A Three-Tier Cake
Saturday, when I opened up the Lowell Sun’s web site, and read Kendall Wallace’s column “Signs Point to Upbeat Council Race,” I shared his optimism that the City is moving forward, in the right direction.
Mr. Wallace successfully outlines the recent projects, attitudes and visions which are putting Lowell on the right track. And I agree with him when he writes: “there is a growing field of candidates for the council, but it’s starting to look like the tone of the campaign will be very different than the one most political followers expected just a few months ago.”
But then Mr. Wallace attempts to handicap (a contest in which contestants are given advantages or compensations to equalize the chances of winning) the City Council race. Furthermore, he fails to let us know what criteria he used to assign selected challengers to the first and second tiers, and all of the rest to the third; is knowing personally a reason to be placed in the first or second tier? And more importantly, he did not elaborate on these “top” candidates’ opinions on the City’s direction as they pertain to his views as presented in that column.
We all know that incumbents have a distinct advantage but why give those challengers who are “politically connected” additional assistance? I have great admiration for anyone who runs for office; even those with whom I vehemently disagree. It takes a lot of courage, time, effort and money. We should encourage those 20 or so people who pulled nomination papers to turn them in and to run.
The entire City would benefit if a cross-section of the population got involved in the process, not just the same political circles that attempt to control and influence City government.
And one more thing Mr. Wallace, not everyone involved at LeftinLowell is young. 
July 16th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
I assume the link needs fixing.
July 16th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Fixed it. Thanks Mr. Lynne.
July 16th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
I wish the previous adminstration ran the city in a fishbowl.
July 16th, 2007 at 7:45 pm
How has this administration been any different? Concrete examples (other than CBA, which has already been discussed to death)?
I’d imagine if John Cox hired his old assistants from his last job, as Lynch just did with those created positions, it would be called patronage, GOB, etc. When Lynch does, it’s called “building his own team”? Not saying one is right and one is wrong, just looking for some consistency on how things are viewed here.
July 16th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
As proof that everyone involved in LeftinLowell is not young, I’ve been receiving Social Security for ten years and enjoy being a daily blogger. Also I do have a “life” unlike what Regina seems to think about bloggers.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:56 pm
Is Regina still spewing venom over the airwaves? Empty barrels make the most noise. (Sister Josephine, 1973).
July 16th, 2007 at 10:14 pm
Seems to me Kendall is underestimating Mehmed Ali just a bit. Not even a mention by name. If the only qualification was packing a hall, which got McMahon in there, I think Ali merits a mention.
July 17th, 2007 at 8:29 am
What we didn’t know about our finances seems like a good example.
July 17th, 2007 at 8:39 am
Good lord, just the difference between Lynch and Cox in how the budget was presented is enough for me.
But then again, that’s the difference between hiring someone with actual municipal management training and skills, and hiring someone merely with political connections.
July 17th, 2007 at 10:55 pm
I’m pretty sure the budget was always presented to the public, and available online during the Cox years too. Nothing different in terms of “fishbowl”.
As for finding secret budget nasties, well….that seems to happen everytime someone new takes an office. It’s a fine strategy to come in and declare you are saving the organization because the last guy was a bum. It’s old hat, same thing happened with Mitt-Deval.
July 18th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
Mike:
I have kept the PDF file for the FY 2007 budget presented by the previous administration. If you want it I will e-mail it to you so you can decide for yourself how much information was shared.
The current budget/business plan is available on the City’s web site. You can then compare the two.
By the way, the CC had to make a motion to have the FY 2007 Budget posted on the web site. Yours and my favorite Congressional candidate made the request.