Author Archive

Kevin Murphy: The Right Choice

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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Kevin Murphy new Lowell City Manager

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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Lowell Week in Review, March 30, 2014

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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Interview of Kevin Murphy

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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Interview of Greg Balukonis

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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George Ramirez interview

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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Interview of Daniel Keyes

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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