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- Brush Art Gallery - Come and meet working artists in their natural habitats!
- Cultural Organization of Lowell (COOL) - Great local calendar of events.
- Lowell Opera Company - Community opera.
- Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra - Local community orchestra.
- Lowell Poetry Network
- Lowell Rocks - List of live music events
- Merrimack Repertory Theatre - A local theatre "presenting an exciting mix of contemporary and new plays in historic downtown Lowell."
- OUtlET - Paper and online 'zine making a splash locally with events in art, poetry, music, and everything in between!
- Revolving Museum Contemporary, local, public art space with a plethora of children's programs and art by and for the community.
- The Fine Print - Socially aware, themed, arts and issues periodic publication available throughout Lowell.
- The Image Theater - Theatre company which puts on all original works by local playwrights.
- Whistler House Museum - A great collection of contemporaries of Whistler at his historic birthplace.
November 6th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
the only consolation is that in the current down real estate market, there are only so many new condos that the cox developers can build. maybe a few trees will survive the next two years
November 6th, 2007 at 11:17 pm
Lynch has been a demonstrable success; there’s just so far the council could go without people getting up in arms.
Besides, he didn’t come to Lowell expecting to be treated with kid gloves forever.
Honeymoon’s over, Mr. Manager.
November 7th, 2007 at 1:33 am
I spent 4 hours at the polls today and learned quite a bit talking to my fellow sign holders, and I’m encouraged that people care enough about this stuff to run for office and work for their candidates.
Mehmed Ali fell 218 votes short of getting on the city council. Although a victory would have been better, to me this campaign has been a huge success.
Kazanjian spent $60,000 and only beat Ali by 673 votes.
ok, so overall results aren’t too good, so what else is new
Thanks LeftinLowell, I’ve spent many hours on this site over the past few days. Maybe now I’ll become a more regular reader. I look forward to reading what you all have to say about the election results.
November 7th, 2007 at 8:11 am
Im really upset that Mendonca didn’t pull this one off. He was my favorite candidate.
And good luck to Curtis Lemay, Mehmed Ali, Lous Stylos, and Kristin Ross-Sitcawich. You all got my vote.
3 lousy results in a row.
Donoghue lost the primary to Tspecial Interest Tsongas.
Ogonowski lost the election to a multi millionaire not from the district
And now we have a 5-4 pro John Cox council.
If things get any worse Id say Hillary just might pull it off next year
November 7th, 2007 at 8:30 am
Does this mean that the people really did support John Cox? Shocking.
November 7th, 2007 at 9:37 am
Time to move to a city with intelligent voters
November 7th, 2007 at 10:01 am
I don’t think this election says that the voters support John Cox. Rita and Bud would have won with or without John as did all the incumbents. All of the incumbents won except for Joe who really wasn’t an incumbent. Joe did not run a good campaign and he did not use his short time on the Council to his advantage. He is a nice guy but too quiet and cerebral. It’s not an insult to him, I like him a lot. But it doesn’t get you votes. That was to his detriment. He didn’t stand out from the crowd and give people a reason to vote for him. Lenzi has a very large family and is a likeable guy on his own. Kazanjian raised more money than anyone and spent it. He has a lot of City ties. He was at every event since the spring. I didn’t vote for him and I’m not happy he won, but he earned it on the merits of the campaign he waged. The more telling data will come when we can compare what the campaigns spent per vote. That is where the “meat” of the meaning is. The fact that Bob McMahon lost was the most telling fact of this campaign. If he had won it would have signaled that Cox was a factor. He was the bellwether.
November 7th, 2007 at 10:04 am
Be Careful Bernie, the rogues are in power
5-4 cox council, what a shame, keep your chin up
jo-ann keegan, you ran a good campaign
November 7th, 2007 at 10:09 am
Mike:
You have waited 1 1/2 years to make this comment. If ED had run, she would have won; so what would have said then?
It will take days if not weeks to figure out what all this means.
November 7th, 2007 at 10:20 am
Next year will be very big for Lowell, as the JAM/Hamilton Canal development must be successful to start the turn-around in city finances. There will be no room for pettiness if this is to work out favorably for the citizens of Lowell.
November 7th, 2007 at 10:46 am
Does this mean that the people really did support John Cox? Shocking.
In an election with 20% turnout? No.
It means that the people who support John Cox are politically active.
See any of those “I support Cox” stickers around lately? On any of the yard signs? On his candidates’ supporters at the polling places?
I didn’t.
November 7th, 2007 at 11:26 am
Most people’s yard signs I seen were a mix of both pro-Cox and pro-Lynch candidates. I don’t think voters voted yesterday with Cox in mind at all. I think they simply voted for who they felt deserved to win and the candidates that they liked the best.
November 7th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
In my years in the city this election is not all that shocking to me. Certainly I am disappointed.
Sarah is very good with her analysis, the only part that I would disagree with is the McMahon loss. Voters in Lowell remember things they want to remember and I think McMahon’s loss had more to do with his son, the fired police officer, than a breakdown in the Cox political machine.
As is said, in my years of watching these things I have come to the conclusion that
1. The largest voting block is the elderly. They develop ties with a candidate and it would take nothing short of a murder conviction to shake those ties. Pander to that group and you have a real shot.
2. Even voters who want the best for the city are still apt to throw a vote the way of a neighbor or childhood friend even if that person does not represent the direction they want the city to go in.
So, pander to the elderly, come from a big family and have lots of childhood friends and you too can be elected in the City of Lowell.
As for the low turnout. I put the blame for that on the current city council and the Lowell Sun.
The current council decided not to hold a primary election which would have increased voter interest. They could have done it a no additional cost by holding it to coincide with the 5th District special election.
The Sun will claim to have provided us with hundreds of thousands of words about the city council election, but I have read those words and the articles were primarily made up of lists, who raised the most money, one line quotes from ‘debates’…there was no analysis of candidates positions, no questioning of their goals for specifics. The Sun should be ashamed to call itself a “news”paper.
So, no interest, no coverage equals low voter turnout and well known names getting elected.
That cynical anaylsis aside, I hope I am wrong about what is in store for us with the make up of the new city council. I was right with my prediction on who would be on the council even though I was hoping I would be wrong, let’s hope I’m wrong this time.
But I don’t think so.
November 7th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
you can be sure that somewhere last night
jim campanini and john cox were smiling
be careful bernie
November 7th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
First thanks to LiL for the coverage and forums to discuss the city council election. It allowed me to be more aware and informed about the race than at any other time.
I agree with both of ER’s two statements. The older population is a force. Personal connections mean more than philosophical agreement in local politics.
You’ll trade the guy you agree with philosophically for the guy who you can call on the phone anytime. If there was a message to take from the so-called “Cox Crowd” that was it. The people still hold sway over the numbers, and politics is all local.
I think it is fairly difficult to unseat most imcumbents, unless there is a major mistake somewhere along the way. Since all councilors casting the votes that changed managers running for re-election were re-elected, that must mean something too.
As for the results, I’d like to see people think of the two new councilors as people who have deep community ties, run successful area businesses and have a history of being involved in government and community. Though more than a few people I voted for didn’t make it I think its worth giving this group a chance to make their own mark.
The biggest item I haven’t seen noted is how white and male the council now is. In this city it blows my mind that a council with this lack of race and gender (and probably religious) diversity was elected. So much for immigrant groups assimilating.
November 7th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
ER:
In your discussion of the Sun’s coverage, you forgot the agenda-driven sarcasm that passes as political commentary.
November 7th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
One of my favorite things about living in Lowell is the interesting, diverse mix of people who live here.
election observation… we elected eight white men and one white woman. I suggest we try harder next time to engage more people.
November 7th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
I was really surprised and disappointed when I saw that conway topped the ticket for School Committee. I firmly believe he did not run for the betterment of the schools. Teamed with regina and jim they will tear down all the progress that was made in the schools. If bud becomes Mayor my children’s education in the Lowell Public School system is DOOMED! I really don’t know what the powers-that-be motive was to put conway there. Was there favors to be owed? Was this really all about Samaras? Bill is a nice enough guy but give him a job that he’s really good at like bringing in the money for the high school. Let someone else follow through on the day to day stuff. Is it because ’someone’ doesn’t like the Superintendent? We all know Regina doesn’t. I hope it turns out to be alright for the Lowell Public School Children……I don’t know.
November 7th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
I suggest more that minorities in the city a)get out and vote in more numbers and b)produce more candidates, moreover candidates that people want to elect. I’m not voting for a Muslim just to be pc and diversify the talent pool. Nice thought but people don’t vote that way. I think that minorities need to be more invlolved in all politics local to federal. I can’t think of a too many candidates I didn’t either get something in the mail from or hear on WCAP. You can lead a horse to water….
November 7th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
i dont think campy and cox have anything to smile about I agree that macamhon was the bellweather and he got trounced..GOODEBYE BOB and Happy Birthday . However the Cox clan were targeting Martin Broderick and Elliot and they all did fine.
Cox group didnt defeat anyone, Joe Mendonca just ran a lousy weak campaign. Lenzi won on his big family ties and hes not a bad guy. The Kman won with a $ 70,000 war chest and worked veyr hard running a good campaign leavign no stones unturned.. in fact, he distances himself the most from the cox gangsters.
My only regret is that Jo Ann Keegans campaign just didnt catch fire. Shes a great candidate and worked hard, the message just didnt resonate.. I hope she will look at it again 2 years..
Best of luck Bernie…but your epxerience and professionalsim will carry you through..
November 7th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
…as I was saying, you two had the opportunity to use your endorsements to boost the fortunes of a progressive candidate who agrees with you on most issues and you blew it. You’ve got two years, get your act together.
November 7th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
So i was a bit dissapointed in the results but i guess we wait and see…Rita and Bud top it with Armand not far behind, tells me the average Joe doesnt know whats really going on..not a whole lot of REAL educated brains there but they get the elderly, they do this full time. Kazanjian worked hard and you can’t deny that and Lenzi has the name. I really thought Broderick would have come in much higher, he has the guts and ideas to really move the city…Martins numbers move up because he is mayor. The voter turn out and the numbers show that most people dont follow and could care less…Darius in prison gets over 600 votes! Thats a shame!
November 7th, 2007 at 4:32 pm
as far as the people really support Cox. I dont think so, I think most people dont know who the hell they are voting for or why or what the candidate stands for. I often think Lowell politics is a joke and I dont know why these people bother to use their time running for office when most of the residents cant even bother to get off their fanny and vote! I would bet my life if everyone voted and every voter actually followed the city council meetings Rita, Bud and Armand would be lucky to make a tie for 9th place!
November 7th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Enjoyed the posts above and agree with many. Here is my personal plan for responding to this election:
1. Find like-minded individuals now and meet regularly to start on a strategy for more progress next time. Perhaps a set schedule of get togethers in the various neighborhoods. (Cafe Aiello at 30 Gorham would be a great starting point for coffee & calculating . . . Perhaps on a Sunday afternoon.) I attend JAMBRA and DNA meetings, so please, if any of you here would like to start now on the next CC election, stop and share contact info. I’m 5′6″, blue eyes, short hair and often with my 6’5” bearded husband. Let’s begin to be more Chinese than American — take the long long view and start planning now for November 2009.
2. The elderly do vote. Demographic change can work for us, too, however so let’s engage folks now–young/middle/old—to make voting second nature “early”. Often older folks vote because it provides a sense of community and an investment they can make in their community. Let’s remember that model: community. Voting can be a shared value that each of us reinforces with our friends and colleagues.
3. Lastly, citizens should be a BIG presence at City Council and sub-committee meetings. I am not thrilled about this City Council, I will admit that I am kind of stunned at the qualifications of many on or moving onto the Council. It shocks me that the 4th or 5th largest city in Massachusetts is governed by individuals who, perhaps with big hearts and other terrific personal attributes . . . don’t seem the least bit qualified. I believe citizen involvement with the CC can provide oversight and support, both, to the Councilors. The more citizens who show up, the more unfamiliar faces who contribute—just by being there—the better for keeping those who govern honest. Mimi does God’s work reporting to us. Let’s occasionally invest our time in being angels to that effort.
The City Council matters in a city with the government structure of Lowell.
November 7th, 2007 at 6:07 pm
did anyone listen to WCAP this morning? some guy called up and said he voted TWICE! he blamed precinct people for not knowing anything. he said he voted the second time using his brother’s name who was unable to vote because he was sick. makes me wonder how many others got away with this illegal act!!!
November 7th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
Lowell has the old-fashioned “citizen legislature”, generally a reflection of the general populace (although minority groups are not well represented). You get what we are.
But that doesn’t say we shouldn’t do well, setting beneficial policies and making good decisions when the time comes. An involved citizenry can help these “average persons” become better councilors. I think jdayne has some good suggestions as to how to approach that, expecially in comment 3 of her post.
November 7th, 2007 at 7:00 pm
How about district representation?? Make politics local by bringing it back into the neighborhoods. Make those in underrepresented neighborhoods feel like they can be a part of the process. This may bring voters back in record numbers.
November 7th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
Love the idea PC, maybe retain 1 or two at large seats. Problem is,… how to get incumbents behind it.
November 7th, 2007 at 7:44 pm
Lynne, Congrats on your victory! You threw Ali under the bus because of a what if and a maybe now you have your 5/4 GOB council. For those who are saying it doesn’t matter let me ask you this. You are in front of the council on a matter critical to you. What team would you want fighting for your cause, Mercier, Mercier, Caulfield and Kazanjian or Martin, Elliot, Broderick and Millanazzo? I don’t want to know who has the degrees or better job I want to know who has the biggest b#**s and is going to get the job done.
November 7th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
Just in case any of you missed the comments in the Sun’s “live” blog on last night election; here is the link:
http://www.thesunblog.com/community/archives/2007/11/live_city_elect.html#comments
There were many interesting comments, some quite critical of the winners. And this is part of the last comment posted this morning by “Vote or Die.”
“What a great night for the city of Lowell. The people took their city back from the elitists. Wonder how our friends at Left in Lowell are feeling this morning. Poor, misguided people actually thought they had some clout because a handful of their like-minded buddies keep stroking their ego. What a beating!”
I am quite realistic about what this blog is about and what my role is. It is a bulletin board for us to discuss issues. And believe me, it does very little to enhance my ego. And I agree, we, as a cyber community, do not have the kind of clout to bring about major changes, just small, incremental ones that are at times difficult to measure. That is why I find PC’s and Lowellian’s comments way off base. Give me a break!
And PC’s, I guess sending smooches my way has ended, right?
November 7th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
First, I’ll mention a couple facts.
1) Ali would have displaced another fairly progressive, PRO-contract guy if he got #9. So we’d be in the same boat regarding the makeup of the Council regardless. Except, out a guy who supports the contract for the CM.
2) We have been clear from the start what drove us on this blog, why we endorsed who we did, so why is it surprising?
Now for some observations:
1) Why are WE to blame for Ali losing votes? (Heh, I thought we had no clout.) He’s the one who shocked people when he said “no” to supporting the CM contract. He’s the one who took a nuanced position on the contract that satisfied no one. And, Ali had a pretty damn good showing for his first time out, so why are people disappointed?
2) Why is it my job to pander to your favorite candidate? I think if we all just thought a moment before we posted, we might see how ridiculous it is to tell someone else what to think and if they don’t think like us, to whine about it. Yeesh
Now I know how Markos of dKos feels…this happens to him all the time. I am not your mother, nor am I your conscience. As such, I take no responsibility for being your gatekeeper. (If you want, go start your own site - I have invited any number of people to do so. It’s not hard.)
I have some thoughts on this outcome which I hope I have time to post tomorrow. There is a whole lot that the Cox crowd shouldn’t be celebrating; one was in making the claim in the campaign that they support Lynch. Because now they have to follow through on that campaign promise. I think they will find governing much different from campaigning.
November 7th, 2007 at 9:38 pm
Let’s look forward and use our energy to be ready for the next election.
November 7th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
My prediction for those that want it:
Bernie Lynch ends up at UML as an administrator of some sort, most probably in charge of the epxansion. Bernie and Marty are friends from college. This gives Bernie an out and sets the door for a Cox return.
November 7th, 2007 at 11:31 pm
Mimi:
I haven’t been waiting to say that. I’ve been confident that the people of Lowell were very satisfied as a whole with the direction of the city during Cox’s tenure. I didn’t need an election to tell me that. The powerplay to push out Cox was all about personalities, and CC’s who didn’t like Cox because he didn’t kowtow to them. And whether they are right or wrong to use that as a reason is debatable, but that’s what it was about. It was never about the public being upset with the city’s direction or some groundswell of support to get him out. It was Councilors not representing the voters, but rather deciding on their own that they don’t like the guy.
If I take some amount of pleasure in this election it isn’t because I *really* think much of these results in relation to Cox. It’s that I think you guys do think this is a “Cox” victory, and I think with all of the (in my opinion) unfair and plain incorrect swipes you’ve all taken at Cox over the years - basically trying to portray him as a crooked politician, well, it’s rather enjoyable to watch you guys scramble thinking this means something. My opinion is Kazanjian did two things right - has a name everyone in Lowell knows and spent a boatload of money. Had zero to do with Cox. But I love watching you guys post thinking it did
November 8th, 2007 at 10:03 am
As I stated earlier Kazanjian won because he raised $70,000 and ran a very well oiled campaign. He had his own footsoldiers, not John Cox’s. Lenzi won because he has a big family that has an established network in place and he is a likable guy. His uncle was the State Senator and his cousin is on the School Committee. Their winning had nothing to do with Cox. He may have had a small hand in it but not the large hand he thinks he had. The goal for the Cox crowd was two fold. Get their candidates to win AND unseat at least one incumbent that pushed John out. One half of the task was somewhat accomplished but Cox wasn’t the reason why. In my opinion, John lost. He didn’t unseat even one of the Councilors that pushed him to leave. Without unseating at least one of them he looks weak. The City is still divided right down the middle and he is the cause of it. If you look at the numbers precinct by precinct his only impact was in Centerville. Which is to be expected since he’s from there and represented the area. He would have needed to have more widespreadh influence than just Centerville to make a difference. That is where the “5″ that did not support him were most impacted. Even with that, he couldn’t pull McMahon into contention and higher than 11th place in Centerville. If you analyze the numbers all of the incumbents lost some amount of support city wide except Mendonca. Including Bud & Rita. If Cox was the biggest factor Bud/Rita/Armand would not have lost support. The biggest factor in this race was the money raised by challengers and second family connections.
November 8th, 2007 at 10:26 am
“The powerplay to push out Cox was all about personalities”
Yeah… Cox’s personality. He was an employee who didn’t think of himself as one. How many times do you get to ignore your boss’s wishes for a report on items you are responsible for before it comes back to hit you in the ass. Thats the real world.
“Had zero to do with Cox.” If this is what you think, I’m guessing you asked the question above in order to see if others thought the opposite, for whatever motivation. If you read these comments and posts, you’ll see that for the most part they agree with you. I find it interesting, however, that in the face of agreement you still want to pick a bone.
November 8th, 2007 at 10:39 am
Now, it is time for all of us to look forward.
Perhaps, Waittil will be able to compile a list of campaign promises made by our elected officials, so that we may grade them quarterly?
November 8th, 2007 at 11:27 am
I want to chime in with Michelle on my disapointment with the School Committee race. I too see this as an enormous step backwards and fear the direction the school department will go in with this School Committee. A lot of progressive movement has been made under the direction of KBB and to hinge the success of the educational system on the whole, on the career of one personality (samaras) is truly, truly unfortunate for the children of this City.
I’ve mentioned this before but the SC and CC race’s had a lot in common and I’m truly concerned that as much as I want to look forward there’s been a big step backwards.
November 8th, 2007 at 11:47 am
The powerplay to push out Cox was all about personalities, and CC’s who didn’t like Cox because he didn’t kowtow to them.
The problem with this theory is that for most of Cox’s tenure, it was just Dick Howe who went after him, and the rest of council was behind him.
The break came at a very obvious point - after the shennanigans surrounding the Stoklosa school. That’s not about personal animus, it’s about managing a problem employee. The Department of Revenue letters/budget shortfall/creative accounting tricks scandal just cemented that perception among people who pay attention to government.
But your other points - most Lowellians support the “general direction” the city went in under Cox, and most voters did not see this as a Cox vs. Lynch showdown the way we Lefties in Lowell did - are almost certainly true.
November 8th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
The problem with the promises, KRS, was that there were really no specifics from the newcomers, other than to “do what is best for Lowell”. Trying to rate that is somewhat subjective, as what is best is in the eye of the beholder.
However, I did hear Alan Kazangian on the radio yesterday and he had some specifics, such as erasing the Tsongas Arena deficit, and using his expertise to keep the new construction in the JAM/Hamilton Canal area on track. Although that may be difficult from the councilor’s seat, they are certainly worthwhile goals. He also made a point that the JAM garage was not well thought out from a business perspective prior to embarking on that project, but recognized we must deal with it now that it is a fact of life. He could turn out to be a good councilor, although the potential for conflict of interest will always be an issue.
For those that responded to the LiL questionnaire, there should be some specifics to be drawn from those responses. I will put together a list in the next month for comments on what everyone thinks are the promises made, and hopefully keep track of those over the next 2 years. We still have the prior list to track for the next 3 months to see how the current council met its goals.
November 8th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
I’d like to chime in regarding Hazel’s comment(#38). I am also concerned about the future direction of the schools and our ability to continue the progress we’ve seen in curriculum and instruction under KBB’s leadership–even her harshest critics cannot fault her there. The decisive factor now is who becomes mayor and serves as chair to the school committee. This very important, first vote will show the true colors of our newly elected councilors.
November 8th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
Everyone should save the Sun Election Section because of the promises made. For example, “put more police on the streets”, “fund the schools”, “maintain public safety so there’s no layoffs”, “enhance public safely”, “increasing our commercial base”, “provide jobs”, “take care of our seniors” and at the same time all this without raising taxes!
November 8th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
Jackie,
I’d suggest the school committee do an anonymous survey among the teachers of Lowell. I do not think you have the “pulse” of things the way that you think you do. Teachers are too afraid to voice their opinions for fear of retalliation(i.e. bad evaluations).Every year we see new “iniatives” that last about a year, and then it changes. The morale is terrible, and we have a computerized report card system that cannot be supported system-wide due to old computers and inadequate technology. I thought the concept of the computerized system was to make things easier, not harder? Ask around, there are alot of problems, out there!
November 8th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
confused: have you followed the actual events surrounding the school committee? They are already doing a comprehensive survey of teachers.
RE: teacher morale - I suspect there is some issue taken with the curriculum changes that have been implemented…after all, standardizing the teaching material across the city means taking some of those decisions (for better or worse) out of teacher’s hands. However, I think that will be (and should be) addressed, and also, it’s a fact of life that this stuff happens in the course of the development of a school department, especially under NCLB.
November 8th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
Lynne,
I followed the school committee race very closely this year. I am aware of the talk surrounding the teacher survey, but it has yet to be done. The morale that I am referring to has nothing to do with curriculum or NCLB, but an everyday lack of inferiority that know exists between the administration and teachers. I am sure that examples of this will become apparent in the survey. There are way too many to cite here.
November 8th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Post #25 from methinks is right on the money… It is incredibly easy to vote more than once at any precinct. The poll workers are not required to ask for identification from anyone. Unless you are recognized as a repeater, who would know? So let’s vote early and often.
November 8th, 2007 at 4:19 pm
I’m all for standardized curriculum, but where is it? With the exception of math, there is no standardized curriculum in the middle schools. The Elementary schools have adopted a new reading program (which seems great), but the ball got dropped when it came to 5-8. I also love the idea of the new reading and math intervention programs, but again, every school does it differently.
November 8th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
“everyday lack of inferiority”
Now I’m confused, what exactly does that mean?
November 8th, 2007 at 6:45 pm
In response to Confused, I didn’t say everything was perfect, but that we are making progress–substantial, measurable progress in areas such as communication with parents, consistent standards-based curriculum, meeting the needs/challenging more children, and improved test scores. As a teacher myself (12 years in higher ed), I can imagine the frustration you feel with these initiatives coming on all fronts for years, but the bulk of the reform is over now. We have had limited funds to upgrade technology, and I will look into it regarding the new automated system for report cards. (They are supposed to be easier for teachers and more informative for parents in terms of standards and expectations.) All middle schools are using the same reading-intervention program, and all ELA curriculum is supposed to follow consistent standards(all sixth graders learn about similes etc). The middle schools do handle the interventions differently because each school has different staff and scheduling constraints. That said, I am concerned about morale because teachers are on the front line and need to feel supported and valued. No initiative will succeed without them. We are going to conduct a comprehensive survey, and the results will be taken seriously. Thanks for your input.
November 8th, 2007 at 8:46 pm
Mimi and Lynne: I wanted to buy you coffee Tuesday at the VFW, however you were not there when I got there with my sign. So I drank them myself.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
I am responding to Michelle #18, regarding her throughts that the Lowell Schools are DOOMED! I would strongly and respectfully disagree w/you. I really feel the best is yet to come.
Moreover, I am more then a little annoyed that you labeled me as a destroyer of our schools. If you checked my voteing record, motions that I made and the actual accomplisments I achieved during my first term, you would likely have a much different view. I would ask you to take a look at all sides and points of view. That’s what I always try to do. Sometimes you may actually change your initial opinion and move in a different direction, which may achieve a better outcome!
November 8th, 2007 at 10:31 pm
Jim Leary - maybe you could elaborate on your voting record, motions and accomplishments? As a parent who has entrusted my children to the public schools, I find your lack of support for the superintendent and alignment with the ‘powers that be’ very discouraging. I voted for you in ‘05 and I’m sorry I did.
November 9th, 2007 at 10:13 am
Quite frankly, you have no idea where I stand on the issues. I have supported the superintendent on about 95% of her requests. I also voted yes for her vote of confidence when the bullet issue arose. I do not have any regrets regaring that vote. Furthermore, I took the lead trying to protect her during that time (ask her yourself). If you call questioning the superintendent at meetings, not always agreeing w/her and having some different ideas pertaining to the budget, management and agenda setting not supporting her, then I guess I will never get your vote back. I will not change my core values to please you.
Lastly, I am glad you at least voted. Thank you.
Below I listed some of the stuff, but not all, which I created and had the motions on last year. Incidentlly, I also worked very hard to ensure my motions were inacted by the administration.
1. Added 25 additional student spaces to the Alternative high school.
2. Added a guidance counselor to the Alternative High School
3. Created four Internship assistant house master positions at the HS.
4. Forced the administration to prove that each position provided within the budget added value to the students needs.
November 9th, 2007 at 10:24 am
PC: Are you the one that left the mess on the sidewalk at the VFW? I was there with my sign in the morning but I was moved to another location for the evening shift. If I had known you were going to be there, I would have stayed from the time the polls opened to until they closed. Coffee from P.C., what else do I want in life?
November 9th, 2007 at 11:40 am
Mimi: How about a drive along the ocean in a Jag with PC.
November 9th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
Make sure you see him take a sip first, Mimi.
November 9th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
Jim Leary you say you voted yes for a vote of confidence for the Superintendent. So can I count on you to support her when/if she doesn’t give Bill Samaras 1 more year?
November 9th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
Its clear that Mr. Samaras deserves one more year if he so desires. The people have spoken and the two biggest supporters of his cause finished 1-2. The superintendent has been supported very well by the committee in years past to very mixed results. But the effort to force out Samaras is obviously going too far. I’m glad that the people have Lowell have voted the way they have.
November 9th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Mr Lynne,
Typo-”level of inferiority” is what I meant to say.
Jackie, I agree we have made progress, but we have a long way to go, and the teacher’s do not feel supported or appreciated. I think the survey will show that. It would be great to see a grade level ELA curriculum at the Middle School level (that’s being taught using the same texts and resources in ELA), but that is not the case. (By this I mean like what was done in math.) This year, we have been instructed by central admin. to create a curriculum map, but every school seems to be doing it differently. Maybe we could work on curriculum issues at the next Superintendent’s meeting, instead of playing ring toss?
November 9th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
Awww c’mon joe. Mimi is the only one here that understands me. Must be because of that large grain of salt she keeps next to the computer.
November 9th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
Is post #58 Jim Leary?
November 9th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
Michelle:
No, comment #58 is not from School Committeeman Jim Leary. When he comments he clearly uses his full name. Thanks.
And James:
I would not characterize a discussion that begun three years ago on when someone is retiring being “forced out.” I will write a separate post on this issue at a later date so that it can have a full, fair and open discussion.
November 9th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
Voters -> School Committee Members -> Superintendant -> Samarras.
That seems to be an awful lot of steps in between the ballot box and an administrator’s personnel decision. This wasn’t a referendum on one headmaster.
BTW, I haven’t the foggiest idea who Samarras is. I voted for Jackie Doherty, because she has a lefty blog, and left the rest of the School Committee ballot blank. Just to give you a sense of how clearly “the people have spoken” about Mrs. Samarras via their School Committee votes.
November 10th, 2007 at 10:30 am
James, people who voted for Regina are those who enjoy listening to her silly radio show on WCAP. Conway was supported by Panagiatakos and his machine. Neither of these groups represent parents of the children in the Lowell Public Schools.
Also, in response to comments 27 & 28. According to state law, IF you have district representation you must also have an elected mayor. My understanding is that a vote on district representation was attempted in the early 1990’s here in Lowell, but was defeated because voters did not want an elected mayor - they prefer a professional city manager.
Our form of voting - all At-Large, Winner take all, was actually prohibited at the federal level in 1967 because it discriminates against minority candidates. Last Tuesday Springfield voted to change their voting system (which was like ours) and so now Lowell is the only city left in the state of Massachusetts with an all At-Large, Winner take all system.
November 10th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
Vistoria’s comment prompted me to look further. The following language posted on Wikipedia is a bit confusing, as it implies that these forms of government are obsolete, except as grandfathered, but it doesn’t list any potential new forms for Massachusetts.
“State law defines six possible options for city governments:
Plan A - “Strong mayor” - Mayor and a city council, the councillors being elected at large. Party primaries prohibited.
Plan B - “Weak mayor” - Mayor and city council, the councillors being elected partly at large and partly from districts or wards of the city. Party primaries prohibited.
Plan C - “Commission” - Mayor and commissioners. Party primaries prohibited.
Plan D - “Council-manager”- City council of seven or nine (one of whom is the mayor), and a city manager. Party primaries prohibited.
Plan E - “Council-manager”- City council of seven or nine (one of whom is the mayor), a city manager; members of the counil and the school committee elected at large by proportional representation. Party primaries prohibited.
Plan F - “Partisan mayor-council” - Mayor and city council, the councillors being elected partly at large and partly from wards of the city, with political party primaries.
After passage of the Home Rule Procedures Act of 1967, it is no longer possible for a municipality to adopt one of these plans. However, 14 cities still have Plan A, B, or E governments because they have not changed their form of government since then. Plans C, D, and F are no longer used.”