We Gonna Rock Down to Electric Avenue
Looks like another candidate for City Council is taking to electronic mediums to spread the word about himself. It may not be a blog, but I got an email from candidate Richard Douglas letting people know the following:
Tomorrow, September 21st, I will be a guest on WCAP 980’s Morning Information Team from 7:30am to a little before 8am.
George Anthes is the host. I’m expecting that the candidate interview will be more challenging than some others that I’ve had. In any case, if you happen to be awake at that time, please tune in!
Within the next 48 hours, we’re going to have some videos available online from various campaign experiences.
I don’t know much about Richard, so if I can possibly tune in tomorrow I will. The funny thing is that I never asked to be on his email list, so someone is reading this blog and included me. Which is great - I’m not complaining, I’m happy to promote anything that helps readers engage in the process of this election. If Bud Caulfield emailed me his campaign schedule, I’d probably write about that, too. You all have to decide for yourselves who to vote for. I won’t promise not to inject my opinion into what I write, however. 
September 20th, 2005 at 9:27 pm
Did you happen to hear this mornings interviews with Eileen D and George Ramirez? The first wasn’t so bad, but I found myself screaming at my radio this morning.
McDonough asked George “if he would fir John Cox”….silence…then…”Oh no”. The appropriate response would have been, “If a manager fails to do his job or falls short despite repeated requests to do better…then of course we would have to consider firing the manager”
UGH!
And his schtick is the same OVER & OVER again….this person (GR) is attemtping to sell to the people of this city that he is the next Dick Howe..Don’t think so folks!
I don’t foresee him sticking his neck on much for the residents of this city..would also like to note, the GR’s in-laws are the Leahy’s (school cmmtt and frmr senator). And the Leahy’sare married into other families within the city that are big into development.
How can one’s judgement be transparent, if not questioned to to a large degree when your family members are seemingly a part of the Old Guard?
I rant and rant…I must stop…
I can’t stand it!
Vote a FRESH face!
September 20th, 2005 at 9:32 pm
One way to combat this is to understand and codify the power structure in this city. That’s definitely a goal worthy of reaching…and I know people who are looking at these things. Knowledge is power, and if we can get the information out to the people about how things really are done, perhaps we can then elicit some change.
Or at least, we can make people face the cronyism and conflict of interest. Of course, this is a job the Sun is supposed to be doing.
Ha, ha! I kill myself with comedy sometimes.
September 20th, 2005 at 9:38 pm
The whole process is SO VERY INCESTUOUS!
September 20th, 2005 at 9:53 pm
It seems to me that most of life is like this…people get nice jobs in companies because of who they know, are married, or related to…politics is often run much the same way.
This happens because we let it happen. Incompetent people get promoted into corporate middle management, city managers who are unelected lord it over elected officials, and media conglomerates refuse to really dig into the issues of the day, all because we’re too comfy in our lifestyles, and at the same time too busy trying to keep it all hanging together to pay attention to the people whose power affects our lives greatly, but in ways we can’t see unless we look hard.
That’s where communication, citizen reporting, and voter education and action come in! It’s why in the face of the insurmountable some of us keep trying to break through. Because it’s worth it to make some progress, even if you always seem to be fighting the same battles.
It’s why I sit there and go buggy-eyed watching city council meetings. Information is power. Information is required before you can demand accountability.
September 20th, 2005 at 10:41 pm
Well Lynne, I’m buggy eyed right along with you..Frankly, I find the council mtgs. humorous at times and then at other times, frustrated because they’ve wasted precious time in naming yet another square.
I want to see more scrutiny by the council on issues around spending, good government and economic development (not just at election time).
It is well worth it to keep hammering away at it. If we speak up enough about it, more people start listening & realizing that they too, have a say in their own destiny.
September 21st, 2005 at 11:19 am
What can I say? I agree with all of this and want to send another reminder to VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!!!!!
Preferably not for any of the incumbents. We have a historical record for these people, and it is not flattering. In fact I find it rather shameful and embarassing to have a council that takes its and direction and creates policy as directed by the Lowell Sun (respectfully, Mr. Wallace) instead of the people of the city.
But, this is our own fault for keeping them all for such a long time.
TD
September 21st, 2005 at 12:21 pm
I agree that most of the incumbents do not deserve to be re-elected. But we need to be realistic and evaluate what changes, even small, can be made. The worse thing would be for the 6 of them joined by a Cox-yes-man to get elected without exposing them collectively as the rubber-stamping, ineffective elected officials they have become.
Goldie is right George Ramirez is not Dick Howe. What is going to happen once he leaves?
I guess the Council meetings will be real short consisting of honoring a family by naming a square after them; applauding the “fine” work of the admnistration and making sure that cronyism remains in tact.
September 21st, 2005 at 2:52 pm
Boy, you got it, Narey! I would also be concerned about a blanket endorsement of the challengers. One, for example, is Zaim, and he has already been caught having a fund-raising party at the home of a planning board member, who is also a favored developer in the city.
Are there any of the current 8 incumbents that would be either worthy of a vote, or at least a better alternative to some challenger? And which challengers could go in with the interest of the general populace foremost in their minds, even if they may later become influenced by the “system” (read, R. Mercier)?
One problem with finding the right person is that it is not sufficient that their intentions are good, but they must also have the strength of character to fight the good fight, and not kow-tow to the first argument that is put before them. Look at how the current council accepted the poor answers given to them last week on the subject of evaluations, free cash and taxes. Of course, their silence may belie their real reasons for keeping such information quiet for now.
September 21st, 2005 at 5:10 pm
waittilnextyr-Zaim had his first fundraiser at the home of the ZBA chaiman and the rest of your info is correct. The Planning Board Chairman is another set of bananas all together.
The admisnistration is very actively attempting to shore up his power base.
September 21st, 2005 at 5:11 pm
Pardon me…my brain is way too fast for my digits:
Instead of..The admisnistration is very actively attempting to shore up his power base.
The comment was “The administration is very actively attempting to shore up their power base.