Managers Response to List of Businesses

In the Packet that City Councilors receive and on the Public Agenda is the Manager’s Response to Outstanding Motions.

One of the motions is from Councilor Rita Mercier who asked:

REQUEST THE CITY MANAGER TO PROVIDE A LIST OF NEW BUSINESSES THAT OPENED AND BUSINESSES THAT HAVE CLOSED IN THE PAST 5 YEARS

It seemed to me that is was a good question. People should see exactly what businesses have opened and how many have closed in the city. I have attached the Manager’s response that the Councilors received and while the statistics are interesting and somewhat informational there is a huge amount of information missing. Namely the answer to the question.

THE CITY MANAGER PROVIDE A LIST OF NEW BUSINESSES THAT OPENED AND BUSINESSES THAT HAVE CLOSED IN THE PAST 5 YEARS

Where is the List? We know that the Council has held “Welcoming Ceremonies” and gave proclamations to some businesses that have opened here in Lowell. Though others like the Owners of Aaron’s on Middlesex St. have been completely ignored by the city.

We know several downtown businesses have closed (The Day Spa & Barnes & Nobles,) but the Administration fails to list ANY names of businesses.

Hopefully Councilor Mercier and the rest of the council ask the Manager to keep this motion “OPEN” and get the administration to answer the question that was asked.

PROVIDE A LIST OF NEW BUSINESSES THAT OPENED AND BUSINESSES THAT HAVE CLOSED IN THE PAST 5 YEARS

Champagne for Norm, nothing for the Taxpayer!

LGH President/CEO Normand Deschene whose Hospital doesn’t pay property tax and refuses to participate in the Payment In Liu of Taxes Program and is overseeing a major addition to Lowell General Hospital is filing an appeal with the Atty General’s Office to STOP Steward Health Care LLC from taking over Saints Memorial Hospital.

Lowell General which Deschene runs like any cut throat CEO wanted to acquire their rival but the Saints Board didn’t agree and to the benefit of the city, chose Steward Health Care. So since he failed he is trying to stop Steward and has filed a letter with the State Atty general claiming that the Saints Board was split (Unless a Saints member is feeding him direct info how would he know?). He would prefer Saints closes than have to compete against a private institution who may make LGH look bad. Something Deschene is doing all by himself.

According to today’s Sun, Deschene writes to Attorney General Martha Coak­ley, “It is our strong contention that a decision of such magnitude, for SMC and for the Greater Lowell community, should not be made by a narrow margin without addi­tional input from the community, from the members of the SMC med­ical staff and from other important local constituencies, and, perhaps, most importantly, without seeking guidance from those charged by law with overseeing charitable assets for the commonwealth, your office

If he succeeds the City of Lowell will miss out on collecting HALF A MILLION DOLLARS (or more) in Property Tax from the Saints property because Steward Health Care LLC is a for profit company and unlike Lowell General will pay property taxes.

At a time when Property Taxes in this city continue to climb for residents, taking another huge complex that could contribute over HALF A MILLION DOLLARS (or more) in revenue to the city off the books is NOT something Lowell needs.

Deschene and Lowell Generals Board of Directors is telling the taxpayers/citizens to bad, its more about him and Lowell General than the good of the City and there is nothing you can do about it.He’s more interested in growing HIS Hospital and receiving HIS Bonuses and closing Saints than he is concerned about the citizens/taxpayers of Lowell, who have to pay higher property taxes because HIS hospital refuses to support the City

Pick up today’s Sun and read the entire story by Chris Scott.

Then call Mr. Deschene at Lowell General (978) 937-6889 and tell him to stop hurting the taxpayers and City of Lowell.