Left In Lowell

The LHA thing is a mess and getting messier. I’ll wager the swath of collateral damage from it will make whoever started it, curse their own Machiavellian gods. I will state that, based on what I saw of the Council, it was clear that nothing was going to pause for the State or Federal folks to show up. Lynch agreed to invite them, but not on the condition of waiting.

But enough of that. This diary is about Nutter making Campi nuts. Well, “Making” is an overstatement. If you watch the Blog of Record stumble along with our news, maybe Nutter simply got Campi to let down his guard.

Case in point:

(Note: When you first connect there is a link that prompts you for an Adobe player. Ignore it. Then comes an ad. They can be up to 30 seconds long. Finally the clip.)

I think Gerry has been too rough on the paper boy.

Imagine, this is the steward of your 4th Estate. The one codified in our Constitution. That should give some pause.

On Dec. 8th, FERC released a DRAFT of what is called a Memorandum of Agreement.

It effectively is a correspondence that offers, ‘We’ll show you our cards, if you show us yours.’ I frame it this way because this is likely all going to Court with FERC and Dept. of Interior as litigants. They don’t mean to bloody each other, so they play it straight.

First, FERC makes an important disclosure: Based on the Keeper’s determination, we will treat the dam as individually eligible for listing in the National Register. As a result, we now believe that installation of the pneumatic crest gate system and construction of a compressor house would result in an adverse effect, …

Below is more context & detail:

Commission staff requested a formal determination of the eligibility of Pawtucket Dam as an individual historic property, and clarification of the dam’s significance as a contributing element to listed historic. districts, by letter dated September 19, 2011. National Register staff requested photographs showing the current condition of the dam on October 18, 2011;these photographs were provided by letter dated October 20, 2011.
-snip

On October 26, 2011, we received the Keeper’s Determination of Eligibility Notification. The Determination of Eligibility Notification finds the dam individually eligible because of its historic and engineering significance, and states that

under Federal law and regulations no distinction is made between properties determined individually eligible for the National Register and those determined eligible as contributing to a historic district. The Pawtucket Dam is significant as an element of an integrated historic industrial process which includes dams, canals, gates, locks, mill yards, machine shops, and managers and workers housing, which form perhaps the most historically significant extant collection of 19 century industrial buildings and structures in the country, and as such, the dam should not be evaluated individually apart from its functioning as a highly significant and integral component of a larger nationally important historic resource.

Based on the Keeper’s determination, we will treat the dam as individually eligible for listing in the National Register. As a result, we now believe that installation of the pneumatic crest gate system and construction of a compressor house would result in an adverse effect, because they will alter the architecture of the dam. To mitigate for the adverse effect, we have prepared the attached draft Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) regarding the management of historic properties that may be affected by the installation of a pneumatic crest gate system and construction of a compressor house at the Lowell Hydroelectric Project. We are requesting your comments on the draft MOA and the stipulations to address the adverse effects. Please provide your comments and any additional recommendations within 30 days of the date of this letter.

After FERC gave a gift, it opted to make a joke. Here is their proposal for ‘mitigating’ the destruction of our heritage:

The Commission shall ensure that, upon acceptance of the license amendment for this Project, the following mitigation measures are carried out to resolve adverse effects to historic properties.

TREATMENT OF ADVERSE EFFECTS OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES

A. INTERPRETIVE DISPLAYS
Boott will develop two interpretive exhibits, one featuring a replica of a portion of the original flashboard system and one featuring the new crest gate system, to be located at the Project to enhance visitor understanding of the history of Pawtucket dam and the Lowell Project. Boott will develop the interpretive displays, and determine their location, in consultation with the National Park Service.

B. CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
Boott will design and construct the compressor house with materials that are compatible with the historic fabric of the adjacent architecture. This stipulation will ensure that the compressor house resembles nineteenth century buildings in Lowell, specifically the nearby Northern Canal Gatehouse. To mimic the existing dam’s appearance, Boott will use a brown-colored bladder, paint the downstream side of the crest gate panels brown, and install black retaining straps an average of 20 inches on center. This stipulation will ensure that the crest gate system is similar in appearance to the existing wooden flashboards.

Yes, FERC. Interpretive displays? Like mimes and dance? How about we just let the dam display it’s historical significance. Too novel, FERC?
(more…)

I went into this editorial with a sense of dread. The Blog of Record is notoriously slanted towards the rantings of the Republican ‘bumper sticker braintrust.’ Certainly, the headline ‘’ ‘Occupy’ should get out” didn’t ease my brewing agita. But, then I saw this: “of park and into drive.” Hmmm. Color me intrigued.

Reading on, I was pleasantly surprised.

Thus, Dewey Square, the Boston beachhead for the national movement that decries the stranglehold of this country’s wealth and power by an elite microcosm of the population, was disassembled in a generally orderly fashion.

Those few hundred of the “99″ percent of us they aspired to represent had set up shop in September, determined to confront those working in the Financial District, in order to expose what they saw as an economic system that no longer represents the common man.

Yes, Occupy is a statement about how the game is fixed. Our Federal gov’t is so strongly lobbied by special interests, that laws and regulations disproportionately favor the enterprise and prosperity of the “elite microcosm.”

So where do the Boston and national Occupy movements go from here?

Conservatives unhappy with the Obama administration’s economic policies took out their frustrations, not by establishing encampments and beating drums, but by organizing themselves into a coherent counterpoint — the tea-party movement.

No matter what you think of it, there’s no denying the tea party’s influence among the Republican establishment.

The challenge for the “Occupiers” is to raise their angst to the level of an organized movement to effect change at the local and national levels.

In our system of government, that can only be accomplished through the political process.

Yes!

Having always followed politics, I decided to engage as a Democrat when it became painfully obvious that the Republican’s view of ‘Regulation’ is - Strong enough to keep YOU from robbing a bank, yet supple enough to allow a bank to rob YOU.

I’m working on the bumper stickers.

Not long ago, I got an e-mail from Gerry Nutter:

Good Morning,
I am writing to ask you if on Saturday Morning Dec 10th you would be willing to join us in promoting the WCAP Radiothon to Benefit the Salvation Army. We are asking you to write a short post to leave up that morning (or Friday night until the following morning at noon) asking people to call 978-454-4980 to make a donation and to add the link for LTC channel 8 which will be broadcasting and live streaming the items available for people to call and make a bid.
-snip

I’m happy to lend a hand for a good cause. Though, honestly, I’m sorta lazy and Gerry has done ALL the leg work for me.

PLEASE consider tuning into WCAP on Saturday Dec.10 from 6:00 am – 1:00 pm (or has long as is needed) and calling in to make a donation to the Salvation Army during the annual radiothon.

This year you can also tune into LTC channel 8 to see items that area businesses or individuals have contributed and you can call in and make a bid to purchase them or you can stop by the Lowell Sun building from 10:00 – Noon to listen to the music of Paul Belley and his band, get the kids picture taken with Santa, meet Bob Lobel, Mickey Ward, Mickey O’Keefe and Jim Campanini and make a donation or bid on items we will be auctioning off there.

Like last year the need is growing and all donations stay in the Greater Lowell Area for families that are in need.

So I ask you on behalf of all those involved and especially for all those in need, please consider making a donation of $5, $10,or whatever you can, call and bid on an item to give to someone for Christmas or stop by and make a dollar or two donation for a picture with Santa.

Please help us to help those in need.

If you want to see a listing of the items being auctioned for this charity, I am under the impression that THIS SITE is kept updated.

Tonight there was a hearing held at the Pollard Library, where community input was solicited over a proposed public charter school. I didn’t attend the hearing, as it was held during normal business hours. But, I’m told that supporters offered encouragement, some in person, some by letter.

Those you would know that are supporting this charter school are Joe Mendonca, Tom Wirtenan, Bill Taupier and Steve Pangiatakos. Opposing the proposal, at the event, were Jean Franco & Paul Georges.

I heard there was one particularly cranky man that took the opportunity to rant about greedy Unions, or some nonsense like that. Any microphone will do, eh?

I stated earlier that I’m not supporting this effort. There are plenty of private opportunities to educate your child in Lowell. We sent both our daughters to SJA (K-8), and then to Lowell High. I believe that school choice should be there, but that private schools should not drain public coffers. Thus, we went without some “things,” so our kids could have a solid educational foundation. There was a sting to the tuition. It should be that way.

The criticism of this proposal, backed by SABIS® Educational Systems, Inc., are:
- The educational approach and materials are proprietary, so any ‘lessoned learned’ overcoming challenges unique to Lowell would not be shared with other Lowell public schools.
- The charter school will selectively recruit students, draining talent and public money from LSS.
- That SABIS North America is HQ’d in Minnesota, with a global parent Corp out of Lebanon.
- The current board is comprised, partly, of folks associated to the troubled Lowell Community Charter School.

I used Teh Google and found some things to consider. Please view them below the fold.
(more…)

I’ve been ruminating on the Council’s selection for City Clerk. My gut says trust, but I wonder ….

Then I saw this, by Rob Mills, on my Facebook page:

Five-month-old boy left facedown in the yard, in a diaper…
sunpoliceline.wordpress.com
He had said as much about a dozen times before an officer finally chastized him, asking Dalphond why he kept apologizing instead of asking about his baby’s well-being, or even where the boy had been taken.

I followed the link:

That’s when Dalphond mentioned she was working. I’m not sure if Dalphond initially gave police a false name, but after an officer asked him what “your real date of birth is,” officers determined he was wanted on a default warrant.
-snip

Lowell Police contacted the Department of Children and Families, which released the child into the custody of his 24-year-old mother, who, at least until last night, lives with Dalphond.

Working mom leaves her baby with a (fill in the blank) to find out the baby is out on the front lawn.

This reminds me of a Jay Z joint.

Lowell. We got 99 problems, but a Clerk ain’t one.

Let’s give Mr. Geary a year.

Let’s be clear, it isn’t easy being a legitimate newspaper these days. What with all the ‘blogging’ and such.

Pardon my delight, as I remind anyone who cares, “To err is human. To forgive … means you ain’t from Lowell!”

Maybe you noticed that earlier I picked up on a story from our ‘Blog of Record.’ (They are legit, y’know.) The aforementioned BoR then chased after the point I raised, as did Gerry Nutter, highlighting that a corruption culprit was still at-large. (Which is no biggie, btw, because there are illegal aliens around) Now I may not be legit, but I took the high road and didn’t finger anyone as the “co-conspirator.” Besides, I am not the pal of the Assistant U.S. Attorney, so I only know what is bouncing around the bubble. Meaning, I don’t KNOW nothin’.

Neither does the Blog of Record, but they were inclined to wing it & fling it. Keeping up with the Joneses Bloggers, eh?

The clandestine co-conspirator is widely believed to be downtown Lowell property owner Thomas Byrne.

Ouch! No doubt that Chris Scott’s “widely” is wider than this humble blogger’s, but Tommy hasn’t come up in my meager wideness.

I posted that quote, as an Update to my diary. Later, when checking the hyperlink, I noticed the blog entry had been … um, … tweaked.

Just below is the original, with the line I blockquoted bracketed in red:

(more…)

It’s been slow blogging since the election. LiL and Nutter output is down, along with commenting. Dick Howe’s blog is on pace, even with the namesake listed as ‘day to day’ due to an eye injury. (btw, Dick’s prognosis is good) The stand out Lowell blogger is Cliff Krieger. That blog is grinding out post after post. I suggest, especially as we head in to a national election cycle, you give Cliff more of your mouse clicks.

There are a few things worth glancing over. The CM is looking for the Council to shit or get off the pot, re: plan design. The Council’s multitasking skills will be challenged, as they also have to pick a new City Clerk. Will they reinforce the “Townie Turnstyle?”

Also, some folks are looking to set up another Charter School. Er, put me down as a NO! Lowell has enough school choice, especially K-8. I don’t want no stinkin’ vouchers & no ’scab hiring, for profit, cherry picking all the brightest kids to pump your test scores, using retreads from a failed board‘ charter schools, neither. :vP”’

The holiday charity industry is in full swing. I always feel so joyous as the Lowell Brahmin come down to mingle among us. It’s a hoot as they compete to out ‘good karma’ each other. I wasn’t the only one paying attention when Bill Clinton said, “To the truly enlightened, altruism is the purest form of self-preservation.”

Shame on me for poo pooing. Don’t I always look for a ‘Win-Win?’

Leave the pooing to me, on this Open Thread.

You may have read recently that former City Manager and State Senator Joe Tully, having been convicted of his second felony related to corruption, was sentenced. The terms of his sentence have been a matter of contentious discussion amongst those that note such things. The Blog of Record did make the sentence central to its story.

If we are concerned about justice, I suggest we move on from Tully and take note of this snippet:

… Tully and the co-conspirator pocketed the money, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney William Welch.

The co-conspirator has never been charged, although Welch said the investigation is continuing.

The Assistant U.S. Attorney is clear, there is a co-conspirator with half of the loot burning a hole in his/her pocket. I find that troubling. You?

Welch stated about Tully, “He took advantage of the public’s cynicism of public officials,”

*chin scratch*

Among us are sinners and saints. The moral melting pot that is Lowell drives us to accomplish and we should be proud of what we have accomplished. Though, it might be wise to take some shame in facets of how we have accomplished what we have.

What is past is past. It matters more, how we move forward.

Thus, as we endeavor to commit to the enterprise of lifting Lowell up, be consciencous of whose ring you would choose to kiss. You may not know where it has been.

Update (12/5/11): The Blog of Record points a fickle finger:

The clandestine co-conspirator is widely believed to be downtown Lowell property owner Thomas Byrne.

Tommy’s name was out there before. Ho-hum, Chris Scott.

Note: This blog is not here for you to accuse. I reserve the right to censor/delete anything that attacks a reputation. Besides, if you know something important, you should not be blogging here. I’m sure Assistant U.S. Attorney William Welch’s number is in the book.