Left In Lowell

Council Gets First Application for City Manager

22 Responses to “Council Gets First Application for City Manager”

1. pete the pirate Says:
   April 28th, 2006 at 2:08 pm

   i saw the article, but like all of sullivan’s writings, i passed on reading him.
   did you ever consider that kendall ordered his puppy to write that to offset critcism of the newspapers influence? it was’nt satire. it was a planned distraction.

2. Lynne Says:
   April 28th, 2006 at 2:25 pm

   Wow…someone who’s more cynical than me!

   Personally, I don’t think it’s much of a distraction, if that was its intent. It rather gives more attention to the history of the Sun’s role in past hirings, if you ask me…

3. Lowellian Says:
   April 28th, 2006 at 2:47 pm

   Lynne’s cynicism is directed at the wrong people in Lowell. Sullivan’s “satire” was a subtle attempt to make those knowledgable and outspoken about the improper influence of the Lowell Sun look like crazy “conspiracy theorists”. Those who have seen the threats and intimidation tactics first hand know where to direct their cynicism. And overall,

   Sullivan’s cheap commentary about city employees and public officials (some of whom actually have some integity) was typical Sullivan style- low brow….

4. pete the pirate Says:
   April 28th, 2006 at 3:06 pm

   in other words, distract people from the truth.
   theres no denying that kendall likes to run the city, and uses people like sullivan to write slanted articles to support him, and stomp on everyone who disagrees.

5. new hampshirian Says:
   April 28th, 2006 at 3:14 pm

   If even half of what you suspect is true, sounds like this blog is a great foil for the Lowell Sun.

6. new hampshirian Says:
   April 28th, 2006 at 3:18 pm

   Seems to me that so much of what is really going on in Lowell politics is perculating just below the surface and looking for a way out. My suspicions are that the dialogue over the CM’s resignation was being “played” on the blog as well as the Sun. Unfortunately for those accustom to pulling the strings, when you open a forum like this up to anyone, you cannot always control the message. Blog on, my friends, blog on.

7. No one you know Says:
   April 28th, 2006 at 6:20 pm

   Here’s a new name that I heard yesterday. I don’t know my source’s source.
   Atty Phil Neiman.
   He’s certainly one of the “go to” guys if you need to go before the Planning Board or ZBA.
   Interesting.

8. Mr. Lynne Says:
   April 28th, 2006 at 10:53 pm

   Lynne could restrict the comments on this blog. She believes enough in transparency and open dialogue that she kpeeps it open. She doesn’t even diallow anonymous posting.

9. Mimi Says:
   April 29th, 2006 at 9:09 am

   I found Paul’s column to be funny. At least he is consistent.

   and No One, I heard the same name on WCAP promoted by the morning hosts.

10. Lowellian Says:
    April 29th, 2006 at 10:50 am

    Anybody read my blog of yesterday at #3 above?? And Kendall’s “Saturday Chat” of today? Pretty funny. He comes right out and uses the term “conspiracy theory” and refers to those who question the improper influence of the Lowell Sun as “conspiracy police”!!

    Kendall sounded very defensive today. Maybe that’s because he just conned a group of 6 into what is turning out to be the biggest BLUNDER of their political careers not to mention what is certain to be a setback for the City!! And, in typical fashion, he tells them what they should say to defend themselves. A real debate about those reasons would lead to the thinking man to conclude that they are purely manufactured and that the council has some answering to do. But the group of 6 don’t want that and Kendall buys in by the barrell.

    And by the way, does anybody else find Kendall’s “Saturday Chats” to be embarassing to read?? They are always about how great he is, who he played golf with, blah, blah, blah….”chatting down” to his poor, lowly minions. It is pathetic!!

    Earth to Kendall…..You’re not Franklin Roosevelt giving his “Fireside Chat”…….It’s a joke!!

11. inside/outside Says:
    April 29th, 2006 at 11:40 am

    And how he jetsets with the Media News bigwigs like he’s Perry Mason, editor of the Daily Planet or something…lol

12. inside/outside Says:
    April 29th, 2006 at 11:49 am

    oops…I mean Perry White…tff

13. No one you know Says:
    April 29th, 2006 at 12:35 pm

    I agree with you Lowellian about the so-called Saturday morning “chat”, it’s usually Wallace breaking his arm
    patting himself on the back, and telling us about his latest trip to Florida or Denver (makes me wish he’d stay there) if you believe his drivle you’d think that the city fathers aren’t needed, everything good in Lowell is because he is at the helm of the newletter. I say perhaps we should ask the council to change the name of Lowell to Kendalltown!

    Maybe the Lowell delegation could get lawmakers to change the state’s name to Wallace and get rid of that
    annoying Native-American name, Massachusetts!

    A fitting tribute to the man!!!!!!!!

    Perry White had Superman, Kendal Wallace has Sullivan! Wonder if he wears tights with a big “S” on them? LOL

14. Mike Says:
    April 29th, 2006 at 3:55 pm

    This buried in the Sun today:

    Former City Council hopeful Mitchell charged in domestic
    The Lowell Sun

    LOWELL — Former City Council candidate Darius Mitchell was arrested after a domestic dispute Thursday night, police said.

    Police said they were called to Mitchell’s home at 48 East Pine St. shortly before midnight because he was quarreling with his longtime girlfriend. Police said he poured water on her face.

    Mitchell, 32, has pulled papers to run for state representative but hasn’t returned them. He has run twice unsuccessfully for Council, most recently last November.

    When officers tried to put handcuffs on Mitchell he resisted, and punched and kicked the officers, said Sgt. Jack Davis, adding police had to use pepper spray to subdue him.

    Mitchell was charged with domestic assault and battery, assault and battery on a police officer, intimidating a witness, resisting arrest and giving a false name to police. He was also charged with a warrant for failing to appear for jury duty and three default warrants for failing to appear in court on motor-vehicle charges.

15. Mike Says:
    April 29th, 2006 at 4:05 pm

    Also, Julian Steele is back on track.

    Ground broken on Steele - again
    By MICHAEL LAFLEUR, Sun Staff

    LOWELL — Since the first official groundbreaking for the Julian D. Steele reinvention project, in May 2003, the New England Patriots have won a Super Bowl, and the Boston Red Sox won their first World Series in 86 years.

    In that time, work started, stalled and stagnated at the site of the former public housing complex, located off Gorham Street near the Chelmsford line. Plans called for the 90 single-family homes and 45 duplexes slated to comprise Steele’s mixed-income successor, the Rivers Edge on the Concord subdivision, to be built by December. Today, none have been completed.

    But the project now is back on track, with the first seven single-family homes and seven duplexes expected to be built by late July. Foundations already are visible from Gorham Street.

    A housing lottery for the right to buy the first three “affordable” homes is scheduled for May 24.

    That accomplishment was celebrated yesterday with another groundbreaking.

    “This really was a day that many of us over the years thought may never happen,” said City Manager John Cox, who played a large role in cultivating the state Legislature’s support for the project. “This really is a special day.”

    City Councilor James Milinazzo did not speak during yesterday’s ceremony, but the former Lowell Housing Authority executive director was singled out for praise by several speakers, including his successor, Gary Wallace, for being one of the plan’s architects.

    While that first May day in 2003 was overcast and gray, yesterday morning was clear and sunny.

    Diane Silva, president of the Residents First Development Corp., which has been charged by state and local officials with overseeing the Steele redevelopment, found that a fitting contrast.

    “I really knew we could do this, and that’s why we’re here,” said Silva, a volunteer who has been steering the project since its darkest days. “Today is a much better day than that first groundbreaking.”

    Lowell Mayor Bill Martin, who grew up in the area, said, “This is the most significant investment by the government in this neighborhood in my lifetime, and I don’t think that should go unrecognized.”

    Concord-based O’Brien Enterprises LLC is under contract to complete the homes in the first two “zones” of the six-zone project — 22 single-family homes and 14 duplexes in all.

    But the project still is not out of the woods.

    While the plan ultimately calls for O’Brien Enterprises to build all of the homes in the project, the financing will get more difficult as home construction reaches land nearer to the Concord River and the water table gets higher.

    It still is unclear whether the 13 homes slated for zone 6 — the last segment to be built, lying at the end of Nelson Avenue in the project — even can be erected at that site, as construction costs will be so expensive there.

    For more information about purchasing a home at Rivers Edge on the Concord, call Kevin Ahern at (978) 656-4667 or visit the subdivision’s Web site, www.riversedgelowell.com, which is expected to running within two weeks.

    Michael Lafleur’s e-mail address is mlafleur@lowellsun.com.

16. Renee Says:
    April 29th, 2006 at 8:17 pm

    I’m really curious about the asking price for the homes and the restrictions for those who own under the affordability guildlines. Trying to apply, win, and own an affordable home can be such a hassle that after looking into it my husband and I just bought something we could fix up.

    I saw Philip Nyman’s name up for City Manager on the electronic sign of the Funeral Home off of Gorham Street, right next to his office near the Superior Court house on Wednesday. I just found it odd.

17. waittilnextyr Says:
    April 30th, 2006 at 7:48 am

    As for CM applications, the desire to have a professional will likely require a substantial increase in salary, a contract, or some combination of both.

    Looking within the current administration, the parking department manager should not be overlooked. He has a background of managing a tech company that he left during the bust of 2000, but those skills plus his current experience may produce a good manager at an affordable cost. And it sounds like he has at least one vote on the council.

18. inside/outside Says:
    April 30th, 2006 at 3:31 pm

    I like the name of Diana Prideax-Brun in the Column today. Professional, buildt arena, ballpark, etc. Looks like she could get things done, work with people, plus be first woman manager Lowell’s ever had.

19. Mark Says:
    May 1st, 2006 at 6:52 am

    Here is why Phil Nyman will not be the next CM - 1. he lives in Andover and is not about to move to Lowell and the city Council will have a CM that does not live here. 2. He makes a fortune as a lawyer and the Manager pay, even if it is increased would be a HUGE pay cut for Mr. Nyman!

20. dan m Says:
    May 1st, 2006 at 8:11 am

    Stopped reading and respecting Paul Sullivan when he enodrsed Bush, again. Still waiting for his “Boy, was I wrong” article, I wont hold my breath.

21. new hampshirian Says:
    May 1st, 2006 at 11:09 am

    Back to the Lowellian’s point about the inclusion of “conspiracy theory” in Wallace’s article, reminds me of the Wizard of Oz’s “pay no attention to the man at the machine! Wallace thinks himself a darling of the rich and powerful, maybe even a mighty force himself, but if you consider his “conspiracy” strategy on another level you begin to see that channels of influence outside of the SUN dilute his newspaper’s ability to affect change. If the Sullivan article was planted, what track was it meant to throw us off? Don’t kid yourselves, Wallace has a definite stake in the “appointment” of the next CM. What role “the people” play in that process will all depend on access to information.
    As in the Wizard of Oz, the man behind the machine is the very person we should pay attention to—-lots of attention.

22. Tom Says:
    May 4th, 2006 at 5:07 pm

    Its the classic good-cop bad-cop thing. Sullivan never met a corpse he didn’t like. Wallace sets out his agenda on Saturday mornings. Both can spew their venom on Sunday mornings without a byline and hide behind the other six names listed in the column. If they had any real stones, they’d eliminate the column or list their initials after each tidbit.

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