Someone recently asked who was #2 on the list of longest serving councilors in Lowell since the adoption of the Plan E form of government in 1943 (everyone seems to know that my dad, Dick Howe Sr, with 40 years of continuous service, ranks #1).  If we assume that the councilors just elected last week serve out their full two-year terms, the answer to that question is Bud Caulfield with 24 years on the city council.  For you history and political trivia fans, here’s the list of the ten longest serving Lowell city councilors:

1. Richard Howe Sr. - 40 years - 1965, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, 83, 85, 87, 89, 91, 93, 95, 97, 99, 01 & 03

2. Bud Caulfield - 24 years - 1987, 89, 91, 93, 95, 97, 99, 01, 03, 05, 07 & 09

3. Sam Pollard - 22 years - 1951, 53, 55, 57, 59, 65, 67, 69, 75, 77 & 79

4. (2-way tie) Armand Lemay - 18 years - 1967, 69, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, 83 & 85

4. Brendan Fleming - 18 years - 1969, 71, 75, 79, 81, 83, 85, 87 & 89

6. (3-way tie) Bart Callery - 16 years - 1943, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55 & 61

6. John Janas - 16 years - 1947, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 & 61

6. Rita Mercier - 16 years - 1995, 97, 99, 01, 03, 05, 07 & 09

9. (2-way tie) Bob Kennedy - 14 years - 1971, 73, 83, 85, 87, 89 & 91

9. Rodney Elliott - 14 years - 1997, 99, 01, 03, 05, 07 & 09

That’s the top ten by my quick count.  In the coming days I’ll dig deeper into the records to confirm this roster, but please let me know if I’ve missed anyone.