Left In Lowell

From the beginning of this term, CC Alan Kazanjian asserted himself. I do not know if he intended to become leader of a coalition but that is where he finds himself today. As we review the motions, actions and public comments of the six, we see that the freshman Councilor was able to shape the image, message and agenda with a group of 4-5 Councilors deferring to him or supporting him on all matters of significance.

The discussion that took placeTuesday night between him and the City Manager is a perfect example. He questioned the City Manager on two positions in the Department of Planning and Development which are not yet filled but budgeted. The operative word here is : “budgeted.”

That is the job of the City Council to approve the budget. So essentially, CC Kazanjian was questioning the City Manager on an item that they, the City Council approved, a couple of months ago. Why wasn’t it questioned back then?

The Mayor made an attempted to reaffirm the City Manager’s explanation for the need of these DPD positions, one has regulatory responsibilities and the other has to do with economic development. The Mayor’s explanation was dismissed and none of CC Kazanjian’s other political allies spoke up. So now, City Manager Bernie Lynch, short-staffed, has to come up with a written explanation why he needs those two positions.

The City Manager and the residents of the City thought we had a budget; in effect a plan. And now, every other Tuesday (come Oct., every Tuesday), at the political whims of City Councilors, that budget which is the planning tool for the upcoming year will be up for review, criticism and revision. This is not the way to run a City.

I would expect the rest of the City Councilors to temper their colleague but given what has happened in the past two years, I am afraid we will have more of the same.

The City Council will soon (August 11th) reverse the decision they took last year by a vote 6-3 (R. Mercier; K. Broderick; and R. Elliott voting against) to change their meeting schedule from weekly to bi-weekly(forthnightly definition; not the twice a week one) . At the time the vote was taken, they had decided to revisit it down the road. Well, I guess we have reached the end of the road.

CC Rita Mercier did present a motion, a few months back, to have a discussion on the impact of the rule change. However, they had agreed to give the new schedule additional time to play itself out so that they would have a better sense of how it is working (not).

When the CC originally decided to change their meeting schedule to the 2nd and 4th week of the month, the primary reason given was to allow Sub-Committees to meet on Tuesday without being “rushed.” And they thought they would have more Sub-Committee meetings. Well, it didn’t work.

Jen Myers’ article in yestertoday’s Sun said it best “Council Chamber often remain dark on alternate Tuesdays, with many subcommittee meetings still being held before regular council meetings.”

I think when CC R. Mercier filed her motion for review, the majority of them knew it was not working. All they had to do was assess how many Sub-Committee meetings were taking place every other Tuesday, between the hours of 6:30 – 11:00 to determine if what they intended to do was really occurring and which CC members were showing up.

As it was mentioned by a number of City Councilors during the Sub-Committee meeting yesterday, the decision created confusion among the residents of Lowell; you really need to pay attention if you did not want to lose track of what was going on.

The weekly meeting schedule goes back into effect in October since the Summer schedule (bi-weekly meeting) runs through September.

In addition to the three members of the Rules Sub-Committee (J. Millinazzo, R. Mercier and A. Mercier), CCs K. Broderick, R. Elliott and A. Kazanjian were in attendance and participated during the Sub-Committee. The author of the original motion, CC M. Lenzi, was not present at the Sub-Committee meeting to defend his position.

The Sun has a nice write up of City Council challenger, Syed Hussain. I worked with Syed back in my peace group days, and have met with him recently to hear about his campaign. A native of India, he now resides in Pawtucketville.

I look forward to hearing more from Syed in the coming months.

I just read mrmillcity’s post on the Gates/Crowley incident. And this is what The Mark has to say (I think about us):

Cambridge Police take up for one of their own, oh and this cop doesn’t plan on voting for Democrat in 2012. Any one else wonder why the local left has been silent on this issue? I mean Sgt. Crowley DOES teach at the Lowell Police Academy and it was the #1 news story in America for almost a week. Weird.

No, The Mark, not weird. We are busy with our work (need to pay the mortgage), Festival volunteering, non-LiL political stuff and our personal lives. Lynne and I have not discussed the Gates arrest, so I am not sure what she thinks.

What is there left to say? Anytime Attorney Wendy Murphy gets involved in a case, I keep my thoughts to myself. And if this “beer diplomacy” works, we may try it here in Lowell.

With all of the City’s attention focused on The Festival, a significant op-ed piece in last Firday’s Lowell Sun, written by Lowell Police Superintendent Kenneth Lavallee, did not receive the focus it deserves . In his article, titled “The role of police in immigration enforcement,” Lavallee clearly states the philosophy of the LPD on this particular issue:

When immigrant residents of Lowell are afraid to report crimes because they worry that contact with my officers could lead to deportation, criminals are allowed to roam free and the entire community suffers as a result. I will not let that happen. My officers and I believe that the best way to approach it is to work with the federal immigration authorities when a crime has been committed, but not to engage in civil immigration law enforcement.

Lavallee and his staff should be praised for making this public statement. The Superintendent referred to a recently released report by the Police Foundation on a study they conducted “to determine the proper balance of immigration enforcement, civil liberties and community safety.” According to the Police Superintendent, the report concludes that “Civil immigration enforcement by state and local police hurts the relationship between local police and their communities, because it chills crime victims from reporting information to the police.” (more…)

View down French St

The streets were rivers!

Wander the streets, find dancing!

Dr. Michael White and the Orginal Liberty Street Jazz Band - sans amplification!

It never. Ever. Fails. We end the Folk Fest with a huge storm! But I had a blast and I hope you did too. When I get my hands on the segment I put together for LTC I will post it. Meanwhile, you can enjoy some of the snapshots I took from my cell.

When the storm hit, I was on French St waiting for the New Orleans traditional jazz band to start. After the rain let up, they went on as planned - a little bit late, and without any electronics, because the Park had to pull the plug as some parts of Boardinghouse were under water. However, though it was a smaller crowd than would have appeared had there been no rainstorm, Dr. Michael White and the Original Liberty Street Jazz Band took the stage and was amazing. The audience, perhaps because we had all just come through the same ordeal, or were just diehards left, were intensely attentive. We danced and a request for Saints from a Louisiana native (which drew laughs when the girl challenged them with a facetious, “Do you know it?”) became a reason for an impromptu New Orleans-style parade. I think the music was better without the amplification, and many people I talked to agreed. We huddled up near the stage and clapped along.

So what was your favorite part of this year’s festival?

This note from from Paul (known as Capt. Paul around here):

My neighborhood is having a block party on Sat. Aug. 8th 12pm to 5pm between Alma and Lafayette Streets in Rosemont Terr. All are invited and I thought it would be a good time for all the candidates to come to my neighborhood to meet my neighbors, there will be food and music and games for the kids. For more info they can call me at 617-755-4718.

Thanks
Paul Belley

Cool idea, thanks Paul!

What are you doing reading a blog?? Get thee to the Folk Festival!

Update: This is why I love living in Lowell! Because an ethic wedding just might crop up in your neighborhood. I was alerted to this by a lightly clanging gong this morning, and witnessed a procession coming up my street to my neighbor’s house. Congrats to the new couple!

Just received a notice from the city:

Beginning on or about Thursday July 30, 2009, Revere Street and parts of Jackson Street from Revere Street to King Street are scheduled to be closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic as part of the demolition of the buildings located at 360 and 324 Jackson Street. Vehicular and pedestrian access will be restricted through the use of concrete jersey barriers and fencing. Residents are asked to seek alternate travel routes until such time that Revere Street and or this portion of Jackson Street are re-opened. It is anticipated that Revere Street and or Jackson Street will be re-opened prior to the opening of the Charter School on August 25, 2009. During demolition activities, appropriate precautionary measures will be taken to protect adjacent property, and vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

So make plans accordingly!

Just a couple of pics I snapped yesterday of the setting up of tents for the Lowell Folk Festival this weekend. It starts tonight, and goes all weekend! (Beginning Friday with the Downtown Parade at 6:40 p.m., then on to Boarding House Park and Dutton Street Dance Pavilion at 7:00 p.m., then noon through 6pm and beyond Sat and Sun.) Anyway, this is just to peak your curiosity! As much of a pain as parking is for the second half of this week, it’s really exciting to be downtown while all this activity is going on.