Les Bernal of Lawrence is a familiar name in certain political circles of the Merrimack Valley. These days he is the national director of Stop Predatory Gambling, a nonprofit organization opposed to casinos and state lotteries. In today’s New York Times, he takes on the topic of sports betting. Here is his…
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Geoff Foster of UTEC, who’s coordinating the local effort to lower the voting age in Lowell’s city election to 17 years old, sent the following update on the bill’s progress: On January 16, 2014, under the leadership of Senator Eileen Donoghue, the Massachusetts State Senate voted 30-7 to add the…
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OK, so every time I mention this to someone, he/she thinks I’m crazy…but, what the heck, I going to say it again. I find Netflix’s release of its video “Mitt” showing a more human side of Mitt Romney to be conveniently timed. Timed with what? Why Bridgegate, of course…the presidential…
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Interesting Tweet from the U.S. House of Representatives document collection – of course there’s a Lowell connection. I guess that Member of Congress and former Civil War General – never a favorite with cartoonist and illustrators – didn’t need a box – he seems to be wearing skates! U.S. House HistoryVerified account@USHouseHistory Jan 21…
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To remind us that fifty-three years ago today – John Fitzgerald Kennedy – a son of Massachusetts became the 35th President of the United States ~ a repost from the archive posted last year: History, Politics January 20, 1961 ~ John Fitzgerald Kennedy Presidential Inauguration January 20, 2013 Marie 1 Comment Edit…
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Who will be the next city manager of Lowell was the big issue this week as it will continue to be for weeks to come. At least four names are swirling about: Kevin Murphy, Eileen Donoghue, Tom Golden and George Ramirez. Because we’re at the “maneuvering behind the scenes” stage…
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The entry below is being cross posted from Marjorie Arons-Barron’s own blog. Four Americans dead in Benghazi, Libya, on 9/11/12, and they didn’t have to be. Yesterday’s Senate Intelligence Committee Report makes it pretty clear: the tragedy at Benghazi could have been avoided. For months, Ambassador Chris Stevens had been requesting additional…
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An excerpt from Cotton Was King in a chapter written by historian Mary H. Blewett, longtime professor at now-UMass Lowell: ” . . . The movement for the adoption of Plan E [city manager-council government] was headed by Harvard-educated Yankee lawyer Woodbury F. Howard. City government under Plan E would…
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The entry below is being cross posted from Marjorie Arons-Barron’s on blog. If Chris Christie runs for president, do we agree that “I’ll get the country moving again” won’t be his campaign slogan? But such a campaign, if it ever happens, is a political lifetime away. A more immediate concern…
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The week began with the inaugural ceremonies for the city council and the school committee. Rodney Elliott was elected mayor unanimously. Tuesday brought the new council’s first regular meeting although much of the agenda was set back in December when three consecutive meetings were missed due to a snowstorm, Christmas…
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