column, it mentions Mayor Jim Milinazzo was more liberal with his gavel this week allowing councilor Caulfield and Elliot to bring up items not on the agenda.

Takes a shot at Councilor Patrick Murphy twice, once for not supporting and in fact taking his own shot at Councilor Elliot over the releasing of names for those who apply to boards and parks and the other for filing 10 motions this week because he may need to have back surgery later this month, so he is not sure he will be able to attend the council’s upcoming meetings. Instead of compassion they insult him stating he he could sound like John F. Kennedy for half of them and Robert Kennedy for the other half.

The column follows up on Councilor Bud and his attack on the City Solicitor for not rendering an opinion in 2006 even AFTER she pointed out NONE was asked for! Bud didn’t care about that fact and just replied “I don’t agree with one thing you said,”

They mention Lowell Police Supt. Ken Lavallee returning from the three-week Senior Executive Program in State and Local Government at Harvard’s JFK School of Government and reviews MIDDLESEX SHERIFF Peter J. Koutoujian changes in his high-level personal positions.

A few other things…

Councilor Rodney Elliot seems to want to ignore his earlier remarks from 2006 when he said “he was not trying to interfere with Lynch’s authority and that he “knew some people may not want to have their names released.” but because he is in a tough fight to get re-elected doesn’t seem to care about what people’s feelings are now and only wants the papers approval and support instead of caring about what the public wants.

Ed Kennedy trying a comeback reminds me of an old Boxer trying a comeback after losing his last few fights and wanting one more shot at glory.

Speaking of fighters, pick up a copy of the July Edition of the Valley Patriot where I use the interest and success of THE FIGHTER to rank the Council, School Committee and Greater Lowell Tech races. Here’s a little sample:

The Incumbents:
Rita Mercier – Heavyweight, Undisputed Champ who will reign has long has she wants

The Challengers
Marty Lorrey – junior/bantamweight, Long time sparring partner who’s stepping into his first solo fight. Will show he has trained long and hard and is ready.

Paul Belley – junior/welterweight, lost his first fight but has been training since. Battler with a never give up attitude, will fight to the end

School Committee

The Incumbents – Dave Conway – Cruiserweight, Two fights to run away wins. Will again be tops and is firmly entrenched

The Challengers – Kristen Ross Sitcawich – junior/welterweight, Lost a heavyweight fight in 2007 but recovered and has the experience to capture the one uncontested seat. A real gamer

Have a Happy and Safe July 4th Weekend.

Quiz Answers:

B.The United States had pur­chased the Louisiana territory from France Purchasing 828,000 square miles for $11.2 million from France more than doubled the size of the United States;

B. HMS Serapis

Jim Leary on City Life this morning (then later on WCAP) announced that the United Teachers of Lowell and the Lowell SChool Committee have gone to mediation. Meaning a State Mediator will work with the two sides and try to get them to come to a mutual agreement. Jim mentioned he was hopeful that a new contract would be in place before the start of the school year in late August.

Jim did pull papers to run for re-election to the School Committee and former City Councilor / County Commissioner Ed Kennedy also pulled papers. At this rate we may indeed have a Preliminary Election here in Lowell.

John MacDonald never rest..did you catch this ad in yesterday’s Sun?

The City may receive more Local Aid than first thought with the budget that was approved last night. Maybe the city can indeed soften the tax increase to residence if they receive the additional $1.6 Million they expected to be cut or drop the Business Tax by 1% or 2% to assist the many longtime businesses here in the city.

Condolences to the family and many friends of Shawn R. Maillet of Dracut, Shawn passed away at the young age of 36 after a long and courageous battle with Cystic Fibrosis.

A reminder about the THE 1ST ANNUAL SHAWN M. DUMONT GOLF CLASSIC Monday, August 15 · 8:00am – 11:00am
Campbell’s Scottish Highlands Golf Course 79 Brady Avenue Salem, NH

The Golf Classic day begins with registration at 8:00 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. The cost to participate in this Classic is $600 per foursome or $150 per player, which includes green fees, cart, steak and chicken dinner, and various refreshments and prizes including a chance to win $5,000 IF you MAKE A HOLE IN ONE on a Special Designated Hole.

Without having to step out onto the course, you can still support the Shawn M. Dumont Scholarship through a direct donation or sponsorship by using the enclosed form. You may also purchase tickets for the lunch portion of the tournament at the cost of $50 per person or donate a prize to be used in our raffle.

Player spots are limited. To make your reservation, email Mike/Chris at dumontgolfclassic@comcast.net, or call Mike at 978-937-0725.

Holiday weekend so I’m kicking back with my family, will post a Sunday Notes column but that will be it until Tuesday. Enjoy the 4th, THANK YOU for taking the time to read and post and have a safe and relaxing Holiday weekend.