Author Archive

“Is College Worth It” by John Edward

John Edward teaches economics at Bentley and UMass Lowell. He’s a frequent contributor of columns on economic issues. Here is his latest: Parents considering spending a quarter of a million dollars must wonder. Graduates saddled with debt must think about it. UMass Lowell just launched an advertising campaign based on…

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City Council Meeting: February 4, 2014

Thanks to Jack Moynihan for pinch hitting for me tonight on the city council note taking shift. Here’s Jack’s report on the meeting: Mayor Elliot called meeting to order at 6:14. Minutes were accepted unanimously. The first motion is by Rourke to take the motion to appoint Salmira Mitchell to…

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Michael Geary appointed Acting City Manager

Special meeting to appoint acting City Manager effective March 10, 2014. Kennedy moves that the council appointment Michael Geary acting city manager effective March 11, 2014 and that appointment stay in place until a permanent manager is hired. Councilor Martin says he supports Geary but he wants to address the…

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Week in Review: February 2, 2014

Last week I purposely avoided any mention of Mayor Murphy’s portrait for several reasons. Like the Nativity Scene controversy and to a lesser extent, the controversy over board appointments, I considered it a diversionary tactic used by some to draw attention away from important matter such as the process for…

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“Lunch Money” at Lowell High

Last night the students of the Lowell High Theatre Troupe took over the Little Theatre to perform three short plays by Lowell’s own Jack Neary before a packed house. The first play, “Talk Back”, featured the director of a play in a post performance question and answer session with the…

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Khmer Post USA Press Club

Roger and Soben Pin formerly published the Khmer Post newspaper in Philadelphia before moving to Lowell more than a year ago. In Philadelphia, they routinely held gatherings where members of the city’s Cambodian community and public officials could come together and discuss the issues of concern to the community. Roger…

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House Party for Maura Healey for AG

In this year’s election, I’m supporting Maura Healey for the office of Attorney General of Massachusetts. Working at the Attorney Generals office from 2007 until the recent start of this campaign, Maura was responsible for two very important divisions in the AG’s office – Public Protection and Business & Labor.…

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Patrick Murphy letter to city councilors

Here’s a letter from former Mayor Patrick Murphy to the current members of the city council. The subject is his mayoral portrait. He gave me permission to post the letter here. Councilors, I understand that you will consider tonight Councilor Mercier’s request that the “City Council Rules SC establish guidelines…

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City Council Meeting: January 28, 2014

It’s 24 hours late, but I just finished watching the video of last night’s city council meeting. Here are my notes: Keith Parker owner of a condominium in Grand Manor Condominiums on Willard Street in Lowell. October 2008, DEP discovered “gross contamination” around the entire property. There are several methods…

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