1) The conclusion to the Water Department Investigation – Can you take scrap metal if there isn’t a policy saying you can’t? Was this past practice in that (and other) City Depts. and in place up until 2010 /2011? Can Mr. Lahiff stay on as dept. head and should he? All these will be answered in the first quarter of 2013
2) A Contract extension for the City Manager – With 1% tax increase last year and 0% this year will a move be made before this budget season to extend the City Manager’s contract? Will his contract be an election year issue? We know he isn’t Cambridge bound.
3) Does Superintendent Mary Jo Santoro get a new contract and does she want one? She is only the 2nd female Superintendent of that school and the first of any superintendent to get a major renovation project passed. However the constant bickering and fighting with a couple of the Lowell School Committee members and her recent comment that “I don’t work for the School Committee,” puts into serious question if she should or would ask for a new contract.
4) A new Dracut Town Manager Search and Selection – Dennis Piendak is set to retire in November so a search and how it is conducted will be monitored closely has will the final selection.
5) A New Tyngsboro Police Chief – Today’s Sun has a story on Deputy Police Chief Richard Bur-rows resigning to go to Acton and a recent health issue suffered by Chief William Mulli¬gan has many speculating that he will be retiring soon. Possible replacements – Tyngsboro’s own Christopher C. Chronopoulos , Lowell Officer and former Tyngsboro Tech School Committee member Steve O’Neil and Lowell Police Lieutenant Timothy Crowley who got his start in Tyngsboro.
6) The Lowell Licensing Board / Downtown Issues – At least 1 new member will be appointed in January and then the question is what if any of the regulation suggestions submitted by the City Council /Administration will be enacted? Does the board get expanded to 5 members?
7) The 2013 City Elections – Every sitting Council member is expected to run, same for the School Committee. Who will be the opposition and what will the main issue of both races be? Will Jim Milinazzo, Jackie Doherty and / or Allison Laraba attempt a comeback?
8) Do we Change the form of Elected Government in Lowell? – John MacDonald has kept this issue alive since the end of the last election. Ray Weicker who was removed from the License Board by the Manager has chimed in with his support and last Friday on City Life Councilor Rodney Elliot favored the idea of a strong Mayor. Will they try to get a binding or non binding referendum on the ballot or is this all a verily thin anti-Bernie Lynch campaign?
9) Lowell High and the City’s Master Plan update – Lowell School Committeeman Jim Leary is leading the charge to get Lowell High School looked at and included in the city’s Master Plan. The Plan is open for review coming up in early 2013 and the renovations and upgrades are essential if Lowell is truly committed to quality education.
10) The Political Climate of Lowell – The turnout in this city’s election will be telling. While many object to my ‘old Lowell’ versus “new Lowell’ comparison this year’s election will be very telling. If as many predict Mayor Murphy and Vesna Nuon are in the top 4 and the turnout in the heavily populated immigrant wards are high then we have reached a turning point in the city and in the political circle. They are the new leaders in Lowell politics and will bring along those who believe and support their direction.
Gerry, you say “She is only the 2nd female Superintendent of that school”, but how many Superintendents have there been? It isn’t like she is a token female. She is the real deal. With real accomplishments.
Happy New Year!
And thanks for nothing re this new Comment Sign-In Policy (I am now a “WordPress” kind of guy). Can we now get “Print Preview”?
Because now I don’t know how I put my name on my comment, like I used to.
Regards — Cliff
I would like a expanded to five members /on the licensing board…..I would like to see someday Jim Milinazzo back on the city councilors…and the timing is right 2013 election to bring in strong Mayor…
Gerry I think the sudden resignation of Archie Trainor from the Water Dept. says it all. He will be the fall guy for the Managers Buddy who is at the helm of the Water Dept. As far as Ms. Santoro and the GLTHS Committee I think the petty harrassment B.S. should end. Do what is best for the Kids at the school. Also, having sold my home in Lowell to move to N.H. last November I wish A Happy and Healthy New Year to All. God Bless Everyone and their Families in 2013 .
Note to those scoring from home, crk01852 is who used to be C R Krieger. C R Krieger is in the phone book. “crk01852″ is in some WordPress database. “crk01852″ will likely only show up here. Other places it will still be C R Krieger.
It is a new year. We try new things! (Well, except for that “strong mayor” thing.)
Regards — Cliff
OK, so someone showed me how to change my name by going in and updating my profile. I also tried to add a photo, but it seems to be “No Joy”. So, now “crk01852″ is back to “C R Krieger”. At least I hope so.
Like Blanche Dubois “I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.”
Regards — Cliff
Gerry, thank you for outlining the discussion regarding Lowell High School’s future and the needs of the current and future students. It is imperative that the entire city begin this discussion now. I am confident that the final outcome will be positive for the entire city and its students. As Lowell High School and the Lowell Public Schools go so does the entire city of Lowell.