After cancelling meetings because of Halloween and the City Election, the City Council resumed its regular meeting schedule last Tuesday which also saw the debut of a new format for the meeting agenda. The biggest change was that City Council motions were bumped up to near the start of the…
Bone in the Throat (March 2021) By Paul Marion Web photo courtesy of CNBC . The vast container ship Ever Given from Malaysia, Bound for the Netherlands, stuck like a bone in the Throat of the Suez Canal, reminded me of dozens or A hundred random trailer trucks wedged under…
Here is today’s Substack email. There was no City Council meeting this week. The Council cancelled it because it fell on Election Day. Speaking of which, here are the results of the 2023 Lowell Municipal Election: CITY COUNCIL At Large (top three win) Erik Gitschier – 3,837 Rita Mercier – 3,723…
“Your business is ours” (PIP #7) By Louise Peloquin Here’s what Louis-A. Biron has to say about advertising. ********* L’Etoile’s mission is serving Lowell’s French-Canadian community. Therefore, presenting businesses which can knowledgeably cater to its needs and wishes is a priority. We want to offer readers information to facilitate daily…
There was no City Council meeting Tuesday night because of Halloween, so today’s newsletter is devoted to the City Election which is this coming Tuesday. First, the candidates: CITY COUNCIL At Large (three with most votes win) Rita Mercier (incumbent At Large) Vesna Nuon (incumbent At Large) Corey Belanger Erik…
At Tuesday’s Lowell City Council meeting, there was an extended discussion of efforts the city is making (or not making) to promote the upcoming November 7, 2023, municipal election. The discussion was prompted by a Councilor Wayne Jenness motion that requested the City Manager “have the proper department promote early…
The Lowell City Council’s 18 month battle over Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) came to an end on Tuesday night when the Council rejected the proposed ordinance by a seven to four vote. This was a surprising reversal since from the beginning there had been a solid seven vote majority in…
Every day a star is born (PIP #5) By Louise Peloquin “A little star dust caught”, posted on October 17th, conjures up Louis Biron’s routine. He continues… **** Lives are full of repetitive acts. The most simple, like hugging a grandchild, reading a favorite author or having breakfast, give us the…
The following was distributed earlier today as my weekly Substack newsletter on Lowell politics. If you’d like to receive this weekly update by email in the future, sign up here. **** In the opening pages of his 2012 book, The Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a…
Legends of Little Canada: Aunt Rose, Harvey’s Bookland, and My Captain Jack Book by Charlie Gargiulo Review by Richard Howe I first encountered Charlie Gargiulo nearly 40 years ago, not in person but by reputation. Back then, Joe Tully was the Lowell City Manager and the City Council allowed him…