A couple interesting and important Candidate Forums this week.

Monday Oct 3rd Lowell City Council Candidate Forum An Wang School Auditorium, 365 West Meadow Road, Pawtucketville 7:00pm – 8:30pm Topic: Finances, Taxes & the Budget

Tuesday Oct 4th Democratic Senate Candidates Debate Durgin Hall, UMass Lowell South, 35 Wilder St., Lowell. Debate begins at 7 p.m.

The debate is being presented through a new initiative of the university’s Center for Public Opinion and the Boston Herald that also includes polling on how Massachusetts voters feel about the candidates and critical issues facing the Commonwealth. The UMass Lowell Political Science Club is co-sponsoring the debate.

I was also glad to see that UMass Lowell also sent along this message: Note to bloggers and online news media: Wi-fi will be available throughout the debate venue. A limited number of hard-wired Internet connections are available on a first-come, first-served basis to bloggers who reserve by Friday, Sept. 30 with UMass Lowell Public Affairs. A media work room equipped with wi-fi will also be available during and after the debate.

This weeks Sun Political Column:

Starts off rehashing the Arch. St Police garage and the “difference of opinion” between the Supt and Police staff and the Manager on the issue. It goes on to say that the Manager sent Supt. Lavallee a contract proposal this week.

Next they take a shot at City Councilor Franky Descoteaux who seems to be taking a page from the City Manager and a reportedly growing number of Public Officials who only want to respond to the Sun in writing. The column says they called Councilor Descoteaux but instead of receiving a return call got an email posing the question in the subject line: “What may I answer for you.”

My favorite line was the Sun whining ” The Column cannot recall any councilor who handled press in such obstructionist fashion.” (because she didn’t respond to their email) Wow a councilor who wants a written record.

Maybe the reporter assigned to the City Hall beat has such a poor reputation among elected officials and the city administration for using only selected comments and quotes and partial information that they don’t want to answer him unless it’s in writing. The Manager offered proof of that this week in posting the email BOTH the Mayor, Manager and Sun received from the Executive Director of the City Solicitor and Town Counsel Association Jim Lampke regarding remarks Reporter Lyle Moran attributed to him and which Lampke denied making regarding the New Bedford Sex Offender ordinance withstanding a legal challenge. Stating the way Moran wrote it “In any event the inference that I disagreed with Ms. O’Connor’s opinion has no basis in fact.”

The Buddhists Monks have put together a “Dream team” to ensure that camp in the Pawtucketville is allowed to progress. According to the Column they have hired local contractor and former Councilor Alan Kazanjian, who has pulled a permit with the city and has begun repair work along with a pair of lawyers former state Sen. Steve Panagiotakos and Arthur Sullivan.

The Sun post the accusations made by City Councilor candidate Fred Doyle against City Councilor Rita Mercier that date back to when she first served on the council 16 years ago and the David Hall issue from 4 years ago.

The Sun touches on the unhappiness by a small group pf Dracut Housing residence over the appointment of former DHA executive secretary Maureen Wilkie to the DHA search board. Wilkie who actually ran the agency between the stroke of Joe Tully jr and the appointment of current Executive director Mary Karabatsos is certainly qualified.

The local issues end with speculation that Dave Nangle may lose the small part of Chelmsford he has when the redistricting is complete.

Onto other things..

Councilor Rita Mercier in her candidate spotlight questions that will appear here Tuesday responds to the allegations of challenger Fred Doyle..Don’t miss that!

School Committee challenger Robert Gignac must feel a little like Rodney Dangerfield. He can’t get any respect. First the gang on Saturday Morning live forget him, then the Sun Political Column ignores his comments from earlier this week.

Gignac raise the ire of several School Administrators (past and present) and School Committee members with his comments on WCAP with Teddy Panos about not feeling safe when he attended Lowell High. He stated on several occasions that he thought safety was a big issued that went unreported. Reportedly former Headmaster Bill Samaras who was in charge of Lowell High was less then happy with that statement. I imagine Committee member Dave Conway who was a Housemaster at the time was also a bit miffed.

It appears that Supt. Scott from Dracut may get a chance to go to China after all. It seems from listening to Saturday Morning Live yesterday the issue may be brought back before the School Committee. All three committee members who appeared yesterday explained their positions reasonably and without name calling so there is hope this board can unite and move on.

Also interesting to hear rumors beginning to float that 1st term Selectman Cathy Richardson who stated she wanted to be the Chair next time may instead be interested in running against State Rep. Colleen Garry.

Say a little prayer for retired Lowell Police officer Franky Dumont and send some get well wishes to my pal Jerry Dumont, husband of the fabulous Mickey, who got injured in a fall this past week.

City Council Candidate Corey Belanger has unique ad in today’s Sun that I found very creative. At first it looks like a standard campaign Party Ad but once you read it, it states NOT accepting Donations but ask you to give him YOUR ideas and thoughts on his website www.coreybelanger.com

Party Time: besides the candidate forums on Monday and Tuesday we have,

Campaign Fund Raiser Party to Elect Paul Belley for Lowell City Council Thursday, October 6 · 6:30pm – 9:30pm Longmeadow Golf Club

Finally I didn’t think an Elected Official could hold a Campaign Party on City Property even if they “rented it” but apparently I was wrong.

ALISON LARABA
Candidate
LOWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Your Perspective, Your Voice, Your Candidate.
“Join us for a Meet-the’Candidate Continental Breakfast

Host: Committee to Re-Elect Alison Laraba
Location: Shedd Park Pavilion
Date: Saturday, October 8, 2011
Please RSVP by Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Time: 9:00am to 12:00pm
Donation: $15.00