Left In Lowell

You hear different things around town, but it was something that Kendall Wallace said that drove it home, for me:

Newcomer John MacDonald got out of the box earlier and veteran political followers were predicting him a winner because he was doing the necessary early groundwork. All that seems to have slowed down and he is running with the rest of the pack of “can-win” candidates.

What happened, if anything? And why is Wallace being so fickle? (more…)

Whatever you think of the initiative spearheaded by UTEC to allow 17 year old to vote (I am personally for it) in our local muni elections, you have the admire the organization and passion that has gone into it. As a foray into political organizing (be it for an issue, a candidate, or just organizing in general) and as civic involvement goes, I consider that they’ve already won.

Get ‘em early while they’re young, make them feel that their voice is important. Maybe this is the antidote we’ve been looking for to cure cynicism in our politics.

It’d be nice to cap this with a real win, so the kids can showcase how our political system works - organize, fight for your issue, knock on doors, and get a bill you care about passed. There’s no harm as far as I can see to give a voice to kids still in school about how we govern those schools and our city. They are as affected by the policy as anyone could be.

From the press release:

The Vote 17 campaign is unlike any similar past or current bill as it calls for the initiative to appear on Lowell’s local election ballot after full State House approval. Teen organizers are asking that the state legislature allow the voters of Lowell to decide on an issue that has already received full support from all levels of Lowell’s city government and its statehouse delegation. Throughout the bill’s journey, it has gained support from The Lowell Sun Editorial Board, the entire Lowell Statehouse Delegation and bill sponsor Rep. Kevin Murphy, the Lowell City Council, Chief of Police Ken Lavallee, and recent endorsements from SEIU 615 and IBEW 2321. As Vote 17 teen organizers have said from the beginning of their campaign, given such widespread support, they are simply asking to “Let Lowell Vote!”

There will be a press conference on their bill at the United Teen Equality Center (UTEC), 34 Hurd Street, Lowell, this Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at 3:30pm.