Left In Lowell

Well friends, we have had enough campaign kickoff parties to get a sense of where we are headed. And the litmus test du-jour is whether or not a candidate will be a “rubber stamp for Bernie.” This even comes up in School Committee events.

Seems the old spirits of a bygone era are not happy in exile. The din of the disgruntled, murmurs in the local watering holes. The effete, pinkies up, pooh pooh this so called “professional government.” From the high hills to the tenaments in the Bowl, conspiracy boils for the way things used to be. When a permit was on a wink and a nod. When a job was assured for politcal loyalty or what family you came from. When contracts were finagled and the City budget was the meat wagon your pals feasted from.

Can you feel them out there? Can you feel them wanting? The way it used to be?

For this note, I will be labeled. “Mitchell holds Bernie’s coat.” “Jack carries Bernie’s water.” Hmm? That just may be. But if you have ever talked to me, I’ve told you, “I don’t care if Bernie goes. It isn’t him that I support, it is the way we now conduct ourselves.” Go ahead and hand Bernie his pink slip tomorrow. Will I gripe? Not if you give Adam Baacke his job. Hire anyone that will truly carry on the momentum of what is going on. I really don’t care.

But don’t try to bullshit me and say Kevin Murphy is that guy. Come on. You read the blogs, just like I do. The names of the “preferred replacements” are out there. Lowell thrives on whispers. But now the whisperers comment on blogs. Trust no one.

The hamfisted haters that do their best to use our City to butter their bread are good at being against something. They may even be cohesive enough to get rid of a few “rubber stamps” on the Council. But it is easy to be against something. Wait until it comes time to set up Bernie’s successor. Then their fellowship will splinter from mistrust and clan allegiance.

Remember the level playing field, oh ye of olde Lowell. You just may find yourself wishing for what we have now.

See you at the next kickoff. I’ll be there.