Not much in the Sun today, Political column is quiet, mostly offering more excuses for the Treasurer leaving other than the character assassination by Rodney and the Sun.
Speculation that Ed Kennedy will try to set himself up as an alternative Mayoral Candidate.
A whack at Alison Laraba about her motions and Jackie Doherty’s reaction to one of them.
Two repeats from earlier in the week from their Column Blog, one about the Lowell police union in turmoil (posted on Friday (still there) and the other about the hiring of the new LTC director (posted Thursday).
They left out the BEST Sun Column Blog item from the week (maybe because it wasn’t from Chris Scott) which was posted Friday Morning.
It was this by Jen Myers (direct from the Sun Blog which I have now added a link to in the Blog roll on the left side)
Mayoral rodeos leave bruises
Posted on November 18, 2011
Today’s first post brought to you by Sun Senior Writer Jenn Myers
Mayoral Battles always seem to be kind of like riding a bucking bull and this go around, where it appears the contenders will be Councilors Rodney Elliott and Patrick Murphy, is not Elliott’s first rodeo.
In 2001: A five-councilor contingent led by Mayor Eileen Donoghue was considering supporting either Elliott or Bill Martin for the post. Elliott, in an attempt to derail Martin’s bid, said Martin should be deemed ineligible because his wife was a Lowell teacher and therefore he could not participate in teacher contract negotiations in the Mayor’s role as chair of the School Committee.
When it came for the vote, Elliott jumped ship to the Rita Mercier for mayor camp, casting the deciding fifth vote that gave her the job.
In 2003: The mayoral race was less dramatic, with Armand Mercier garnering enough support to become mayor shortly after the election. However, Elliott did call Martin and offer his support if Martin was interested in making a go at the job.
But, Martin, still feeling the sting from the 2001 race, was not interested in entering into any alliances with Elliott. Martin said he saw Elliott’s move simply as an attempt to derail Armand Mercier’s bid. The next day Elliott asked Martin to support his own bid for the post. That campaign died a quick death.
In 2005: the race was Elliott vs. Bill Martin, with Martin coming out on top. He drew support from Donoghue, Jim Milinazzo, George Ramirez and Armand Mercier. Elliott got support from Kevin Broderick, Edward “Bud” Caulfield and Rita Mercier.
In 2007: It was Caulfield vs. Elliott. As councilors began taking sides, there was a bit of a dust-up between Elliott supporter Martin and Caulfield supporter Rita Mercier. Martin said Elliott should get the nod because he was the longest-serving councilor who had not been mayor. He added that Rita Mercier and Caulfield should be magnanimous and throw the self-proclaimed fiscal watchdog Elliott a bone of support.
Mercier was not pleased. She said that if Martin believed the longest-serving councilor should get the position, he should not have “leap-frogged” over him two years earlier.
Caulfield won.
In 2009: Elliott briefly toyed with the idea of throwing his hat in the ring, but pulled himself out of contention early-on. There was little drama as the council voted to name Milinazzo mayor.
Elliott cast the crucial fifth vote that made Mercier mayor in 2002, but after the 2007 election, she said “I don’t owe Rodney anything,” adding she “fulfilled my obligation,” by voting for him against Martin in January 2006.
Following this month’s election, however, Mercier said she will support Elliott over Murphy because she “owes” him for supporting her 2002 mayoral bid.
A few other items..
Funny how the SUN always lectures the administration on Transparency and yet they listed the City Clerk finalist but didn’t give us the breakdown by each councilor on who they selected. Guess there logic is Transparency is only for the Administration NOT the candidates who spent their campaign money with them.
This year there seems to be a growing animosity between the Greater Lowell Tech School Committee and Teacher’s Union both releasing information about the contract status and negotiations.
Wonder why the Sun seems to be pushing Rodney for Mayor? He spent $3,424.65 with them,Patrick Murphy spent $0 – Ed Kennedy (who they floated today) $2400 (not that spending with them would cloud their judgement at all.)
Glad Jack on LIL killed the dumb Mendonca rumor. Jack and I both take heat for publishing rumors but the Sun has done that for years in the column so what’s the difference if we do it?
Lowell will be getting a new Governor’s Councilor in Mary Ellen Manning because of the redistricting. Mary Ellen has been a rational and fair vote on judges and we will see her in the next few months making herself known in the greater Lowell area. She will be at both the Fred Simon Party and at the Lowell Sun for the Salvation Army Radiothon and to also support the Sun Santa Fund.
Paul Belley wants to help out the City and get you involved. Here’s a message from Paul:
Dear Friends
As Christmas is upon us we are lucky that the City of Lowell still holds the tradition of displaying the nativity scene outside City Hall. I remember as a child going to see it every year as did many families from and outside of Lowell. I visited it last year at this time and found it to be in disrepair and needed much attention. I began to look into maybe the GLTH students or the artist community or the business community to see if they could help in repairing it our purchasing a new one. Unfortunately I became busy and dropped the ball and here I am asking you to help in this matter. Please visit it and tell me what you think,and together as neighbors we can come up with a plan to refurbish it or replace it to continue this wonderful tradition.
Thank you
Paul Belley
Rosemont Neighborhood Group
Also the City Wide Parent Council wants you to join them Monday Night, here’s an invite from Cindy McAndrews:
2012 Elected School Committee Meet and Greet
Monday, November 21, 2011
Lowell High School, Creegan Television Studio, 7:00 p.m.
The Citywide Parent Council has invited the newly elected members of the Lowell School Committee. The CPC has invited David Conway, Robert Gignac, James Leary, Connie Martin, Kristin Ross-Sitcawich, and Kim Scott. Come and join us for this opportunity to meet your newly elected Committee Members who will take office in January. Learn more about where they stand on issues that affect your child’s education and ask any questions you may have. This event will be televised on LET Channel 22.
All parents are encouraged to attend.
“An informed parent is an involved parent!”
For more information email lowellcpc@yahoo.com
