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…
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…
On Sunday, April 6, 2014 at 2 pm at the Lowell National Park Visitor Center at 246 Market Street (across from Athenian Corner), I will give a Moses Greeley Parker Lecture on Lowell and the Law. Lowell’s explosive growth as a center of textile manufacturing brought with it a boom…
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…
John Edward teaches economics at Bentley and UMass Lowell. He’s a frequent contributor of columns on economic issues. Here is his latest: The good news is our government is very good at collecting economic data. The bad news is the headline numbers can be misleading. March 7, 2014 The Fall…
The following properties in Lowell sold during the past week: March 24, 2014 – Monday 175 Willard St Unit 19 for $39,500. Prior sale 2013 foreclosure 42 18th St for $241,000. Prior sale in 2013 for $145,000 40 Andrews St Unit A for $175,000. Prior sale 2014 foreclosure March 25,…
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…
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…
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.…
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…