There will be much speculation has to why Cliff Krieger was snubbed and not selected to the Tech School Committee. On City Life this Morning George wondered if it was because he was a Republican and if you look at those who voted for Boutin – Edward Kennedy, John Leahy, Martin Lorrey, Bill Martin David Conway, Robert Gignac and Mayor Murphy you might think that George had a point. Most are loyal,strong Democrats but I’m not buying that. Vesna Nuon who is usually attached at the hip with the Mayor and has appeared in WARREN Commercials is a strong democrat who voted for Cliff has did former LIL member Kristin Ross Sitcawich and Rita Mercier. Kim Scott who recruited Krieger to run is an independent with a strong lean to the Dems.

Chris Scott in his column blog noted a week ago that former City Manager William Taupier was calling around on Kriegers’ behalf and both the City Life host have been supportive of Cliff. The Mayor has stopped appearing on City Life since former Manager Taupier attacked him and after the Mayor walked on the show to confront him. The Mayor clearly dislikes Mr. Taupier and the City Life crew and because Taupier was calling around on Kriegers behalf, I have to wonder if this combined with the support of Councilors Elliot and Mercier cost Cliff Krieger the Mayor’s support?

If you haven’t noticed, the Mayor is a bully who can’t take a punch. If you are critical of the Mayor he stops responding to questions,sending emails or appearing on shows. He was the person who stated he was going to have an “Open” process and select the best candidate and yet if you look at the resume’s the better man wasn’t chosen. I think he voted for Boutin to take a swipe at some of the “Old Lowell” crowd who he feels disrespect him.

If you follow Lowell Politics you know that even though he is active and has shown he can get the votes, Mayor Murphy rubs people the wrong way. He like many of this under 30 generation don’t show a great deal of respect or appreciation to the older “political” crowd who have done things one way and aren’t into the progressive way and technology of today.

You can’t say that those who received endorsement from Move Lowell Forward showed any loyalty or felt indebted to Cliff. Bill Martin and the Mayor both voted against him while Mercier and Elliot who did not received Move Lowell Forwards endorsement supported him. Maybe Cliff should have had a white paper written about his qualifications and presented it to the Council. We know they take those from Move Lowell Forward.

I don’t know Ray Boutin and like Cliff I wish him the best of luck. He’s going to need it going in knowing that 2 school committee members and the Dean of Discipline were all working against him. Combined with the Superintendent charging a School Committee member with harassment and gender bias the job isn’t easy and is going to get worst before it gets better.

I’ve heard that the Superintendent has opened “Pandora’s Box” by alleging this harassment. The Sun has reportedly requested all emails she has exchanged with Mr. Gitschier and both she and Mr. Gitschier have hired lawyers. His Lawyer will or has asked for all email correspondence she has had with all committee members and there is a story floating around that one member who has family working at the school asked about the status of raises dealing with the bargaining unit that the family member works in during negotiations. This entire board will be open to attack and this situation will only worsen an already bad morale problem at the school.

In hindsight, Cliff may end up Thanking the Mayor for the snub.

The Brown defeat has no bearing on either Dave Nangle or Rita Mercier’s reelection or vote totals.

According to some the Mayor and Councilor Nuon continue to show they can get the minority community involved and we could be starting to see a change in the way Lowell Votes. The talk is Lowell is beginning to see a change in the voting patterns and the Mayor has shown he understands that trend and is doing an admirable job working it. If he finishes in the top 4 again next year then we know times are indeed changing.

The Mayor also has made some strong connections State wide which may help him in the future.

Did you notice that Bill Martin was seen at many events in the final weeks of the campaign. Maybe he’s interested in the Mayor’s post for next term?

I do think Warren’s attack on Brown that he was against women was very effective and the poll # show that. However I think it would be hypocritical to see the same people who loved Warren for her attacks, bash Councilor Elliot when he attacks. If its okay for one why not the other?….I mean beside the fact he’s attacking your binkies?

Time to move on and the speculation for next year’s Council and School Committee races will begin. Who (if anyone) serving now will NOT run? Will John MacDonald or Corey Belanger try again? Who besides Cliff will run for the school committee? Will Alison or Jackie try for a comeback?

With the State facing lower than expected revenue, will city’s face a cut in Local Aide or will other programs suffer first?

What does it say when a majority of the Board of Selectman oppose something but it passes overwhelmingly anyway? Is it the need for housing is greater than they think or will those on the losing side say it was due to the small turnout? You want to keep this way of Government, than you can’t complain when you can’t get your people out to attend a meeting while the other side can and did.

Will anyone in Dracut come out in opposition to the Tech renovation? If I were Victor Olsen or Paul Morin I’d be meeting with Colleen Garry and Joe Wilkie and get them to support it and help it through.

Will her loss in the State Rep. race hurt Cathy Richardson if she runs for re-election? The biggest complaint I’ve heard has more to do with her husband Bill and his attitude than it does her. I grew up with and know Billy and we get along but he does rub people the wrong way and that has hurt Cathy IMHO.

Hats off to Suffolk University and Dave Palaeologus who predicted the Warren win and was only slightly off the final number.

I don’t think Scott Brown could have done anything to stop the Democratic tidal wave and I tip my cap to the democratic “machine” that got out the vote for a Democratic sweep. They even saved John Tierney and I didn’t think that was possible.