Brightest Bulb on the Council Porch?

So sayeth a Liberal Lowell “Grow In” in a blog post while he takes another shot at a first time Council Challenger (mostly because he is republican), what he calls the Lowell brahmin class” (those businessmen who have been successful in Lowell) and a successful business developer from out of town who MAY have some interest in doing business here in Lowell.

To me Bill Martin is your basic, average councilor. He makes a few motions dealing with constituent issues and a few other items. There’s nothing here like a suggestion of a data analysis or performance based budgeting initiatives that stand out or make him stand out. He is a lawyer by day, not a overly dynamic speaker and a pretty even tempered guy. Personaly he seems like a nice guy the couple times I have met and spoken to him.

So I took a look at the 31 City Council Meetings over the past 2 years (his latest term) to see what I may have missed, What it is that makes Bill Martin the brightest bulb on The Council’s porch. You can tell he’s a lawyer because he does ask for a lot of reports. (Apparently reading briefs during the day isn’t enough for him) he request more reports than most other councilors.

I am expecting to find great motions that Bill Martin has placed.I was looking for creative and different ideas and items calling for tax or fee reductions, motions to go after absentee landlords, increasing police protection or increasing fire protection.

Has chairman of the City Council Rules committee any motions to change, review or improve rules or has a member of the personal sub-committee any change of oversight of the City Clerk or Auditor’s office which works directly for the council? Maybe a motion looking at the charter and maybe changing the preliminary requirements.

He is also chairman of the Economic Development sub-committee so I was looking for Specific Economic Development ideas, how and where to grow business and which businesses to target, ideas to generate grants or lower the business tax rate or suggesting expanding tiffs etc.

He chairs the Technology & Utilities sub-committee so there must be motions to improve the technology at city hall and in the city, correct?

Has a member of the Environmental/Recycling Issues did he make any motions to assist residence in getting bulk items picked up, suggest lowering fees or make a motion to have a ‘No Charge” day for Bulk items?

He has filed a couple motions that go along with his Housing Issues sub-committee which he also chairs, he is a member of the Railroad Issues and Zoning subcommittee’s.

Here are the 16 motions made by Councilor William “Bill” Martin in the past 2 years from Jan 2010 up through June 2011 taken from the Agenda’s posted on the City of Lowell Website.

I’ll let you decide if you agree with JM that based on these and all the committee’s he chairs and his performance on the Council that we see on Tuesday Nights if he is indeed the brightest bulb on The Council’s porch.

Jan 5 2010
C. Martin-Req. Council join efforts of other Cities/Towns in banning text-messaging while driving

Jan 19 2010
C. Martin-Req. Mgr. seek add’l funding First Time Homebuyer/2 For Lowell & report to Council

March 16 2010
C. Martin-Req. Mgr. report on progress of recommendation from DOR re: city financial practices.
C. Martin-Req. Mgr. report on status new Merrimack River Bridge @Pawtucket St. & University Ave

March 23 2010
C. Martin/Descoteaux-Req. Mgr. report feasibility of obtaining & possible uses for Pepsi Supports Surrounding Towns (PSST) Grant.

May 4 2010
C. Martin-Req. Mgr. work w/Middlesex Registry Deeds to develop report on resale of foreclosures etc.

May 25 2010
C. Martin-Req. Mgr. report on enforcement/prevention activities by police for summer season.

C. Martin-Req. Mgr. report on receipts from Hotel Room Tax and amount allocated to local CVB

June 8 2010
C. Martin-Req. Mgr. implement traffic calming measures School/Shaw Sts. related to neighborhood improvements

July 27 2010
C. Martin-Req. Mgr. report on plans to implement Municipal Relief Act recently adopted by Legislature

Aug 10 2010
C. Martin-Req. Mgr. proceed with action to repair/demolish property @ 491-493 Concord St.

Nov 30 2010
C. Martin-Req. Mgr. have proper State Agency remove debris along Rt. 110.

Dec 14 2010
C. Martin-Req. Mgr. provide updated report on utilization of First Time Homebuyer Programs.

Jan 25 2011
C. Martin-Req. Mgr. proper dept. determine feasibility of left turn arrow to traffic signal @ corner Bridge St & Lakeview Ave. for traffic heading north

April 19 2011
C. Martin-Req. Mgr. have proper depts. report on potential impact of Federal Cuts on city programs.

C. Martin-Req. Mgr. add Dancause St. to the repaving list

May 10 2011C. Martin-Req. Mgr. report on status of improvements @ Sun Apartment Building.

In today’s Sun there is the story of former Sen./City Manager Joe Tully pleading guilty to a single count of wire fraud stemming from a “scheme” to keep the state Registry of Motor Vehicles Lowell office in a building owned by a longtime business client. It brings or should bring to an end this entire episode.

Also in today’s Sun, City Councilor Franky Decouteaux fires back at the Sun for Saturday’s attack in a letter to the editor:

Councilor: Editorial ‘twisted’ my good intentions

I do not typically feel the urge to write a letter to the editor to rebut every incorrect, misrepresented and tainted opinion presented by the local newspa­per, but Saturday’s editorial was so egregious, I am compelled to respond.

Councilor Franky Descoteaux Lowell

Dracut Housing Chairman seems to be rushing the process to set up a board to search for a new director. I don’t believe the entire board has met yet to discuss or review what the process is and Martin seems intent on rushing the process sending a message to residence interested in the process “residents have until tomorrow to submit a short note or letter of intent to board Chairman Ken Martin at DHA offices at 971 Mammoth Road.Martin said he plans to select the designee on the committee through a lottery drawing at noon tomorrow in the community room at DHA offices. It’s not going to be an elected official or anything like that. It’s going to be a very open process,” said Martin about his designee.

Greater Lowell Tech School Committee candidate Erik Gitchier seems to be very comfortable speaking in public, shining this morning on City Life talking about his time has a student at the Tech and what he hopes to change if elected.

TrashWhite Paper

Love to hear theories and rumors and a couple caught my ears the past few days…..

Theory #1: The reason the Sun beat up Franky Decouteaux so bad Saturday in the Editorial and Sunday in the column was she cost them Advertising revenue by dropping out and eliminating the need for a preliminary.

Theory #2: Fredrick Wanjiku was a “straw” or “plant” by an “actual” candidate, running only to ensure a preliminary was held so they could see where they stood and when Franky quit he did also because there was no reason for him to run

Theory #3: The City Manager may be in trouble if “certain” candidates capture a council seat, especially if Councilor Mercier is the deciding vote.

City Council candidate John MacDonald releases another White paper (above)..this one on Trash and enforcement. Is it to early and will people remember in November what happens in September?

Several Neighborhood Groups are combining and hosting City Council Candidates Forums. These will be different from the normal forums because these will be themed centered and a couple held outdoors to be able to accommodate hopefully LARGE crowds.

Here’s the schedule:

Topic: Public Safety & Neighborhood Issues
When: Thursday, September 8; 6:30-8:00pm
Location: North Common Amphitheater, Fletcher Street, Acre (rain location: Senior Center, 276 Broadway Street)

Topic: Civic Improvements & Code Enforcement
When: Wednesday, September 21 ; 6:30-8:00pm
Where: Dom Polski Club, 10 Colburn Street, Centralville

Topic: Finances, Taxes & the Budget
When: Monday, October 3; 7-8:30pm
Where: AnWang School Auditorium, 365 West Meadow Road, Pawtucketville

Topic: Business Development & Schools
When: Saturday, October 15, 11:00am-12:30pm
Where: Shedd Park Pavilion, Rogers Street, Belvidere

Please join Lowell’s neighborhood groups in a series of City Council Candidates Forums this Fall. Each night will focus on topics critical to our City’s future. Residents from across the City are encouraged to attend as many forums as possible.

I had the pleasure of having a short telephone conversation today with Lowell City Council candidate Ed Kennedy.

Mr. Kennedy is a former City Councilor who served from 1977-1985 and was also a County Commissioner and had applied to be the Lowell City Manager (He holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration)

I reached out to him to try and get more information on his candidacy and he graciously returned my call and wanted me to know that he has Campaign Website and has launched a Facebook Page.

He also noted that I placed him at 14th in my post on the council race and wanted me to know that people shouldn’t count him out just because has he put it “It was a Generation Ago” that I served.”

One thing that he see’s has a much needed area of improvement is the relationship between the State and Federal delegation and the present Administration and City Council.

Lowell at one time, had a great reputation for a “delivery” system from Beacon Hill BECAUSE of the close working relationship past Manager’s have had with the Lowell delegation and the council needs to work on improving that relationship even directing the Manager to improve on his communication with the delegation. “Lowell must have the delegation and the administration on the same page and work closely together to benefit the city and history shows us that Lowell prospers when that happens.”

He has agreed to do a 5 question meet the Candidate Post and will go into more detail on his campaign, ideas on economic development and the need for the council to direct the administration has opposed to being directed. I will try to get this up later this week.

He has fundraiser coming up in Sept and Oct. and promises that he will be a strong challenger.

You can visit his website or contact him with any questions or if you want to contribute or support him.

Phone: 978-430-5411

Email: edkennedyforlowell@gmail.com

The City of Lowell is carcking down on illegal dumping of trash on corners and has sent out the following news release.

Illegal Dumpers To Be Identified

The City captured photographic evidence of suspected illegal dumpers in three separate acts of discarding furniture and other unwanted items at an empty lot on the corner of Boston Road and Foundry Street in Lowell. Frequently targeted by illegal dumpers, the lot was hit again this weekend by people looking to rid themselves of mattresses, box springs, dressers and other items at the expense of the private landowner and the City.

The Department of Planning and Development Division of Development Services, and Department of Public Works is turning over to the Lowell Police Department photographic evidence of the illegal dumping all occurring on Saturday, August 27. All three occurred in broad daylight, while motorists passed by witnessing the dumping.

The City will seek to pursue criminal charges against the suspected offenders. Under Chapter 270 Section 16, they face fines of up to $5,500 for the first offense, suspension of their driver’s license for up to thirty days, and/or suspension of the motor vehicle registration for the vehicles used in the incidents for up to thirty days. The City may also seek additional local ordinance fines of $200 per incident for unlawful disposal of waste.

The City, through its trash and recycling program provides curbside collection of furniture and other large household items called bulky items. A mattress and box spring can be collected curbside for the cost of $12 each. A television only costs $22 to dispose of properly. Residents may call 978.649.7564 to schedule a pickup. Bulky items are collected weekly.

In addition to these three incidents, the City has filed criminal charges against two other suspected illegal dumpers, one for this same location which occurred June 5, and the dumping on Pawtucket Blvd that occurred on June 7. Criminal charges are pursued by the Lowell Police Department.

“Let this be a clear signal to those who might consider illegal dumping— it is not worth the risk,” said City Manager Bernie Lynch, adding, “It won’t be tolerated. We will prosecute violators to the fullest extent of the law and will aggressively pursue recovery of the costs associated with investigation and cleanup.”

Manager Lynch reported to the Council, earlier in August, on ongoing efforts to enhance compliance and enforcement with Lowell’s solid waste and recycling program and ordinances. Options currently under evaluation include a drop-off center for bulky items, pre-paid bulky item collection, accepting cash and checks for bulky item collection, increasing the number of surveillance cameras, offering a reward for tips on illegal dumping through Crime Stoppers, and other ideas to both make proper disposal more convenient, and illegal dumping highly unattractive in terms of penalties and fines.

There are enough surveillance cameras to monitor multiple locations at the same time. With the assistance of Crime Stoppers, additional cameras are being purchased to increase the surveillance capability. The cameras are rotated around to hot spot areas throughout the City. This particular site has been identified as a priority by the City Council.

For more information about solid waste enforcement contact Development Services at 978.674.4144. For more information about bulky item collection visit http://www.lowellrecycle.org or call 978.446.7277.

Just spoke with Mark Boldrighini, Emergency Management Director for the City and National Grid has informed him that it could be 3-5 days before power is restored to the approx. 3,400 Highland residence without power.

The reason is that it isn’t just downed wires but many poles have been downed and it is going to take some time to get everything back.

In addition because of fallen trees and live wires the following street are closed or partially closed until National Grid can get in and kill the wires and the trees can be cleared.

Hildreth at Aiken (diagonally across from McKenna-Ouellete Funeral Home) see Picture above
33 Hovey St.
12th St here in Centraville
Pine @Gibson
the vicinity of 286 Burnham Rd
Temple@ Hillside
Monadnock

A few others also and a few should be opening shortly but Mark had to go to speak with the State and didn’t have the time to provide me with the complete list but I Thank him for taking the time to speak with me.

The Shelter was only needed by a couple this afternoon who wanted to be safe but left when the worst appeared to be over and the city closed it around 5:00 pm.