Left In Lowell

Today, the State’s Board of Education announced that it had selected 8 semifinalists on from a pool of 16 who applied to become the state’s next Commissioner of Education.

As we all know, Lowell School Superintendent Karla Brooks Baehr was one of those 16 applicants; it is my strong belief that she made the cut and probably will be a finalist.

According to the DOE press release, “the Board will meet again in executive session on December 13 and the afternoon of December 18 to interview semifinalists, and select finalists. The names of the finalists will be made public once they are contacted.”

So in about 2 weeks we should know who are the finalists for that position. The interview for the finalists will be held on January 7th during a public meeting and the eventual new Commissioner (hopefully Dr. Baehr) will be named at the end of January. (more…)

A few weeks ago the City Council took up a motion made by CC Jim Millinazzo requesting “the City Manager report on the proposed UMass Lowell Student Housing on Perkins Street”. The motion passed unanimously and the CC asked the CM to present a report and recommendations to the City Council/University Partnership Sub/Committee. CM Bernie Lynch told the CC that he had already began to discuss this issue with Chancellor Marty Meehan.

Unfortunately, it was during Thanksgiving week and I did not have a chance to post on the issue. I would have let it go if not for a follow up story in yesterday’s Sun by Chris Gamire, “Meehan: Dorms Would Benefit Area.” I say follow up because Gamire had reported on the CC meeting were this motion was fully discussed. The article appeared in the 11/21 edition of the Sun, “UML dorm plan irks residents.”

In case you missed it, the new Chancellor has ambitious plans to expand the University and raise its standing in the academic community. This mandate as well as building strong ties and partnership with the Greater Lowell communities, I believe are the primary reasons he was hired. Now that Chancellor Meehan is planning this expansion, we have come to the realization that we may not like the plans. (more…)

Second day with a nasty sore throat. I’m trying to avoid going to the Dr’s because I just did, for a sinus infection. Ah, winter.

Anyway, have at it…I’m going to go get some tea.

[Bumped as a reminder –Lynne]

It’s become that time! Trinity Financial is hosting their first in a series of public “vision sessions” for the Hamilton Canal project. This will be the public’s opportunity to inject its voice into the development process for that district, so if you are so inclined to have a point of view regarding the future of this section of Lowell and its mixed use, here’s your chance.

The first meeting will take place Wednesday, December 5, 2007, 5:45 PM to 9 PM, and will be a Listening Session. It will take place at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium, 50 East Merrimack Street, 3rd floor, Veterans’ Wing. There is free parking in the Davidson Street parking lot, and everyone is welcome. They are asking that people RSVP at 617-720-8400 or reception@trinityfinancial.com.

They have four more dates already scheduled as well:

Wednesday, December 12, 2007, Working Group Meetings, 6 PM to
Thursday, December 13, 2007, Working Group Meetings, 6 PM to 9
Saturday, January 5, 2008, Working Session, 10 AM to 3 PM
Saturday, March 15, 2008, Working Session, 10 AM to 3 PM

A PDF with all this information can be found here.cheap windows vista ultimate now