Left In Lowell

…As a liberal blogger, that is…one who was so verrrrrry discouraged by the chances of Democratic challenger Paul Hodes (who is neck and neck with Bass in the polls) that he was encouraging his friends to go work for someone else’s campaign in another state.

Only, it was uncovered that a staffer of Rep. Bass was the culprit, by way of the moron’s use of official computers to post - his IP address was logged on the blogs in question. Everyone thought it must be some low-level young eager staff member; but no, it was Bass’s #2 aide.

It is, of course, illegal to use official US House time and materials for campaigning, which this deceptive spree most certainly is. The guy’s resigned, and it’s rather embarrassing for the Representative to our north. It even made the Union (Mis)Leader!

I just had to write about this mistake, because I really want to see Bass booted. You can, if you are so inclined, donate to Paul Hodes (via BMG’s ActBlue page).

Here’s how the Lowell volunteer schedule is shaping up for the next week in terms of phone banking, visibilities, and canvasses for the Democratic ticket.

Wednesday, Sept 27, 5:40 pm, Visibility outside the Blue Shamrock, 105 Market St – Visibility for Patrick/Murray at a fundraiser for Senator Panagiotakos. It looks like we will have Tim Murray there at around 6pm (Deval had a conflict for tomorrow night) so we want to roll out a sea of Patrick and Murray signs! We provide the signs, you provide the enthusiasm! Plus it’s your chance to meet and shake hands with a member of the winning team. Afterwards, if you want to give a donation to Senator Panagiotakos’s campaign, his fundraiser will be held inside.

Thursday, Sept 28, 6:30-8:30pm PHONE BANK, 55 Middlesex St, Suite 220, N. Chelmsford – We will meet and do phone banking. We have plenty of lines so please stop on by! If you can let me know if you’re coming ahead of time that would be great.

Saturday, 10am-noon CANVASSING in Lowell – Please Note the Change in Time! We are unsure as yet where we will meet (that will largely depend on what part of Lowell we make up canvassing packets for) but we’ll have that soon. In the meantime, if you ONLY can make it for the previously listed time of 1pm, please let me know, we can send out extra people in the afternoon. (The more, the merrier!). Again, it would be great to get a headcount, so RSVP if you can make it! (Don’t let that stop you from coming at the last minute though!)

We will have regular weekly phone banking hours starting soon, at the new regional campaign office at 1 Chelmsford Square, Chelmsford (we’re just waiting on phone lines to be installed).

If you have signs from the visibilities at the polls last Tuesday, we will be collecting them soon, or you can use them for tomorrow’s visibility if you’re going. Or keep them for future visibilities!

Don’t forget! If you want to send a donation to Patrick/Murray, you can direct it through this Lowell Team Patrick page so we can keep track of Lowell donors and also put it towards a possible Lowell fundraiser.

And remember…

Together We Can!

So, this is it! The last lap around the track. If we win, the prize is the governor’s seat - and finally, someone who cares about good governance sitting in it.

To that end, I’ve put up a fundraising page for Lowell. There have been countless people asking me, where do I donate? This is a good place! If and when we put together a fundraiser for Deval in Lowell, any donations put through our Lowell page will count towards that. So give a little or give a lot, but if you can, give! And there will be future emails and posts about ways you can volunteer. I’m working on a couple for this week and weekend in fact (please let me know if you can make a 6:30pm phone bank this Thursday, or a 1pm canvass in Lowell on this Saturday, so I can start to get a headcount).

Hope you’ve had some nice time off…we’re going to be busy these next 6 weeks!

Tonight, at 6pm, the first of a series of governor’s debates will air on Fox 25. Then, if you’re in the area, you can head to Jimmy Tingle’s for a Blue Mass Group unity party, which should be a blast.

Mimi posted info prior to the last Planning Board meeting, which was to tackle Accessory Dwelling Units, or “in-law apartments.”

The Board decided to recommend that the Council go back and address some concerns they had on the ordinance as they were unsatisfied with the proposed drafts. However, you can read the proposal, the letter from the Planning Board, and even basic information about what this all is about on the city’s website. (Nice job guys!)

The Fundraiser on Wednesday is for Senator Panagiotakos; Deval will be there around 6pm and the Senator is inviting Deval supporter and volunteers to come with his complements.

Just to clarify. We WILL host a fundraiser for Deval specifically in this area very soon.

I’m here at Lowell Open Studios (at my studio, sipping some wine). Lowell Open Studios is the annual citywide art event that you can’t afford to miss! Over 100 artists are throwing open their studio doors, and you can find everything from photography to ceramics, painting in all mediums, fiber art, and handmade jewelry.

I’ll only be here until 3pm - I have a wedding to attend in Rhode Island. You will find me on the fourth floor of Western Avenue Studios until then. Open Studios is today (Saturday) and tomorrow, both days from noon to 5pm. Support the local artists! And get your Christmas shopping done really early.

State Senator Steven Panagiotakos is hosting a fundraiser for the Democratic governor’s campaign next Wednesday, September 27th, from 5 to 7 pm, at the Blue Shamrock. Deval is scheduled to appear at around 6pm. I am told that Patrick volunteers are invited to come, complementarily, though of course donations are always welcome.

There is also a Unity Party with the folks at Blue Mass Group next Monday, Sept 25th, at 7:30pm. Tickets $10, another $10 if you want a BBQ dinner. We’re planning on going.

As I mentioned in my previous post, currently there are two local issues which should catch the attention of most activists and concerned Lowell residents. One has to do with the School Committee (see earlier post today) and the other is everyone’s favorite, issues in front of the Planning Board.

Among the many items on the Planning Board’s agenda are the discussion regarding the proposed Zoning changes to Accessory Dwelling Units or as we know it, in-law apartments. The other item of major interest is the proposal to build a Lowe’s Department Store off Industrial Avenue. (more…)

I know we all are still in a celebratory mood and mapping out strategy for the gubernatorial elections but there are a couple of other issues in our city which require our attention. Here is the first one.

As well all know, the Lowell School Committee held its first meeting last night since the arrest of the High School’s Math Department head for rape and incest. The Personnel Sub-Committee had met the night before and unfortunately, the bulk of the discussion and inquiries on this issue occurred there in the School Administration’s conference room.

In addition to the entire School Committee, the Superintendent, the Assistant Superintendent in charge of personnel, the City Solicitor, the new Deputy Superintendent, the Schools’ Business Manager, UTL representatives, some members of the public and of course the media; you get the picture, all the parties were well represented at the sub-committee meeting. The same cannot be said of the full School Committee meeting which was broadcast last night on LTC. (more…)