I walked our dog on the South Common this morning. The grass had turned green seemingly overnight, a refreshing sight after the long winter. Fat-chested robins in their red bibs poked at the defrosted ground on the sports field. In the high fir trees invisible birds called and sang brightly.…
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Councilor Leahy is absent from tonight’s meeting. Council grants permit to National Park to move NPS Law Enforcement operation to the Market Mills Building at 246 Market Street. This will provide more law enforcement visibility in downtown. Councilor Belanger comments on city manager report on income produced from increased meal…
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Every Lowell City Councilor is a unique individual with unique passions and priorities. That said, in the action-packed first three months of this term, several coalitions seem to have developed. First, you have Mayor Rodney Elliott and Councilors Rita Mercier, Corey Belanger and Dan Rourke who seem to be aligned…
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Lowell City Council Special Meeting, March 31, 2014 Selection and appointment of City Manager City Auditor update Motion to suspend the rules relative to City Auditor search. Passes. Another candidate dropped out leaving only one applicant. Councilor Milinazzo moves that the council reopen the search, allow the one remaining finalist…
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The City Council interviews of the five finalists for the position of Lowell City Manager dominated politics in the city this week. I watched all five interviews and thought the interview process went pretty well. The council was fortunate to schedule only two interviews per day because sitting through nearly…
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March 27, 2014 Kevin Murphy interview Opening Statement: Loves the city. It’s his home. He’s lived here his entire life. I’m the parent of a child who received a world-class education in the Lowell public schools. We have a shared destiny. A city where people can find jobs or start…
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March 27, 2014 Greg Balukonis interview Opening Statement: Lives in Shrewsbury. He’s in the business of city manager. Is not a politician; not in the private sector; not an academic; is in local government. That’s his strength but he knows the job is more than sitting behind the desk and…
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March 26, 2014 George Ramirez opening statement Begins by reminiscing about his time on the council eight years ago. He applied for several reasons. Lowell is special to him. 40 years ago Lowell welcomed him and his family from Columbia. Went to school, married and has lived here ever since.…
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March 26, 2014 Opening Statement: It’s a great honor to be here. When I arrived in Blackstone there was no economic development plan. Created a program of economic development [he’s reading his statement]. Brought in Northeastern University school of engineering to assist in development of downtown. Has extensive experience in…
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The issue of parking in downtown Lowell is getting some attention. It was discussed at last week’s economic development subcommittee and downtown resident Corey Sciuto posted a letter he sent to councilors on the issue on his own blog. This morning I found a lengthy comment from a regular reader…
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