Left In Lowell

With all of the talk on library safety, Jackie’s post on the recent City Manager’s Gang Advisory Board Taskforce Community Summit, which took place last Thursday night at the Boys and Girls Club on Middlesex Street, brings the discussion back to what are the causes of youth violence and what needs to be done to control it. In her comments, Jackie (School Committeewoman Doherty serves on the Task Force) refers to City Manager Bernie Lynch has an op-ed piece in today’s Sun on the same issue. She writes:

As a member of the advisory board, I concur with Lynch that although discussions have centered on police presence, court convictions, use of inspectional services to close gang houses, and weapons removal—all key factors in gang suppression—the board has also increased strategic planning and efforts around preventing youngsters from gang involvement in the first place. The prevention piece requires more, earlier, and better youth service programs and interventions, increased educational and job opportunities, expanded partnerships between all stakeholders, and buy-in from the community—all factors focusing on youth development.

In spite of the shooting last week and the well publicized (some may say overpublicized) theft at the library, the crime rate in Lowell is down.

It is obvious that prevention is the key. In the Sun article covering the meeting, CM Lynch challenged the local business community to provide summer job opportunities to youngsters. That’s a good start. We should encourage the non-profit, community organizations, such as the YMCA, YWCA, UTEC, Boys and Girls Club, Girl’s Inc. and ONE Lowell, to continue their work

And perhaps, in a few weeks when the Public Safety Sub-Committee meets again in a few weeks there will be a few more things on their agenda than the issue of library safety. Kudos to the Sub-Committee Chair, CC Jim Milinazzo who attended the Gang Taskforce meeting. I think he is present at more community meetings than any other City Councilor but gets very little recognition for it.

This week the Lowell City Council will take up a motion by CC Rodney Elliott. It asks that the “Manager develop policy for naming public facilities.” It is about time. Perhaps, this should have been addressed last year when the CC implemented a policy for naming City Squares as memorials to veterans.

At this rate, there is not going to be a building, a field, a road that does not carry the name of a recently retired City employee or elected official. There has to be a standard by which a name is introduced and eventually approved.

It is difficult for an elected official to say no when a name is brought forth. If I were them, I would probably always vote yes. It is not worth the political ill-will.

But with a sound and fair guideline, the politics are taking out of the process.

Today’s Lowell Sun “The Column” had a brief mention that Lowell School Committee member Jim Leary may not run for reelection next year. That piece of information is believable. Jim and his wife have just adopted a baby boy; he is self-employed and his demanding career that requires a lot of traveling.

However, I do not believe the comment by a “some political insiders” who whispered to the Sun that “it is more likely because he [Leary] has lost political allies and isn’t getting his way on the committee.”

My guess is that those “insiders” are the so-called former political “allies.” (As the going goes, with friends like these, who needs enemies?) I have met and spoken to Jim on a number of occasions. He fully understands the fine art of political compromise and believe me he is not afraid of being a lone wolf on any issue.

I hope Jim reconsiders but we fully understand that family comes first. Given the financial burden and time restraints on elected officials, anyone who is not retired, self-employed in the City, independently wealthy or has a partner who is supportive will not be able to serve. This is not good.

A week ago, the Cameroon community of Lowell organized a march to bring attention to the plight of that West African country. Here is the link to the Sun article and pics.

The demonstration was aimed at Cameroon President Paul Biya who is attempting to change their Constitution so that he may rule for life. This has caused civil strife in Cameroon resulting in riots, imprisonments and death.

This week, the Lowell City Council will have an opportunity to show their support for the Cameroon-Americans. CC Rita Mercier has a motion on this week’s agenda requesting that the CC pass a resolution to that effect.

There are some who do not think it is the purview of the City Council to get involved in national or international issues. I am not one of those. As a member of an ethnic group, which has received support and encouragement from the Lowell City Council for over 20 years, I understand the significance of a simple resolution.

So, I hope Tuesday night when this notion is brought up, not only will it receive unanimous support but I hope those watching are exposed to