We start by giving Thanks for all who have served these United States and remember those who gave their lives in service to their country and we pray that those who now serve,(including my nephew Christopher Nutter) that they may be kept safe wherever they are stationed or deployed.
62% of registered voters turned out to vote this past Tuesday here in Lowell including 7,000 newly registered . That is Democracy in Action and gives me hope that in the next City Elections we may see at least 15% – 20% turnout.
The new voters set off an interesting statement from Councilor Nuon that according to todays Sun Political Column did not sit well with one of his fellow Councilors.
Mercier did have a strong opinion on Councilor Vesna Nuon’s comments this week that many new registered voters in the city don’t know who Mercier is.
“His statement did not sit well with me,” Mercier told The Column. “I hope those voters he is referring to did not vote blindly and knew where the people they were voting for stand on the issues
Lowell did not seem to have as many issues has other communities on Election day but Councilor Kennedy has a motion on this weeks Agenda asking for a report.
18. C. Kennedy – Req. City Mgr. prepare a report that reviews the most recent election operations and make recommendations regarding staffing and training of election office and poll workers and how to eliminate any problems that may have occurred.
One question he may want to ask is how often the Election Commissioners meet and how often in the past 3 years they have met and if the meeting agenda and minutes can be produced.
Maybe he may want to find out why the City after the Secretary of State found it unnecessary to place a Lawyer from his office here on Election Day, found it necessary to hire Marsha Weinerman the former Executive Director of Elections in Cambridge MA to be an “Election Day Observer” and at what cost? After looking at her resumes my guess is she didn’t come cheap. CAMBRIDGE..wonder why?
BTW the person who may be able to answer the most questions about the election will not be present. The Elections Dept. falls under the Leadership of the City Solicitor who I am told left for a 2 week vacation outside the country yesterday but has included in the attached packet a short write-up about the election.
Speaking of Councilor Kennedy Asst. City Manager Adam Baacke has a 23 page report in response to a JULY motion asking for a status report on the Central Business District. If you don’t believe many positive things are happening, take a look at the packet and see what has gone on and what might be happening in the next few years.
Some Highlights: In the past decade over 1,500 housing units have been developed in the downtown/Central Business District area.
The former Lowell Sun offices (not the bldg with the sign on top) was recently purchased and will become Market Rate Housing units.
147 Central St. sold for $700,000 and is being renovated along with several other properties formerly owned by the late great Atty. Louis Saab.
The report includes updates on the Lawrence Mill Complex / Perkins Development and Riverwalk.
On a less than positive note is the city is still is looking at extending the “Trolley” at an Absurd / Outrageous projected cost of 66 Million dollars for 6.9 miles of track with a operating maintenance cost of 3.3 Million yearly. Even with a pie in the sky number like 800,000 projected “riders” that still would cost $4.15 a rider per person.
In this economy with the talk of the Fiscal Cliff who in their right mind would support this boondoggle?
Congrats to the Gallager/Cavanaugh Law firm on the addition of Estate Planning, Probate and Family Law Attorney Pamela B. Pardoe
Received my Invitation for the Superintendent’s Social – A Scholarship fundraiser event at the Greater Lowell Tech in place of the usual Superintendents Dinner On Wednesday November 28th from 6:00 – 9:00 pm which will include a silent auction. Tickets are $125.00 and I’m available if you want company that night………..
Interesting idea by Councilor Martin to take control of the TECH but way to many obstacles in the way. If Councilor Martin needs insight to the school he needs only to check with his brother Brian who served on the board while living in Dracut and just lost a close race for a seat in Tyngsboro.
I did find it interesting that the Pawt. Citizens Council left the Mayor off their panic and premature email blast to the Manager, Supt. of Police and City Council on the Home Invasion.
Mayor Murphy is going to be a real interesting politician to watch. He and the Editor/Publisher of the SUN don’t get along so he hires away their best reporter and has his own PR done by her. He was (rightly so) infuriated by former Manager Taupier and his comments on City Life so he has boycotted the show and you seldom hear him on local radio. He uses others or Facebook to get his message out and he doesn’t always introduce his colleagues or the state delegation at events and doesn’t always dress in shirts and ties or suitcoats at events.
Yet he has a growing following of energetic young people with a diverse ethnic background and has made tremendous in-roads in the Cambodian – Brazilian and African Community along with Councilor Nuon they have reached new voters and gotten them involved, registered and active.
He follows and understands the changing face and participants of Lowell voters and his twin brother Dan has shown to be a great operative. I think we are beginning to see a new era in Lowell Politics, one which will be led by the Mayor along with Councilor Nuon.
I don’t agree with the Mayor on many things, think he needs to be fairer when running the Council meeting and needs to show up and answer questions from those who don’t always agree or understand/appreciate his methods but I also think he has shown in the past two elections that he knows what is required to get himself and others elected and if he finishes in the top 4 again this election I believe he is well on his way in establishing himself has the new force in Lowell Politics.
