Left In Lowell

University Ave Bridge - Your Action Needed!

44 Responses to “University Ave Bridge - Your Action Needed!”

1. No one you know Says:
   December 6th, 2005 at 1:27 pm

   It’s my understanding that Cox doesn’t want imput. If I recall correctly, when this issue
   first surfaced groups in that neighborhood requested a meeting with Cox and were told that
   his schedule is full for the YEAR!

2. A Rational Being Says:
   December 6th, 2005 at 1:36 pm

   Ok, it’s been about 20 years since I crossed that bridge on foot and I did it every day for 4 years of undergrad and 1 year of grad school. (rain, snow, wind, high river, low river, full canal, empty canal (I used to live on Decatur Street right across from St. Jean the Baptiste Church)

   Good Riddance

   If I recall, the traffic at the end of Merrimac street, alongside the hospital (actually on either side of the hospital) has always been bad. It was always a tough intersection to get through if your heading up Merrimack street and wanted to turn left towards south campus on Pawtuckett st. Is that still true?

   Check out Google Maps and go to the Sattelite Photo of the area Perhaps you can point out the new path of the bridge…

   Bummer that some of the old buildings will be lost. Hope you can reroute the bridge (no arguments - it needs to be replaced - btw I have more pictures of that bridge than I care to recall having been on the ULowell Yearbook staff for 3 years It would take me some time to find them however

3. Lynne Says:
   December 6th, 2005 at 1:53 pm

   Yes, I remember hearing that, no one! Amazing huh?

   I seem to see most of the traffic coming off Merrimack onto Pawtuckette being on the Pawtuckette St part, trying to get through the two lights which are right on top of each other on Pawtuckette. The one issue is, I think, the timing of the light coming off of Merrimack - it takes forever to get through that intersection just because of the waiting. (Especially on the Pawtuckette straight through). The worst traffic is at the Dutton St end - oy.

   Our question is: how much worse would the intersection be if everyone suddenly started to use it the way they use Mammoth Rd/School St bridge??? Has anyone even studied what’s going to happen? And the loss of the buildings isn’t even considered. Supposedly Cox and company love the city - as long as nothing gets in their way, of course.

4. Lindolfo Carballo Says:
   December 6th, 2005 at 3:42 pm

   One thing to remember is that City Manager John Cox got $50,000 to lobby demolition of Julian D. Steele, now he is asking the city of Lowell for another $50,000 to lobby demolition of a Mission Church and other buildings he’s not mentioning. The question is: Will he be able to build a bridge when he has not been able to re-build Julian D. Steele? Is he running a Division of Planning and Development? Or is he running a Division of Planning Demolitions?

   When will Mr. John Cox understand that the City of Lowell is not a company? That the City of Lowell is not a sweatshop?

   Can someone tell Mr. Cox that if you are rich or poor your voice should still count?

5. K-R-S Says:
   December 6th, 2005 at 5:04 pm

   So, he’s asking for $$$$ for demo? Where is the $$$ to actually build a bridge? Have any plans been presented? Great analogy made to Julian Steel. Half #ssed, if you
   ask me. Poorly managed, despite the good intentions at the outset.
   Don’t get me wrong, the Univ. Ave Bridge is rather scary & should be replaced. And of course, traffic flow is awful (mostly during rush hour)
   Yes, I had heard that Cox was too busy to meet with CBA. Imagine that, you’d think he was the “Queen Mum”!
   Actually Matt Coggins, runs Planning & Dev. with John having the last word on everything!
   I smell a cluster coming….and it doesn’t smell good.

6. Renee Says:
   December 6th, 2005 at 7:39 pm

   But it was the scariness that made crossing it so much fun!

   How much bigger will this bridge be for the city to demolish buildings?

   Or are they just going to move it over?

   So they bridge will be at an angle?

   Are there any proposed plans online?

7. Lynne Says:
   December 6th, 2005 at 9:00 pm

   Angle the bridge or curve it. Not that ANYONE in the public has seen the plans at all, as far as I know. Defnitely not online…

   I watched and took notes on tonight’s meeting, will post them tomorrow.

8. Narey Says:
   December 6th, 2005 at 9:02 pm

   Finally the Lowell City Council shows some spine and realizes that they are
   the decision makers for this city not the City Manager. Five strong voices
   led by Millinazo)asked when did we decide to go forward with this bridge plan?

9. Lynne Says:
   December 6th, 2005 at 11:22 pm

   You’d ‘a thunk that question would have been asked a long time ago.

   By the way, the city manager is SUCH a liar! OMG. I can’t even tell you. That guy needs to be so FIRED. I was so mad tonight.

   My commentary on tonight’s meeting will be forthcoming tomorrow, after my usual business stuff in the morning that I have to do.

10. K-R-S Says:
    December 6th, 2005 at 11:47 pm

    I agree Lynne. He “sensed that everyone was on board”…I agreed with Elliot, where is the written documentation from the state
    that funds are forthcoming. I was thrilled with Elliot tonight. I really do not appreciate Mr. Mgrs. tone when he speaks to his
    employers. I was also pleased to see the folks that came out to pseak against approving refunding the appraisals.
    $50K will go a long way in other, much more needed areas.
    Lynne, I anxiously await your narrative..Heee, Heee
    Have a great night!

11. Mike Says:
    December 6th, 2005 at 11:58 pm

    The Manager should be opening this up to the public and the neighborhood.

    Unfortunately the CBA thinks it represents everyone in the neighborhood, which it doesn’t, and has mismanaged itself to the point that nobody takes them seriously. They’ve had trouble even keeping an executive director for the last few years.

    Hope the public gets to speak on this, but also hope it’s not *just* the CBA calling the shots for the neighborhood.

12. -b Says:
    December 7th, 2005 at 12:36 am

    While I’m not happy that there are several buildings on the chopping block, the City Manager’s solution is the right one.

    The current configuration is all wrong and causes tremendous traffic problems. Currently cars from Merrimack, Salem Street, and Fletcher Street all fight to jump into a turning lane that is perhaps 30 – 40 feet long. Changing the timing on the lights isn’t going to solve the problem.

    Aligning the new bridge with the end of Merrimack Street makes sense and will greatly improve the situation.

    My understanding is that the federal and state government will pick up most of the costs on this project. The current estimate is 16.5 Million, with construction scheduled to begin late in 2007.

13. K-R-S Says:
    December 7th, 2005 at 9:10 am

    MIke,
    I agree, the bridge issue effects a far greater number of people and should be opened up. Though the CBA does need to be involved.
    Technically, through taxpayer dollars we are paying for it.
    That whole area does need to be reconfigured. I agree, changing timing on the lights, is not going to be effective.

    To back up to my comments above:

    “I was also pleased to see the folks that came out to pseak against approving refunding the appraisals”

    I have to re-phrase, ” I was pleased to see the folks that came out to speak against approving RE-funding the appraisals”.

    It will be interesting to see where those appraisals come in, as I understand two companies will come in & appraise them.
    I am curious as to how in-line or out-of-line the valuations will be to the current assessed values (by the same company that assessed all of the other properties in the city.

14. Mr. Lynne Says:
    December 7th, 2005 at 11:57 am

    Let me get this straight. The options are not shared with the public. The manager moves forward without community input. One community organization is on the ball enough to notice it on the agenda. Said organization then puts out the klaxon call to anyone who might want to speak on this issue to show up to the council meeting. Said organzaion shows up to speak their mind. Council members take notice and do the right thing.

    Is this the organization you want to criticize Mike? Seems like they were on the ball and did the right thing.

    One thing is for sure. If I hear the word “clearly” any more at these meetings to describe something that the public wasn’t aware of I’ll explode.

15. No one you know Says:
    December 7th, 2005 at 12:24 pm

    If I recall when the bridge was first closed and repaired it was learned that the city, not
    the state owns it lock stock and rusted brace! The logic of the plan (or what we’ve heard of
    it) appears to be sound, from what I’ve heard they want to take down the mission building
    and angle the “new” bridge from the end of Merrimack street to it’s present location at the
    VFW eliminating the intersection at The French St Connection and University Ave. (do they still
    call that the French St Connection there?)

    Problem is no one has been consulted publically. In addition to land taking how is it going
    to effect the canal that feeds the hydro plant? If you have traffic coming across the river
    onto Merrimack Street will that increase traffic flow on Merrimack St that currently would go
    down the French St Connection?

    It’s good to see some members of the city council finally wake up and realize the manager
    works for them, not the other way around.

    “I thought everyone was on board!” Outragous!

16. K-R-S Says:
    December 7th, 2005 at 2:26 pm

    I wonder if this was an issue he thought he had “in the bag”? Does anyone think he was surpised by the Councils reaction? Just
    curious as to what any of you all think.

17. Mike Says:
    December 7th, 2005 at 5:25 pm

    Mr. Lynne, if you are related to Lynne, I know you will defend the CBA on anything and everything they do, but the reality is they are not a respected organization in the city due to poor and unstable leadership over the last few years. Some of that leadership made it their mission to *not* work with the city on projects, and rather protest everything and anything because that’s what they thought they should be doing as a community group. They thought if they weren’t in a fighting position, they weren’t doing their jobs. Let’s not frame this like CBA has been this fantasticly run organization in the last few years, because we all know they’ve had problems and have railed against the city at every turn possible. It’s a shame the two can’t work together better, and I think the CBA was hurt by former leaders who no longer work there. I can say I know little about the current leadership, but I hope they try and reach out to make amends just like I hope the city manager does the same. Makes no sense that these groups dont work together like so many in the city do so well.

18. Lynne Says:
    December 7th, 2005 at 5:55 pm

    Oh Mike, don’t go there.

    First, he’s my husband, so related…not by blood.

    Second, he has nothing to do with the CBA. He doesn’t work with them at all. So don’t go judging before you understand the sitch.

    Third, I’ll tell you this one time and one time only: My husband works by observation. He’s one of those kinds of people that calls them as they see ‘em. He watched this meeting with me, and came to his own conclusions (and by the way, has experience with state contracts and processes).

    Fourthly, what the hell is wrong with a little agitation? My god, do you have ANY idea how hard it is to work nicely with this administration? They shut you out in an instant for stupid, petty reasons. The CBA gets protesty when they get shut out, not the other way around. I’m sorry, I won’t compromise my principles and play the dirty little game as it’s played here. I don’t expect the CBA to either.

    John Cox is a liar (yes, I’ll say it) and acts like a strong mayor when he promised not to. He’s rude and defensive to his employers (the council and the city residents). There’s a process and he constantly disrespects it. Sorry if that offends anyone’s sensibility, but that’s what I think.

19. Narey Says:
    December 7th, 2005 at 8:09 pm

    K-R-S I agree with you. Cox thought he had in the bag. He was more than
    surprised; he was shocked and as usual angry when he does not get his way.

20. Mike Says:
    December 7th, 2005 at 8:43 pm

    First, OK.

    Second, you’ve already declared your loyalty many times to CBA. Since he’s your husband, I’d expect him to be loyal to your causes.

    Third, I’m not speaking of one meeting. I’m speaking of the larger issue of why CBA isn’t taken seriously to begin with.

    Fourth, if you can’t admit there are any problems with CBA or with past leadership, that is part of the problem. I can admit the Manager should have opened this process up to the public, and should try to reach out to CBA. You can admit to no wrongdoing of the CBA, or no poor practices of the CBA in the past - and unfortunately, this is a common stance of the CBA. This, I would guess, is why relations are where they are.

    There is nothing wrong with agitation. It’s *hard* to work with the city? That’s all fine. But understand why getting into a fighting position might result in disconnected relations. The city to my knowledge has great relations with almost all of its neighborhood groups and non profits. Never read about any other complaints or issues like CBA seems to have on a regular bases. Why just this one neighborhood group has issues? Think it’s all the city’s fault? C’mon now. Do you even admit they’ve had very unstable leadership?

    Don’t get me wrong. I APPLAUD active neighborhood groups and residents. But I do think CBA has sent out the wrong message the last few years and THAT is why they aren’t taken seriously anymore. Protest, protest, protest and you wonder why the city manager doesn’t invite them to take part in everything? City seems to work well with the rest of the nonprofits and neighborhoods, unless I’ve missed something.

    Lastly, the manager is the chief executive in this form of government. Big items like this need to go in front of council and the public though, I agree 100%. CBA helped to get that done, so Bravo to them. I just don’t think the world of that organization, but that’s just my opinion which I think I’m allowed to have.

21. Mr. Lynne Says:
    December 7th, 2005 at 8:51 pm

    “Mr. Lynne, if you are related to Lynne, I know you will defend the CBA on anything and everything they do”

    That is an assumption. If you want to make a logical case, state assumptions as assumptions, not known facts.

    “they are not a respected organization in the city due to poor and unstable leadership over the last few years.”

    I am not familiar with their history. Just noting that they seem to have done exactly what responsible citizens groups should. That is, participate in one’s own government, especially in issues that effect you and your neighbors. Whatever their previous disposition they seem to have done the right thing in this case.

    “It’s a shame the two can’t work together better”

    It takes two to make an argument. If my understanding is correct, the city has a history of taking action against public and affordable housing. If I were a member of that community I’d be anxious too.

    “I hope they try and reach out to make amends just like I hope the city manager does the same. Makes no sense that these groups dont work together like so many in the city do so well.”

    I basically agree with this sentiment. Whatever thier beef with eachother, it would certianly be nice to see citezens working with government and government working with citezens.

    It should be noted however that the clear duties of public officals are to serve the public, regardless of whatever their beef is with anyone (this is why elected office is not for the faint-hearted).

    I just heard from my wife that Cox last night exclaimed last night that he would be perfectly willing to meet with the CBA. This would seem disingenous if, according to Lynne, the CBA extended just such an invitation and recieved notice that his schedule couldn’t accommodate a meeting from September through the end of the year. Not very believable. Not exaclty serving the public. And worst of all, it is pervericatory. This is clearly someone who doesn’t want civic discorse.

    Citizens should be agitated about issues that affect them negatively… but it’s not a duty. Public officals have a duty to serve, with honesty at a minimum. If you’re past experiences with the CBA leave you discouraged despite their lauditory civic participation of last night, I am similarly jaded with Mr. Cox’s actual dishonesty of the present, whatever his past (assuming what Lynne said is true… can anyone speak to it? I admittedly hear mostly one side and have only paid attention since last nigh).

22. Lynne Says:
    December 7th, 2005 at 9:13 pm

    You really don’t know my husband, Mike, so don’t presume anything.

    Chris judges things by their merits, not because I tell him to. He has a mind of his own thanks.

    As to the relationship between CBA and city, I see it differently, because I’ve seen the other end of things. So I respectfully disagree with your judgement of the relationship. I saw the city shut out the CBA. I don’t know what happened years ago, but if the city can’t come up with better reasons for shutting out hundreds of residents other than “wah, they hurt our feelings” than I have a problem with the administration.

    Frankly, the only way things get done is to make a fuss. It happened with the contaminated soil at the Stoklosa site. You use the tools you have available to you.

23. Mr. Lynne Says:
    December 7th, 2005 at 9:15 pm

    “I’d expect him to be loyal to your causes.”

    Not an unforgivable expectation. For the record, although my Wife often is my principal supplier of local news, I keep my own councel and do my best to weed out bias in recieving such news.

    Actually, if her blog site doesn’t sit well with you I encourage you to start one of your own.

    “Third, I’m not speaking of one meeting. I’m speaking of the larger issue of why CBA isn’t taken seriously to begin with.”

    I was only reacting to the meeting, which was my first and only exposure to the CBA, other than the occasional news I hear from my Wife, which I often forget. I will take her word, however, that the people she has worked with are nice people.

    “The city to my knowledge has great relations with almost all of its neighborhood groups and non profits. Never read about any other complaints or issues like CBA seems to have on a regular bases.”

    I’m not aware of other groups that represent comunities where the city’s plans and actions have had is quite so negative an effect. Can you cite some examples?

    “Lastly, the manager is the chief executive in this form of government. Big items like this need to go in front of council and the public though, I agree 100%”

    If you agree, doesn’t it follow that the seemingly back-door attempt to move this along without informing the obviously affected constituancy is particularly underhanded? Unethical?

    Are not the dishonest tactics of a public offical slightly more of a problem than a community organization that utilizes, as alleged, merely unwise antagonistic tactics? Which is the greater evil and which should you, as a citizen, be more wary of?

    “so Bravo to them… …that’s just my opinion which I think I’m allowed to have. ”

    You certainly are. You obviously have had exposure to some history of the CBA that has colored your current opinion, the details of which I am obviously unaware. If your positive sentiment is to be taken as given, you should start a scorecard and judge the group by it’s current leadership. These kinds of organizations change with time by their nature.

24. Mike Says:
    December 7th, 2005 at 9:39 pm

    “Frankly, the only way things get done is to make a fuss.”

    This, in my opinion, is pretty much the problem of the CBA attitude in a nutshell. We disagree on why that is, but let’s leave it at that.

    And Mr. Lynne, if you or your wife don’t welcome differing opinions on your blog, I’d be happy to stop posting here. Just give me the word. I don’t have the time nore the desire to start my own though.

25. Mr. Lynne Says:
    December 7th, 2005 at 9:58 pm

    “And Mr. Lynne, if you or your wife don’t welcome differing opinions on your blog, I’d be happy to stop posting here. Just give me the word. I don’t have the time nore the desire to start my own though.”

    I made no such assertion that you should stop posting. Please stop putting words in my mouth.

26. K-R-S Says:
    December 7th, 2005 at 10:05 pm

    You know, making a fuss is effective. Quite often our government processes are not quite as open & honest as they should be.
    This has been my own experience which ultimately resulted in my run for City Council.
    I have a real problem with a government that perceptually runs rough shod over the individual rights of property owners and residents..
    Until you have been on the receiving end of this negative behavior from your government, you have NO CLUE!
    Quite often, others don’t give a rats patootie, UNTIL it lands in their own backyard. Well, it landed in mine and I was not going to
    sit quietly by while our administration refused to address the issues.
    The CBA’s is an invaluable resource for those folks who live in that area of the city. I have been to many of the neighborhood
    group meetings, some are QUITE vocal in opposition to differant issues that come up and they’ve made a tremendous “fuss”.
    Irrespective of what your past experience has been with the CBA, we need to deal with the present and future.
    The Acre is facing ALOT of changes. It would be more beneficial to be supportive of their endeavors and seek out the good.

27. Lynne Says:
    December 7th, 2005 at 10:06 pm

    Mike - if you don’t like being challenged yourself, then why do you post here, at a self-professed liberal blog?

28. K-R-S Says:
    December 7th, 2005 at 10:13 pm

    Just wanted to add to my last post:
    The CBA provides the resource of information to folks that may or may not have knowledge of their own legal rights. Moral support
    and advice. Many folks throughout the city are struggling to make ends meet and prospect of having to raise funds in order to procure
    the services of an attorney or an engineer is overwhelming. Many people just don’t realize that they do indeed have rights afforded to them under law.
    I wish my own neighborhood group would have offered us up some advice when we started our “fuss”.
    We had to figure out the process on our own.

29. Mr. Lynne Says:
    December 7th, 2005 at 10:17 pm

    Actually… I was just discussing with Lynne that there is a key question about the alleged confrontational attitude of the CBA. What is typical for a confrontation is that it begins when conversation stops. That is to say that what is likely is that at some point the CBA felt it wasn’t being listened too. Given that at issue is the community’s very survival, after conversation confrontation is the only option. The key question is this… when the CBA percieved that it wasn’t being listened to, was this perception in fact accurate.

    Of course this says nothing about tactics… that is to say that some confrontational tactics are better than others. Not knowing the specifics I don’t think I can judge their tactics.

    Based on the conduct of the manager last night, however, I think it reasonable, without knowing for sure, that city manager might have stoped listening to a community group resulting the the next logical phase of confrontation.

30. K-R-S Says:
    December 7th, 2005 at 10:22 pm

    Vey Good Point Mr. Lynne!
    You reach a point where reasonable conversation has ceased and legal recourse or public protest is necessary.

31. Lynne Says:
    December 7th, 2005 at 10:26 pm

    K-R-S, I remember you talking about knowing all about that whole thing, right? The reason why you ran?

    And will run again, I hope.

32. Mr. Lynne Says:
    December 7th, 2005 at 10:31 pm

    For more on the dire consequences of ending converstation see Sam Harris’ “The End of Faith”.

    Also listen to his CSPAN appearance Idea City’05 appearance or his CSPAN appearance (long but worth it)
    http://www.samharris.org/index.php/samharris/television/

33. K-R-S Says:
    December 7th, 2005 at 10:44 pm

    Absolutely Lynne! I hope we wind up with a primary this time around, at the minimum, the order on the ballot will be shaken up
    and the encumbents may not be ordered first nine entries on the ballot. (hope that made sense).
    Also, have to respond to this,

    “Based on the conduct of the manager last night, however, I think it reasonable, without knowing for sure, that city manager might have stoped listening to a community group resulting the the next logical phase of confrontation”

    This is fairly typical behavior. This is based on my own very real, past experience with this administration. Goes back to what
    I stated a while back, “It’s his way or the highway”

    Great City Council narrative. Last night was a live one. : )

34. -b Says:
    December 7th, 2005 at 11:16 pm

    I finally get a chance to watch the city council meeting on TV to see what all the fuss is about and there’s no audio…

    Good grief!

35. Mike Says:
    December 7th, 2005 at 11:34 pm

    Lynne + Mr. Lynne:

    Mr Lynne said, and I quote:

    “Actually, if her blog site doesn’t sit well with you I encourage you to start one of your own.”

    I have never complained this site does not sit well with me. I have never complained about being challenged. So don’t put words in my mouth. I enjoy the discussion, but you people seem to get very worked up when a differing opinion is posted. Doesn’t seem like it’s very welcome here. It’s your blog, I was just offering to make things simple for you. You seem to get very upset when people don’t agree with what you are saying. I think there are reasons behind the city not being fond of CBA that are well grounded. You don’t think so. We’re adults, we can disagree. If it got you two discussing the confrontational nature of CBA then I think it was worth posting. And I think you know there is truth to it.

36. K-R-S Says:
    December 8th, 2005 at 9:19 am

    And THIS is exactly the conversation Mr. Lynne was referring too ( I think).
    I don’t always agree with what people post here, but it is a dialogue and it IS healthy.
    It would be beneficial if we had more of this dialogue outside of this blog, more often..whether it be political, economic or social issues.
    At the heart of this issue, and one we can all AGREE upon, is our government must be more open & honest.

37. Mr. Lynne Says:
    December 8th, 2005 at 10:17 am

    “I have never complained this site does not sit well with me.”

    If so, my bad. It’s just that you seem to post more disagreement that agreement. As such it gives the appearance that
    the conversations here rub you the wrong way.

    “It’s your blog”
    Its her blog.

    Suggesting you create your own blog is not a plea for you to “go away”. As such… any implication that it is
    is something you read into it that is not there in the text. To reiterate, a simple reading of the text that I posted
    shows no direction for you to “leave”. I merely thought that you seem engaged enough in your opionions that a blog of
    your own might be in order. If you read your own ideas in the text I write and get defensive about text I didn’t write,
    well I can’t help you there.

    It did get us discussing the confrontational nature of the CBA and it was worth posting. That is why NO ONE asked you
    not to post it. Stop reading into the fact that she disagrees with you as evidence that anyone means to silence
    you. If that were the desire there are much easier means of doing that considering it is her blog. The fact that she
    hasn’t is prima facia evidence that you can say what you want. So stop acting the sileced victim here. Any
    disagreement that others have with your posts do not constitute any attempt to muzzel you.

38. Darcie Boyer Says:
    December 8th, 2005 at 3:29 pm

    Mike (Mike who?) said, “Some of that leadership made it their mission to *not* work with the city on projects, and rather protest everything and anything because
    that’s what they thought they should be doing as a community group. They thought if they weren’t in a fighting position, they weren’t doing their jobs.”

    Mike, you make a lot of general statements about CBA without any specifics. Could you give some examples of positions the CBA took “against” the city? Then explain why you you think that the CBA was wrong to take that position.

    but the reality is they are not a respected organization in the city due to poor and unstable leadership over the last few years. Some of that leadership made it their mission to *not* work with the city on projects, and rather protest everything and anything because that’s what they thought they should be doing as a community group. They thought if they weren’t in a fighting position, they weren’t doing their jobs.

39. Mike Says:
    December 8th, 2005 at 10:42 pm

    Darcie, I see by your link you are with or associated with CBA. I’m glad Lynne felt it necessary to get people from the organization in on this discussion.

    I don’t profess to know the details of the CBA-city relationship, but on the website you linked your name to you can read this:

    “CBA invited the city’s planning department to participate in both of the Dane Street NET meetings to help us continue with the Upper Merrimack Street Planning process. They failed to attend either of the meetings. We have since been told by city’s “neighborhood planner” that the city no longer has the time or resources to help us with this project. This response followed the launch of our “Affordable Housing Summer Blitz”, a series of very visible actions designed to bring increased attention to Lowell’s affordable housing crisis. Following an action that we took to call attention to the city’s marketing campaign “From Mills to Martinis: Look at Lowell Now”, we were told by the assistant city manager that CBA was going to be hurt by this action.”

    This is just one example. And it’s from CBA’s website, so you would think it would be spun in CBA’s favor? The way I read it by the CBA wording of the description, the city decision was AFTER some action the CBA took against the city marketing campaign.

    Is CBA right in their beliefs? Maybe - that’s not what I’m arguing. It’s HOW they do it. It’s the core of this string. My point in this was in the world can anyone be surprised that the city manager doesn’t keep them in the loop when they are “blitzing” and taking actions against the city? Doesn’t the city give funding to CBA too? Isn’t this like biting the hand that feeds you?

    Quite honestly the only CBA director I know or remember is Frank Carvalho, but since he left I haven’t heard much positive about the organization. Mr. Lynne is right, I should pay closer attention to current leadership and maybe things are changing for the better. I sure hope so, the city and this organization NEED to be working together. Someone on either side needs to reach out in a legitimate way if there really is a messed up relationship.

40. K-R-S Says:
    December 9th, 2005 at 7:29 am

    Alot of folks, having nothing to do with the CBA, have questioned/criticised the Marketing Plan.

    Having an affordable housing blitz is means of calling attention to the needs of a great many folks who live in this city.
    I suppose CBA accomplished some of their goal…their Marketing Plan (the “Blitz”) cost zero dollars.
    And we are still talking about it, thereby continuing to bring attention to the affordable housing issue. (HA-Good for them!)

    Meanwhile Mills to Martinis cost a pretty penny and gambles on the real estate market which is inconsistent over time.

    Once again, we should be supportive looking FORWARD, not backwards.

41. Lynne Says:
    December 9th, 2005 at 9:36 am

    Exactly. If you question or challenge the current plans the city has, you get shut out.

    Good point about costing the city so much money and we’re not sure of the gain.

    From what I can tell, a lot of the good stuff happening in the city is a result of plans made a decade ago. I do not see the current plans heading us in a good direction. Julian Steele changed everything.

42. Darcie Boyer Says:
    December 9th, 2005 at 2:09 pm

    Mike,
    Again, you make some assumptions. Lynne did not “get me involved” with this discussion. I jumped in because I wanted you to share your “insights” into the CBA. Your earlier posting led me to believe that you have some knowledge of the history of the CBA, both organizationally and politically, but when asked to site some examples you say that you, “don’t profess to know the details of the CBA-city relationship”. How then can you make the statements about the CBA being mismanaged and having “poor and unstable leadership over the last few years”. The only concrete thing you came up with in response to my request was something that came from OUR website. Do you think that our “Blitz” action happened in isolation? Do you even know the history?

    Whether the CBA gets funding from the city is irrelevent. It is NOT their money to give. It is not coming from their pockets, it’s coming from our taxes and it should be distributed fairly and equitably.

43. Mike Says:
    December 9th, 2005 at 2:48 pm

    “The only concrete thing you came up with in response to my request was something that came from OUR website.”

    That was the point. It showed how CBA operates, in their very own words. I didn’t make it up, it’s on CBA’s website. I think *that* makes it a good point. An action taken against the city resulted in the city shutting out CBA. That was my point. And it’s on CBA’s website in their own words. The city should be bigger than this, but my point is that the CBA isn’t some innocent bystander.

    “How then can you make the statements about the CBA being mismanaged and having “poor and unstable leadership over the last few years”.”

    I have no problem admitting when I’m wrong, although you haven’t corrected me on this point. Who has been in charge since Mr. Cavahlo left? Didn’t they hire people, have people quit, couldn’t find people, did a couple of national searches…it was all over the paper. Don’t think it’s a big secret, but please correct me about this.

    Stay out of the snow kids, it’s nasty out there!

44. Mr. Lynne Says:
    December 9th, 2005 at 3:05 pm

    It was fine here in Boston earlieer, but now its white out conditions. If anyone has played the game “Max Payne” it is worse than that storm. It really looks intimidating when the snow falls sideways… almost literally.

    One more point on CBA history.

    It might have been construed that the “Mills to Martinis” event represented an effort to attract developers of high market units to the detriment of affordable housing and the acre’s current community. I mentioned above that confrontation starts when conversation stops. It is certainly possible that the CBA had percieved the stoping of conversation before, or even as a result of, that event. As to the claim that it hurt them, if the conversation did indeed stop and their survival was at stake, then confrontation is a logical next step. It is difficult to imagine what kind of confrontation would have prompted the assistant city manager to say that it helped them.

Leave a Reply