Left In Lowell

Maybe the Gods on Mt. Olympus would expect us mere mortals to ‘turn the other cheek,’ when they lob mud down upon us, via a dead tree rag.
I suggest they task Hermes with getting high speed internet and a few smaht phones.

Soon after the Inaugural, various factions of the Lowell bubble joined the Blog of Record to pester the new Mayor. Why the “prominent Greeks” opted to join the dogpile, we can only speculate. But, join they did.

From April 1, 2012

Last Tuesday, I followed Greg Page back to the Mayor’s office, in pursuit of his earlier comments to the Council. Gazing about the room, I noticed a bust of Pericles in the office. My mind drifted quickly back to Mr. Blackington’s Western Civilization class and I mentally patted myself on the back for recognizing Pericles. Mayor Murphy is a student of the ancients. So much for that, I thought.

Not so much, apparently.
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My Great Grandfather, John J. Smithwick, was Irish and a proud Union man. He helped form one of Boston’s most powerful labor organizations, … back in the day.

What Irish blood courses through me knows the honor in solidarity.

As with many Americans, I feel disconnected from my forefathers and the homeland. I don’t think that is an inherently bad thing, as the promise of America takes diligence. However, you can come to feel ’shallow,’ as an American. The earth below my feet doesn’t hold the blood and tears of countless generations of my kin. Such connectivity can be powerful. Often, too much so.

Thus, I find myself, this St.Patrick’s Day, in limbo.

Please shimmy under the stick with me on this Open Thread.

What item on the City Council meeting agenda tonight will be fodder for another Elliott meltdown? Place your bet in comments. Here are your choices:

1. Communication - Amy Pessia from Merrimack Valley Food Bank discussion of Spring food drive.

2. Proclamation - To Coach Phil Maia and the Lowell High School Indoor Track Team in recognition of the 2012-1013 State Championship and recognizing February 27, 2013 as the 2012-2013 Lowell High School Indoor Track Team Day.

CITY CLERK

3. Minutes of City Council Meeting February 19th, Public Safety Sub/Committee February 12th, and Rules Sub/Committee February 19th for acceptance.

GENERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS (Scheduled for 7PM)

4. Loan Order - Capital Improvement Bonds - to borrow $2,000,000 for the purpose of financing the purchase and installation of parking kiosks.

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A new open thread for your enjoyment as we all scramble around trying to get ready for the holidays.

Please take a moment to hold in your mind all those whose Christmas will not be joyful…not just the Sandy Hook family members, but the many people before and since who’ve been victims of violence, particularly gun violence.

And also take the time to enjoy the company of friends and family, because to me celebrating that is part of celebrating the lives of those taken from us. Happy holidays, everyone, whatever it is you celebrate.

PS: did I mention I am grumpy, also, about a special election? Talk about a distraction from our local muni contest. Just sayin’.

Thanks to Corey S, I found my way onto a photo gallery on Facebook by the Lowell Historical Society. As a “nouveau townie” (let’s do away with blow-in, please), I was fascinated to see what Lowell looked like as it widened Pawtucket Blvd, built the Wang Towers and the Rourke bridge, and before the tear-down and rebuilding of large areas of downtown Lowell. This early-80s set of photos (donated anonymously) is a great walk down memory lane for some, and a fascinating look at old Lowell for those who have more recently made it their home.

In other great Lowellcentric things to browse on a Sunday afternoon, I again came across the Rourke Bridge replacement study website, which has lots and lots of great information on the public meetings, studies that have been done, and more. As project websites go, it’s a really good one. If you, like me, missed the public meetings, I highly recommend reading through some of the material!

Lowell City Councilor Rita Mercier crticizing those who post anonymous comments on local political blogs in Lowell, Massachusetts. Lowell City Council meeting - July 21, 2009

Please don’t hate this Open Thread.

I just wanted to jump for a moment off the crazy train and express my gratitude for the fact that we live in this country, where we have free speech, where we have elected representative government, and how great it is to spend the day with a bounty of food, family, and lots and lots of fabulous wine from our locally owned markets.

I hope that even the people who hate my guts have a wonderful day with them and theirs, and they realize just how lucky we are in this city, this state, and this country. And that we remember those here in the US, and worldwide, who do not share in the bounty with us. May we be ever more compassionate in our thoughts and in our policies.

With that, let turkey-day commence! Have a great one!

The Merrimack Valley seems to have been largely spared, but I suppose, tell that to people who’ve lost power. What are you seeing around Lowell?

I have to admit, in my neighborhood, I saw more damage with Irene. Maybe all our weak branches and trees came down then and with last year’s Oct storm.

And how are you keeping your kids occupied during a second day at home?

It’s a good idea to secure the loose stuff that could fly around in the wind, e.g. political yards signs.
My printer pal is now officially ticked off. ;v)

Use this as an Open Thread, if you like.

When You’se Impotent, You’se Gots To Act Important!

I can name a litany of Democratic-sponsored bills that I’ve done that never would have passed hadn’t it been for me, and the president had called me, and vice president calls me, and Secretary Clinton calls asking for my vote all the time.

In reality, Brown’s staff says he has spoken by phone with Clinton just twice during his Senate career — most recently over a year ago, on July 5, 2011.

The other call occurred in December 2010, when the Obama administration was seeking votes to pass the New START Treaty.

Brown and Clinton have spoken in person twice, when the secretary addressed a group of senators on political uprisings in Egypt and Libya. Those sessions were over a year ago, in February 2011 and March 2011.

Please stay humble on this Open Thread