64983393-11-09-14-Resumes-Inspectors-PR-Request-Lowell-Sun

64974510-11-09-13-Letter-to-Publisher-Development-Services

The Manager responded on his BLOG to the Sun..I’ve cross-posted it here….

The Lowell Sun’s coverage of the Development Services Office in recent weeks has been consistently misleading, incomplete and biased. The editorial column in the Tuesday, September 13th edition crossed a line into factual inaccuracy apparently intended to generate unwarranted and unconstructive fear on the part of the public. In an effort to provide clarity and a factual assessment of the qualifications and competency of the building officials, I have included the letter I sent to the publisher of the Lowell Sun and would also refer you to a previous post on role of the Certificate of Occupancy in a proactive approach to code enforcement.

The Sun also requested the resumes of the Building Inspector, Robert Marsilia and the local inspectors to which we have responded. The resumes are included in this post so that readers have the opportunity to view these documents in full. I encourage anyone with questions and concerns to contact my office.

I purposely overreached in using inflammatory words trying to get a response from the Three City Councilors who voted in opposition to appointing the Asst. City Clerk the Acting Clerk (I admit to a personal Bias which I clearly stated) but it seems to me that when Elected Officials choose to vote the opposite way after repeatedly stating on several occasions they support city workers and support cost savings without sharing the reasons with the Public who Elected them, then they should expect to have their motives questioned.

Do I really think any of the 3 are Education Snobs …maybe 2 of them a little..a few people in the community tell me they feel one councilor has forgotten his roots….Do I think they are Male Chauvinist…NO…do I think they are supporters of Mr. Leahy…Yes, because I think they feel the Office is in need of updates and aren’t sure someone who has been there for 20 years can make the required changes…I just wish they would say that publicly…am I expecting Invitations to their next fundraisers…NO..LOL…

I also was critical of a city council challenger for Posting after the vote that is was the Correct thing to do. I stated I wish they said it publicly BEFORE the vote. I would and will say that to any challenger who doesn’t take a stand on something until AFTER the fact.

If you want to be a Councilor and receive 1 of my 9 votes take a stand either in support or against SOMETHING before the City Council has to vote on it. Every week these 9 people step up and vote on issues. Sometimes I agree sometimes I disagree but I respect the fact they are willing to do it and usually explain their reasoning for their vote.

You as a challenger need to show us the citizens who vote that YOU are willing to step up and take a stand and speak out BEFORE a vote if you think you should replace an existing member…..

Did you watch the City Council meeting and hear Teacher’s Union President Paul Georges speak about Unfair Labor Practice charges that may have been or may be filed by what sounds like the Teacher’s Union against the City? I’m trying to get ahold of Mr. Georges to get more info on that.

Did anyone else find it amusing he told the Councilors maybe they were not receiving 100% clear and accurate information from the Manager. This is the EXACT REASON the Lowell School Committee chose NOT to renew Supt. Chris Scott’s Contract and Mr. Georges didn’t seem to mind if she did that to the School Committee…Ironic and it made me chuckle last night when he made that statement.

Very impressive turnout by the retiree’s last night, there buttons said it all “It’s about Respect” that is all they are looking for. They put in their time and in the course of bargaining gave concessions in order to meet the needs of the city. All they want now is some respect and to be included in talks that may change their health care. It was a great mix Firefighters like former Chief LaCourse and Police like former Deputy Supt. Ryan, Mr. Molloy a former teacher along with Dennis Canney , Mike and Eileen Earle and many others

Always a pleasure to see Mickey Dumont a retiree from the teacher’s who is still very active and a strong vocal advocate for the retiree’s. Nice to see her husband Jerry in tow supporting her.

Marsha and Ed Fleming a couple retired teachers drove up from the beach to attend. Marsha had two of my 4 children and was a great teacher. One of my all time favorite teachers Helen Littlefield was also in attendance and retired firefighters Gerry Peaslee and active firefighter Brian Poitras were both there.

In today’s Sun City Councilor Rita Mercier responds to an item in the Sunday Column with a Letter to the Editor: Partially it says….

In response to the innuendoes in Sunday’s political column, which I know is only opinions and thoughts of The Column contributors, I thought I’d offer the facts concerning the item titled “Pols duck officer’s portrait unveiling.”

1. I was unaware of the ceremony taking place, as were most other officials. Perhaps the ceremony was supposed to be private. I really don’t know. What I do know is that I don’t duck anybody or anything if I can help it.

2. As I, like most fortunate people, have a job and it is not always possible to attend every ceremony, self-preservation is No. 1 and I need to pay bills like everyone else. So, yes, my job comes first.

I am a believer that he who is without sin cast the first stone.

Out of respect for Officer Johnson, the Lowell Police Department and his family, please let this be the end of your further deliverance of pain.

In the breaking news section of today’s Sun is the following Information which should have the effect of tossing gasoline on a campfire in Dracut : McLaughlin to leave Chelsea HA…let the rumors begin.

Seriously I have never seen a town where Elected Officials get so personal in attacks on each other as what I am witnessing in Dracut on both sides (while both sides will claim its the others doing it). What ever happened to being able to disagree and walk away and still stay civil?

Dracut just passed a School override and suffered the rumors and bad press of missing student funds and now comes word that the new School Supt. wants to raise private funds for himself another administrator, a School Committee member and others to go on an educational Fact Finding trip to CHINA! Really..China on a free trip from the business community?

I know Shawn or even Brian Flaherty would be the logical choice for Dracut Bloggers to go to cover and post daily stories but hey Supt. Stacey Scott, if you can pull this off raise enough to TAKE ME!

I’ll Blog 3 times a day on all the interesting and fact finding activities of the day (Food especially)! Besides unlike Shawn, both sides at least tolerate if not somewhat like me.

John MacDonald is a first time candidate for the Lowell City Council. He lives in the Highland Section of the city and works for Sals-pizza.

1) You’re not well known, have been attacked for being a Republican and for having many outside of Lowell supporters. How’s running for Lowell City Council so far?

My run for Lowell City Council has been great and one of the best experiences of I’ve ever had. I have been knocking on doors since April when I announced my candidacy. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting thousands of people in Lowell since then, which has reassured me of what a great city we have.

Although at the beginning of the race I may not have been as well-known as some established political candidates, I do believe we have narrowed the gap in awareness and interest. My campaign has been issue oriented and we have concentrated on respectful leadership. My candidacy has been aggressive in sharing our views, but most importantly listening to the concerns of the people of Lowell.

I have been in business and work for one of the most progressive and innovative companies in the Merrimack Valley. Through my many years in business I have fostered many relationships in and outside of Lowell. As a candidate it has allowed me to garner support from people I have helped and worked with through the years. Experiences inside and outside the City of Lowell have allowed me to think outside the box and offer ideas for positive change, which if elected I can bring to Lowell City Council.

As far as attacks for being a Republican or Democrat in a non-partisan race… I think they are unnecessary. My campaign and I will not participate in such activity. I don’t see that either party has demonstrated effective leadership on the national level in the last few years and their inability to work together for the American people has put us in a bad position economically. Regardless of party I have always supported who I thought was the best candidate for the job at that time. It’s a shame when people take the divisiveness of party politics and try to apply it to a local race. It indicates to me the lack of interest in making the City of Lowell a better place for its residents and businesses, but rather focusing on shenanigans that takes our eyes off serving the residents in one of the worst economic conditions in our countries history.

2) What do you see has the 3 biggest issues facing the City of Lowell and how would you go about addressing them?

1.Property Taxes and fees: The number one issue I hear from the residents and businesses of Lowell is the aggravation of what people have felt is a constant increase in property tax increases and fees. The economy has put our City in a precarious place. The City Manager has managed the city’s finances effectively and put the City of Lowell in a stable financial position. However it is time to look at alternative ways to raise revenue in the City. The residents and businesses I have talked with feel they can no longer endure the brunt of increases during these worst of economic times.

It’s time to take a proactive approach to business development in the City of Lowell, which will raise additional revenue to allow us to curb additional tax and fee increases. I have outlined these ideas on my website and they have been distributed previously. An example is my idea for a property tax freeze for seniors.

2. Public Safety: A close second on the biggest issues in Lowell that I’m hearing from residents and business is the issue of crime. People overall have expressed confidence in the Lowell Police Department and realize that resources have been diminished. However people would like to see more police in the neighborhoods and would like to see a pre-economic downturn police staffing level make its way back.

Public safety is paramount in providing a positive image both inside and outside the city. Current and potential business must feel confident that their investments in the City are safe. Both current and future residents must feel the same.

The City of Lowell cannot spend money it doesn’t have, however if we concentrate on bringing more tax revenue into the city through an aggressive business development initiatives we can solve out budget issues and create a path to a sustainable longterm economy in Lowell.

3.Business Development: In meeting with current businesses and attracting new businesses in to the City of Lowell, we must become proactive in helping to make out current businesses successful and make the City attractive for new business. I know first-hand the effect of experiencing the impact of an aggressive pro-active business development program.

We have to find new ways of helping to make our current businesses successful and we also have to bring new businesses into the city. Additional business tax revenue is essential to allowing the city to pay for critical and additional city services. I have also outlined this proposal on my website.

3) What do you consider has the most important quality for a Councilor?

Respectful leadership and listening. The two go hand in hand. A councilor should provide respectful leadership. It’s important that the Council and the City Manager work together to provide its residents with the best city services possible along with creating a long term of path of success.

People feel they already have enough public officials talking at them and not enough listening. A city councilor should listen to the people they serve and understand the issues that impact people’s lives on daily basis. In listening a councilor should also propose new and innovative ideas that will positively impact the long term future of Lowell.

4) Are you satisfied with the Police coverage/capacity to protect the citizens/visitors/college students of a first class community. If yes,why? If not, what are your specific proposals to address these needs other than applying for state/federal short term grants?

The Lowell Police Department has proven to be one of the best police departments in the State in my opinion. They have been stretched too thin due to the tough economic times. One of the biggest issues with the residents of Lowell when I knock on their doors is the concern of crime. Residents that I have listened to, want an additional police presence in their neighborhoods and I agree with them. Businesses I speak to also want additional police to discourage crime as well.

Without question there is a need for more police. It is also my opinion that we can no longer depend on or hope that we get a state or federal grant to support our needs. The City of Lowell needs to create an aggressive proactive business development program to bring more business into the city. Only additional tax revenue will allow us to pay for additional police and other critical city services.

5) Do you support the current City Manager?

The role of a city councilor is to manage the City Manager. City Manager Lynch has helped to put the City of Lowell in a good financial position, unlike many Cities and Towns across the Commonwealth. I look forward to seeing a progressive and innovative approach to city government with a newly elected city council. City Manager Lynch has three years left on his contract. Under new direction with a new city council I would look forward to working with City Manager Lynch. Creating a new positive direction for Lowell concentrated on a proactive approach to city government would be my goal. Curbing property taxes and fees, focusing on public safety, helping current businesses and bringing new business to the city of Lowell would be my priorities as a City Councilor.

I would be steadfast in working with the other councilors to ensure that we have common direction and goals to provide the City Manager. I do think City Manager Lynch and his administration are capable of working towards a new positive direction in Lowell.

6) Any upcoming events or contact information you would like to list for people interested in your campaign?

I ask that people please visit my website www.macdonaldforlowell.com , email me at macdonaldforlowell@yahoo.com or call me at 978-454-0009. Please look in your local newspaper and my Facebook page for information on upcoming events.

GN: Pictures are added by ME NOT the Candidate