The lead story in today’s Sun by Erin Smith says that many of those employed by the Merrimack Special Education Collaborative were not licensed to hold their jobs. Deb Hovanasian has a nice story on Lowell’s St. Patrick’s School and its long history and devotion to the education of immigrants and their faith. Lyle Moran has a story in the Business section on the NEW ICE Floor at the Tsongas Center and congratulations to former WCAP all around good guy Joe Corcoran who was recently hired has Branch Manager and Business Development Director at the Dracut Branch of The Washington Savings Bank. Joe was the saner, calmer half of the old Joe & Casey show. Pick up or subscribe to the home or e-edition of the Regional paper that covers Lowell and the Merrimack Valley. The SUN
The Political Column..
A very quiet column this week, you can tell when the lead items relates to the Presidents uncle and a local Lowell attorney Scott Bratton.
There’s mention that in all likelihood there will be NO co-conspirator named in the Joe Tully/ registry case and no one else will face charges in this case.
Who will be the next City Clerk and what will the qualifications be? The column wonders if the newly created job description and qualifications will be set up to exclude popular Assistant City Clerk Angela Gitschier who has worked for the City for over 20 years. In addition to rumors that current “temporary” Clerk Brian Leahy may be interested in the job full time former License Board and City Council member Atty. Michael Geary may also have an interest in it.
Dracut’s favorite “Bad Guy” Mike McLaughlin, now executive director of the Chelsea Housing Authority denies ANY involvement in the removal of Dracut Housing Authority’s Executive Director Mary Karabatsos has does Amesbury Housing Authority Robert Mazzone who says It’s just plain absurd, “I’m not going to be bit by that snake again.”
The column salutes City Council candidate Paul Belley for providing coffee and donuts at Tyler Park for those Highland residents without power. Paul was returning the favor showed to him and others when they were flooded out a few years ago. (GN: Paul like Bud/Rita is all about helping everyone who needs it. A great quality in a City Councilor).
The column wraps up with items about Police Chief’s Ken Lavallee from Lowell, Jim Murphy from Chelmsford and Tom McEnaney of Westford collecting from fans on the first night of the Jimmy Fund’s annual two-day telethon at the 1st Red Sox-Yankee game last week. Congratulates newlyweds, state Rep.
Jim Arciero and his bride Bridget Scrimenti and discusses the zoning issue at the Blue Moon in Tyngsboro. (Who else remembers SWEETY PIE? The Piano Playing Tux wearing (Jacket and top hat ONLY) Piano player from the late 70′s early 80′s..I worked at the Tux store that rented him the tux)
A few other things….
Don’t forget to Come Meet Superintendent Franco, the Administration Team and the Members of the Lowell School Committee at a Meet and Greet on Wednesday, September 7th from 5pm to 6:30pm at the Lowell High School Cyrus W. Irish Auditorium, 50 Fr. Morrisette Boulevard
This week to me highlighted the importance and need for a “Local” newspaper, Radio Station and Cable access television. The Dracut Housing Authority Issue was the center topic for much of the week and all sides used this local media to get out their sides and because of that ALL sides were heard from. Also though the story may have casted the Inspectional Service Dept. in less than flattering lights, it was an important story to get out. It lead to an interesting discussion on Left in Lowell with some defending the Administration while others pointed out some shortcomings.
Election Party Season starts up again this week with a Campaign Kickoff Party for Erik Gitschier, candidate for Greater Lowell Tech School Committee Thursday, September 8 · 6:00pm – 10:00pm at the Bunting Club
and a Campaign Fundraiser for Robert J. Gignac-Lowell School Committee Thursday, September 8 · 6:00pm – 9:00pm at Mount Pleasant Golf Course
I have sent out 6 questions to 6 or the 7 councilors running for re-election (I’ll get the 7th this week by phone) and all but two of the challengers (I need contact info for Vesna Noun and Fred Doyle).To give them the chance to showcase their 3 main goals, why they are running or re-running and what their feeling is about the state of Police staffing in the City and who publicly will support the City Manager and who has concerns with him. Not unexpectedly so far only 1 candidate has answered all questions while most others say they will get back to me in the next week or so. I’m hoping to publish the first response the Wednesday and then 2 a week going foward.The School Committee and Tech School race will be next.
Speaking of the School Committee, Lowell Candidate Kim Scott seems to be zeroing in on Grants and the accessibility for parents and “transparency. School Committee member Connie Martin on City Life informed all that the School Committee/Administration will be posting a Grant PDF on-line that will show all grants including a brief synopsis. Jim Leary teased us on a new public.private partnership that may gain another Grant writer for Lowell Schools. Seems the grant issue is being addressed and Scott may need to find a new issue.
Also if you go to the School dept. Website under the Finance & Operations Tab, click on Budget information, then FY 2012 Budget you will see a list of the expenditures INCLUDING a breakdown by each school in the city. It may be a little cumbersome to find but the information is there.
The entire Lowell School Dept. Website and School Websites are set to go through an upgrade sometime this year has part of the technology Plan that the School Committee approved. Hopefully this will make navigation easier and more friendly to users.
My friend Jack over on LeftinLowell needs a lesson in Lowell History. He keeps asking how “Old Lowell” will welcome John MacDonald or developer Sal Lupoli. I reminded him that us OLD LOWELLIANS welcome with open arms and elect many people who have come from outside the city to make Lowell their home and want to help us by serving the city and making contributions to the betterment of Lowell.
Dr. Wayne Peters, Bill Taupier, George Athens, Jim Leary and Eileen Donoghue all come quickly to mind. Come on help me educate Jack in Lowell History and send me a few more.
Somehow I think if Mr. Mac and Lupoli didn’t have an R listed under Party Affiliation his blinders and bias would let him see that Lowell has always welcomed and elected smart, caring people who want to work with the citizens to make Lowell a better place.
