Left In Lowell

I just read in the Sun that the Tsongas Arena was transferred from City ownership to the University. There is still some housekeeping legislation that is required but this is a done deal.

It has been a turbulent 10 years for the arena. So with a stroke of a pen, and thanks to the Commonwealth, the City removes about $400,000 deficit from its budget and a debt of $2.5 million.

So now the University owns two major entertainment-cultural venues in the City. I hope they have better luck with the Arena than we did. So expect that blue U Mass Lowell sign to be put it shortly.

UPDATE: (11/1/09) As waittilnextyr explained in the comment section, the media confusion may have been created by City Councilors who mixed up debt with deficit. So to recap, the City gets rid of the subsidy, the diffiulties of running the Arena, we maintain control of most of the parking and attached revenue, when the adjacent parcel is developed, it will generate taxes and produe economic activity, and of ourse, all this bolsters the University and enhances its connection to the City, especially the downtown.

In the midst of all the politicking and rhetoric, it’s nice to see something positive about our schools. From the office of the Superintendent, a press release showcasing how Lowell quite holds its own in the new growth measures from the state.

Lowell demonstrates strength in new state growth measures

[LOWELL] – The median or “typical” student in Lowell grew at the 49th percentile in English language arts and at the 55th percentile in mathematics, according to the state’s new growth model released on Tuesday that compares students with similar MCAS score histories. The district scores showed growth in English Language Arts consistent with statewide growth rates, and the district showed strong levels of growth in Mathematics, particularly in the middle schools.

Whatever smalls shreds of respect I might have still had for members of our state delegation are now completely gone. They have, to a man, cast their lot with a guy whose questionable ethics in multiple arenas of business and politics is Lowell’s worst kept secret ever.

Since I have so much fun doing it, let’s drive some dump trucks through the holes in their logic for backing their BFF, shall we? We can start here:

“He’s a hard-working businessman, a family man and a hard-working city councilor,” said Panagiotakos. “He’s also a friend in need.”

Asked to elaborate, Panagiotakos said Kazanjian has been subjected to “negative” press coverage.
[…]
Asked if he thought The Sun’s coverage was unfair, Nangle said: “Well, it’s just an investigation, right? It’s almost like he’s been tried and convicted in the paper. I also question the timing of the stories.”

Here’s where I do something really weird and back the Sun. Not because it happens to be convenient (though it is) but because these are the most stupid statements uttered by these GOBs, ever. Let’s start with Nangle.

The timing of the stories? You mean, reporting on things that are actually happening as they happen??? The inspectional services investigation has been going on for months and months, and these stories (also spread over months and months) are the trickle, drip, drip results of that investigation. So I guess the FBI, the Middlesex DA, and the Lowell Sun are all in cahoots trying to discredit poor, besmirched Kazanjian right before the election? What is the Sun supposed to do, IGNORE a story that could affect the outcome of an election? Aren’t we supposed to know shit when we go to vote? Make an informed decision and all?? So, besides killing the preliminary at the behest of 5 incumbents who stood to gain from it, they’re now telling us we’re supposed to go into the voting booth without the knowledge that one of the incumbents is being investigated by the FBI and Middlesex DA? What the fuck planet are these people from??

Keep in mind, that two years ago, this paper was quite mum on the context and motivations of this same “embattled” candidate, and he won. I didn’t hear these GOB idiots who represent us on Beacon Hill complaining then about the timing or lack thereof of stories in the paper.

Yes, I’m swearing in this post, and yes, I am calling these people idiots. It’s past time for half measures.

On the issue of “tried and convicted” I have seen none of that from the Sun. The allegations themselves are damning, since there’s plenty of evidence already out there, but the Sun hasn’t been overly speculative or overreaching. The reporters writing the stories (primarily Scott) have done a good job covering the allegations, connecting the dots for readers, and covering the facts. Just because the facts have an anti-Kazanjian bias (to steal and paraphrase Jon Stewart) doesn’t mean the stories have been biased.

Okay, where was I? Oh yes. Golden.

“However, I don’t believe Alan should lose re-election based on allegations. The hard-working, family man that I know wouldn’t be involved in that kind of stuff. For him to lose a seat based on allegations would be just wrong.”

O. M. F. G. The brain explodes. By that very generous measure of character, Charles Manson was all right so long as they hadn’t proven anything yet and his friends vouched for him. What the hell??

Remember, Sal DiMasi was surrounded by “mere allegations” when this moron and his moron fellows voted for him as Speaker of the House, only to be forced to resign like minutes later (metaphorically speaking). Heck of a job, Goldie.

By the way, don’t forget this:

The ad was arranged and paid for by the Kazanjian Committee. The committee’s treasurer is Anne Sepe. Sepe is employed as a clerk by Panagiotakos, a lawyer, in his Highlands law office.

This has been a little incestuous relationship from the very beginning folks, but now we know just how far down the shithole these guys will go to back a friend. A smart person with crooked friends knows when to cut them loose before they become a liability. So now it’s clear that not only are the members of the state delegation some of the worst Good Ol’ Boys (which we knew of course), but also that they are dumb GOBs.

Here’s hoping you all go down with the sinking ship, fellas.

Margaret over at Jackie’s blog has a great, very cogent essay as to why she supports Choice Voting (Yes on Question One). A good read no matter where you stand.

The longest and most important video of them all, Governance Issues. This is section number seven and the final video of our series. We hope you enjoy it, and that we have contributed to the debate in some small way.

All the videos are on a single page here, which is also linked from under the title area of the blog.

Interesting that the Lowell Sun is going to stream live from the ‘Shamrock on Tuesday night as results come in. (It says a lot that they are going there instead of City Hall for official results, as Pangiotakos’ people spread throughout the city and get the results the fastest.) So you can watch the coverage live streaming on the web.

Is anyone else covering live that night? LTC? WCAP?

Not election related, but very cool:

The City of Lowell and the Lower Highlands Neighborhood Group welcome the graduate students from MIT’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning for the first community meeting on the LOWER HIGHLANDS NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN on WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28 from 7:00-9:00PM at the Boys and Girls Club at 657 Middlesex Street.

This is the first of two meetings to present preliminary findings and seek comments from the neighborhood about issues and concerns that should be included in the plan. The plan will be used by the City and the neighborhood to implement change and affect improvement! The final presentation will be scheduled in early December.

For more information, contact George Proakis a 978-446-7200 or gproakis (at) lowellma.gov or Taya Dixon Mullane at at tayadixon (at) hotmail.com.

Listening to Milinazzo’s motion now…seconded…by Kazanjian! He shouldn’t even be in the room as far as I know…nevermind participating in seconding and discussion on his. own. property.

Someone want to clue me in, here?

Second to last video. The last one is the doozy! But this one is good…mostly questions about Public Safety.

In case anyone is wondering, here is my final rundown on where I stand on candidates, endorsements, and recommendations.

Vote YES on Question One, Choice Voting. Here’s why I think the anti arguments are silly.

On the GL Tech High School, I endorse with all emphasis Fred Bahou (interview here), and will also vote for George O’Hare, because I think Michael Hayden should be tossed out on his keyster ASAP.

On the School Committee side, I endorse with no reservations Alison Laraba, the only challenger, and incumbents Jackie Doherty and Connie Martin (full disclosure, my company has a contract with Connie’s division at CTI right now, but we’ve endorsed Connie in the past so this should be no surprise). I will also vote for John Lehey and Jim Leary, because if Alison displaces anyone on that School Committee, it needs to be Dave Conway or Regina Faticanti, both of whom are bad for our schools.

For City Council, there is the fabulous list of Move Lowell Forward endorsees - incumbents Kevin Broderick, Bill Martin, and Jim Milinazzo; and challengers Franky Descoteaux, David Koch, Joe Mendonca, Patrick Murphy, Ben Opara, and Raymond Weicker

There you have it…my ballot for next Tuesday. If you don’t get out and vote, you have no right to complain!