Left In Lowell

The body politic is formed by a voluntary association of individuals: it is a social compact, by which the whole people covenants with each citizen, and each citizen with the whole people, …

Update (11/29/11): Good stuff going on over at Gerry Nutter’s Blog. Check it out.

Here is a snippet from a commentor, Doubting Thomas:

Voters don’t see the City Council as being important enough to vote for because it doesn’t do anything independent of the City Manager. If the council is just going to play the role of ‘rubber stamp’ then who cares what names are on the nameplates? If the Council is just going to bash the manager that they hired, then why vote? Basically, unless the Council starts to act like an independent body with intelligent discussion and debate, people are not going to be concerned with it. What is most disappointing is that there is one segment that is pro City Manager and one segment anti City Manager, and everyone acts as if having intelligent discussion, either way, is a sign of changing sides.

Please covenant on this Open Thread.

Or Turducken Day, or Lobster Day, or whatever formerly-living animal you prefer to roast.

Consider this your open thread for the holiday. What are you thankful for?

Um, …
Er, …

Judge for yourself.

Santa, it seems, is making his list and checking it twice.

Please be merry on this Open Thread.

I’m going to take a trick out of the Gerry Nutter handbook and pull a comment out of another diary, making it a diary of its own.

This comment is well thought out:

48.Lowell Resident Says:
November 14th, 2011 at 1:39 pm
You know, I was going to jump in on the mayoral discussion earlier but I’m glad I didn’t. First, I think its important to note that Rodney does have some argument to being named the mayor, he had a better than expected and very solid #2 finish and he has time served (whether you choose to accept or reject these qualifications, they have been traditionally used. the ceremonial position is passed around and these two factors often come into play.) The idea that Broderick was still going to be the mayor after Tuesday’s election results seemed pretty head-in-the-sand, Milinazzo was bumped, Rodney had a solid night, and It didn’t occur to the Rodney-hates that to give it to Millinazzo’s vice mayor wouldn’t be seen as a little tone deaf. Thats why election night, I thought Rita was the compromise choice as someone who has spent time of both sides of the great Lynch debate and still is obviously very popular throughout the city.

But the switch of the anti-Rodney candidate to Murphy and some of the arguments posted here and elsewhere have me throughoughly convinced that a Murphy mayorship would be a good thing. Regardless of what the Sun may write, he does not follow Lynch on every issue. He stood up to him on the issue of plan-design, which was one of the manager’s top priorities.

I also think it is fitting that Rodney gets what he deserves for campaigning against his fellow councilors. The one good thing about a vote for 9 at large system is that it tends to limit negative campaigning. While Rodney didn’t attack his opponents directly, the way he presented contrast was in effect an attack on him. It’s easy to be the guy outvoted 8-1 on tough issues when you know your vote is nothing but a protest. In some cases, being the lone voice is admirable. When its obvious you have no credible alternative plan, its not. Then there’s just the fact that he probably wouldnt be good at the job as mayor, at least in the minds of several of the councilors-elect, judging by published comments.

There could be some backlash (beyond the Sun, where its a foregone conculsion) for “passing over” Rodney Elliot again, but isn’t that just indicative of the great question of representative democracy. It’s far from a slam dunk to say that the public wants Rodney Elliot to be the next mayor, but let’s say for the sake of argument they do. Do you as a fellow councilor vote as the public “wants” you to, or do you vote on the basis of what you think is right?

Please be nice because Santa reads every Open Thread.

I took a vacation day to help several campaigns do visibilities at polling locations. At 7am, I took the youngest Mitchell with me to the PAV and cast the first ballot in 5-2.

Armand Mercier had two gents there with signs. After dropping the student off on Kirk St, I headed over to the McAvinnue to do vis for Murphy. Gitschier and Elliott had a person each doing vis there.

Headed to the Robinson, now. Will be camped out there for awhile.

Whats going on out there?

Please report on this Open Thread.

Update: Robinson School Visibility.

Hey, folks. Please do the candidates you support a big favor, contact them and give them a 2 hour chunk of your life over the next several days.

You gotta figure, they are gonna give you back a whole lot more. And know this; they are stretched thin, about right now.

Because, the heat IS on!

Please volunteer before you comment on this Open Thread.

Update: Make sure you check this out: Lowell Rocks the Vote! Tonight LIVE on LTC Channel 10 at 7pm … with Simulcast on 980WCAP! The info I have says,
Host: Wireless Mike Flynn
Panel: Dahvy Tran, Elkin Montoya, Muriel Parseghian, Gloria Polities, Fru Nkimbeng, & Bobby Tugbiyeles
Presentation by Dr. Marcos Luna of Salem State University with commentary from Prof. Robert Forrant, UMASS Lowell

Some of you may remember that Dr. Luna’s work has been key to a modern understanding of Lowell’s voting trends.

(more…)

Folks, there is plenty of talk out there about expanding the MCAS tests to include more subjects. For sure, a standardized test has its place. We rely on the SAT to help evaluate High School graduates seeking to attend a college or university. However, let’s, as we move forward, be wary of any unintended consequences. I don’t want those test scores tied around teachers necks.

The privatizers are coming.

BOSTON — An advocacy group pressing for a ballot law that would force schools to prioritize teacher effectiveness over seniority in hiring, layoff, and transfer decisions says it has amassed more than 100,000 voter signatures.

The state’s largest teacher’s union is gearing up to fight the proposal in court.

(more…)

Please debate on this Open Thread.

I’m watching City Life and George Anthes is urging the various candidates to find a soapbox. For those inclined, here it is. The many candidate forums may not offer an opportunity to speak on the random happenings of the city. Also, some subjects may be taboo if the Council is there at the forum. Open meeting laws are much tighter than before.

Some suggested topics:

- Matters related to the city clerk, including the proposed court settlement, the “job description,” the snub of the Ass’t Clerk, ect.

- Matters related to the pending adoption of the change in state law, re: municipal union collective bargaining/health care.

- The relationship between Lowell Police and city officials.

- Matters related to the High School ROTC program.

- Latin Lyceum review process

- Use of “grants” to fund public services

Your soapbox. Your Open Thread. …. Or, call George Anthes in the morning.

Update: Should a candidate wish to offer a comment, please e-mail it to me at sleeping.giant.stirs (at) gmail.com
I don’t want to allow some mellonhead to pose as a candidate. Comments from candidates without backup will not be posted, as a precaution.