June 25, 2007

Candidates sink their teeth in at debate

NOW THAT the 5th District Congressional candidates have had a few months to get their sea legs, it's time to reassess the field.

Campaign organizations are in place. Candidates have had time to flesh out their platforms. So let the games begin.

The Sun sponsored the campaign's first general debate at the beautiful and expansive Devens Commons. More than 320 spectators showed up Tuesday to hear the five Democrats vying to replace Marty Meehan in Congress.

Several candidates -- particularly Lowell City Councilor Eileen Donoghue and state Rep. Jamie Eldridge -- sharpened their fangs during the 90-minute debate. Let's recap the performances:

She was strong on her positions to end the war in Iraq and combat global warming, but stumbled a bit when challenged by Eldridge and Donoghue on her lack of political experience and a vote on the city's Civic Arena and Stadium Commission to approve a contract with the Lowell Devils that favors the AHL team financially and puts the city in a bind.

Instead of directly defending herself -- and the reasons behind the contract concessions -- Tsongas answered in a roundabout way.

Tsongas has spent much of her adult life in politics, but never had to play herself. She's better one-on-one than in front of a crowd at this point. And if Tuesday was any indication, her opponents are coming around to the reality that she's the one to beat.

Eileen Donoghue. Firm, confident, experienced. That was the image Donoghue tired to get across -- fairly successfully.

But did she do enough to distinguish herself as a No. 1? Not yet.

Donoghue hammered home her municipal experience in Lowell with a message that seemed to resonate with voters leaving Devens. She also showed a willingness to challenge her opponents, particularly Tsongas.

But she'll probably have to do more to appeal to Democrats across the district if she's going to win.

Jamie Eldridge. Voters know exactly what they're getting. A liberal, progressive Democrat who believes single-payer universal health care can help solve many of the district's problems. Free-trade agreements -- not NAFTA -- will save U.S. jobs. Eldridge was clear, calm and unflinching in his convictions.

Donoghue, on Tuesday, tried to tell him governing is about compromise and partnership, not just swimming against the tide and exhorting Democratic ideals while condemning those who might loosen their grip.

But Eldridge seems to be succeeding in convincing some voters that he will be a strong leader.

Barry Finegold. Also strong on Tuesday, Finegold did an excellent job of staying on message, talking about the need to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil and to return to diplomacy to end the war in Iraq quickly.

But the pro-choice Democrat was broadsided by Eldridge, who asked why Finegold had co-sponsored a bill that would restrict a woman's access to an abortion for 24 hours.

Finegold muddled the response on stage, but later said his staff had made a mistake signing his name to the bill.

The Andover Democrat was another candidate Tuesday who was impressive, but not show-stopping.

Jim Miceli. He doesn't get lost in the shadows. Miceli turned in another blustery performance at the debate, at one point telling Finegold to "shut up." But his "man-of-the-people" persona doesn't seem to be resonating, particularly with liberal Democrats turned off by his conservative bent.

If this election does hinge on the war, Miceli's we-can't-leave-now stand will hurt.

But, what do we know? The man has served in the state Legislature for 30 years. He must be doing something right.

THE FLAP over Finegold's "mistaken" endorsement of an antiabortion bill in the Legislature has grown some legs. Finegold spent the 24 hours after the debate trying to set the record straight.

It didn't work.

Emily's List, a national women's political-action committee, e-mailed supporters on Thursday criticizing Finegold and asking readers to support Tsongas.

Emily's List has endorsed Tsongas, and has her photo and a fundraising link prominently displayed on its Web site.

Finegold called the attack "patently false" and "politics as usual." He called on Tsongas to join him in condemning the e-mail.

Tsongas spokeswoman Katie Elbert said Finegold was just trying to draw Tsongas into the controversy and attention away from the real story.

She said nothing in the e-mail was factually inaccurate, and Tsongas would not call for a retraction.

The bill would create a 24-hour waiting period for women seeking an abortion and require them to receive information about alternatives. Finegold's name has appeared as a co-sponsor of a bill since 2005.

On Wednesday, he asked that his name be removed from the bill and said he wasn't sure how it got there. NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts and Planned Parenthood have rallied to his side, defending Finegold's 100 percent pro-choice voting record.

MEANWHILE, REPUBLICAN challenger Jim Ogonowski, of Dracut, last week received a lengthy profile on CNN and CNN.com, boosting his name recognition.

Ogonowski, who retired as a lieutenant colonel at the end of May after 28 years in the U.S. Air Force, is the brother of John Ogonowski, pilot of American Airlines Flight 11, the first plane to hit the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, a fact remarked upon by the CNN story.

The story also quoted an analyst from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government who noted that Ogonowski, who faces a primary challenge from fellow Republican John Tierney, has an uphill climb ahead.

Only Tsongas and Ogonowski have drawn attention from the national media. That never hurts a political cause.

On the night of the Democratic debate, Ogonowski was seen greeting more than 6,000 fans to the Lowell Spinners season-opening game.

THERE HAS been a shakeup at Lowell's Coalition for a Better Acre, a neighborhood activist group and community development corporation.

Community organizers Lindolfo Carballo and Darcie Boyer "are no longer with CBA," according to a June 13 letter from agency Executive Director Emily Weitzman Rosenbaum. Rosenbaum declined to discuss what happened, but confirmed "there have been some staffing situations."

"Unfortunately, it has caused some bad feelings," she said. "A change like this is never easy. It's important to realize that CBA, as a coalition for the community, we're bigger than individuals."

One local nonprofit director, who requested anonymity, said the move capped a power struggle that has been brewing. Rosenbaum said she plans to replace the two organizers.

Carballo declined comment last week, saying he and Boyer are working on a public statement and plan of action.

The departures incensed Diana Quiñones, former president of the CBA's board, who no longer serves on the body.

Quiñones sent an e-mail to numerous recipients last Tuesday excoriating Rosenbaum for placing "a total stop" on the agency's community-organizing activities.

"This is what you call a dictatorship if you ask me," she wrote.

Carballo and Boyer represent the agency's leftist, Hugo Chavez wing.

It has been quite a challenge for any of the CBA's recent executive directors to reconcile that protest-loving faction with the capitalists who oversee the agency's many real-estate development and management projects, which involve cooperation with private, city, state and federal funding entities, i.e. The Man.

Quiñones has been considered Carballo's champion.

Some in the nonprofit community saw her and Carballo's fingerprints on the dismissal Executive Director Richard Hersey, who was abruptly fired in February 2004 after only three months.

Rosenbaum is the fifth executive director in five years.

SAINTS MEDICAL Center announced a new name, new logo, and new (secret) strategic plan last year, but nobody mentioned that the plan didn't include CFO Tom Klessens.

A favorite of former CEO Thom Clark, Klessens resigned recently. Klessens and COO Judy Casagrande ran the hospital for about six months in 2005, after Clark stepped down to deal with his worsening ALS. (Clark passed away in December 2006.) Michael Guley, who took over as CEO in January 2006, told The Sun that Klessens "resigned and is pursuing other interests," then added that he does not discuss personnel matters, and hung up the phone.

Klessens suggested The Sun should "get that information from the hospital" when asked why he resigned. "It's unfortunate, but life goes on," he said.

Klessens politely declined to comment further, but it seemed clear that it wasn't his decision.

MEEHAN SPENT 25 minutes in the Oval Office this week with his family, wife, Ellen, and sons, Daniel and Robert, as guests of President Bush. It was a farewell visit for Meehan, who is leaving Congress after 15 years to become chancellor at UMass Lowell. Meehan said he was impressed by the Bush's intelligence and sharp memory.

"He remembered the first time we met like it was yesterday. That really floored me," said Meehan.

The encounter occurred in 2000, when former President Bill Clinton and Bush were walking down the Capitol Hill steps after the inauguration ceremony. Recounts Meehan: "I was running with Peter King (a GOP congressman from New York) and we vaulted over a barrier to get a position at the bottom of the stairs. We knew this was going to be an historic exchange of power and wanted to be there."

Meehan said Clinton and Bush emerged right in front of them, and shook hands with both of them.

"President Bush said to me, 'Marty, I'm glad you were there. You were one of the few Democrats who stayed around. That's the first time we met and I remember it well.'"

Meehan said Bush wished him well in the future, saying how great it was that Meehan will be working as an educator helping students, rather than a Washington lobbyist making a lot of money.

IT WAS shouting-room-only at the opening of Jack Kerouac's On the Road scroll last Friday at the Boott Cotton Mill Museum.

Seems that an open bar and introductory remarks don't mix.

After two scholars and an aging Beatnik were drowned out at the mike, Meehan restored order with a loud shout. UMass Lowell's Paul Marion retorted, "Is there any question we picked the right person for chancellor?"

LITTLETON TOWN officials proceeded with caution two weeks ago when Fire Chief Stephen Carter decided to buy an ambulance from a company that employs Selectman Alex McCurdy.

McCurdy, the former fire chief, removed himself from the sale, disclosed his relationship with the company to the town, and consulted the state Ethics Commission.

Carter told the Finance Committee last Tuesday that he intentionally went through the company's owner, not to "generate a conflict of interest." McCurdy said he even took it a step further and asked town counsel to write a formal opinion about the deal.

"When I ran for office I promoted the integrity of government," McCurdy said. "It would be disingenuous not to follow my own advice," he said.

The town awarded the bid to McCurdy's company on June 7, but hasn't purchased the ambulance yet.

GREATER LOWELL Tech school board member David Laferriere has told local radio that he intends to run for City Council for the eighth time this year. Laferriere did not respond to repeated calls from the Column last week.

He ran unsuccessfully in each election from 1989 to 1995 and again in 2003 and 2005. Laferriere never raises money. His electoral strategy consists largely of strapping a single hand-painted campaign sign to his van and parking it near his Belvidere neighborhood home.

At least seven sitting councilors will run, along with 10 announced challengers. Laferriere would be number 18. Prominent local political gadfly Tom Byrne is waiting to announce his run, perhaps to milk his talk-radio airtime for as long as he can.

With 19 candidates, the city would see its first preliminary election since 1995.

ONE PERSON who will not be running for City Council is "New Lowellian" Paul Schor, a 39-year-old lawyer in former School Committee member Michael Gallagher's firm. Schor lives in the city's Acre neighborhood with his wife, LZ Nunn, director of the Cultural Organization of Lowell (COOL).

NEIGHBORHOOD ACTIVIST Kristin Ross-Sitcawich, a challenger, is the first Lowell council candidate to launch a campaign Web site, www.KristinForLowell.com.

Ross-Sitcawich, an outspoken member of Lowell's political blogging community, has been a frequent poster on the site Left In Lowell where just about any whacky and unconfirmed rumor and government conspiracy gets into cyberspace.

REMEMBER THAT camping trip when you forgot the bug spray? With the air conditioning off at Billerica Town Hall, Town Manager Rocco Longo opened the unscreened windows during Monday's meeting, immediately attracting every blood-sucking pest in the Merrimack Valley to the massive light used to illuminate meetings for cable access.

Tempers boiled over during the five-hour meeting over the contentious issue of whether the town should cease municipal trash pickup at multifamily developments. But it was hard to figure out whether the loud pounding sound at any one time was coming from Chairman Michael Rosa's gavel or from a board member using a stack of paper to smack a mosquito on the desk of a neighboring selectman.

As the clock approached midnight, Selectman Kathy Matos proudly pointed out that not only was she able to remain "professionally dressed," despite the heat that had forced Selectman Robert Correnti to toss his tie and jacket, but she had also amassed an impressive body count of mosquitos, neatly piled in front of Correnti.

LOWELL SCHOOL Committee member John Leahy had not placed a motion on the previous four school-board meeting agendas, but he sure made up for it this week.

Leahy bombarded the administration with five motions requesting reports on everything from staffing at school libraries to a list of summer maintenance projects and, his pet project, a list of crosswalks that need to be painted during the summer. Razzing her colleague, committee member Regina Faticanti rolled her eyes.

"I've been working on this for a while," Leahy replied.

"I can see that," quipped Faticanti, before joyfully and officially declaring it "Pick on Mr. Leahy Day." As the reading of the fourth motion rolled around, Mayor Bill Martin questioned whether he had been referring to Leahy as "Councilor" when calling on him to explain the intent of his motions.

"Councilor is fine ... or Mayor," Leahy coyly replied.

This week's column was written by Editor Jim Campanini, City Hall reporter Michael Lafleur, Billerica reporter Jennifer Amy Myers, Assistant Lifestyles Editor Kathleen Pierce, Littleton reporter Bridget Scrimenti and Business reporter Tom Spoth.

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Posted by Admin at 11:02 AM | Comments (1)

June 18, 2007

Is former Billerica official eyeing Statehouse?

IS STATE Rep. Bill Greene trying to make a hand-off to his longtime political ally, former Billerica Selectman Ellen Day Rawlings?

It is widely speculated that the Billerica rep's eighth term will be his last. Greene has not committed either way.

Rawlings started work at the Statehouse on Monday as Greene's new aide. She replaces Greene's longtime sidekick, Tony Siraco, a Dracut resident who jumped to Lowell Rep. David Nangle's office. Siraco earned $36,750 a year.

Rawlings served four terms as selectman, leaving the board in April.

Could she be plotting a campaign for the Legislature in 2008? Rawlings laughed and said she was having a hard enough time finding her way around the Statehouse.

"Bill hasn't said anything about whether he's running again," she said.

If she does run, it would likely end up in a showdown with Selectman Jim O'Donnell. The two had no qualms about going toe-to-toe when they were both on the board.

WHO PUSHED him?

Legislators at the Statehouse jokingly asked that question when gay-marriage opponent Rep. Anthony Verga, D-Gloucester, slipped down a marble staircase the day before he was set to take a historic vote on gay marriage.

The 72-year-old was taken out on a stretcher. He's expected to make a full recovery, but he wasn't able to vote on whether a question banning gay marriage should go on the 2008 ballot.

The measure was defeated by a five votes, a change credited to intense pressure and arm-twisting by Democratic leadership.

Verga's absence wasn't the deciding vote, but it foreshadowed trouble for those who supported putting the measure on the ballot. While lawmakers were only kidding when they asked if he was tripped, one of them did say the Statehouse stairs appeared extra slippery the day of Verga's fall.

NOT TO be left out of the historic gay-marriage vote on Beacon Hill this week, Niki Tsongas was seen wandering the Statehouse in advance of the Legislature's vote.

Tsongas and Lowell City Councilor Eileen Donoghue both issued statements lauding the lawmakers' courage to block a proposed amendment to the Constitution that would have banned same-sex couples from marrying.

The other three Democratic opponents had a front-row seat.

State Reps. Barry Finegold and Jamie Eldridge both voted against the amendment. Eldridge even gave his campaign staff the day off to come to Beacon Hill and help with lobbying efforts.

Only Rep. James Miceli supported putting the gay-marriage ban on the 2008 ballot for voters to decide.

ALL THE Democratic candidates for the 5th District will get their first real test Tuesday night when they participate in a live debate at Devens Commons, beginning at 7.

The 90-minute debate will open with a question-and-answer session followed by a segment when candidates will question each other. It'll be interesting to see if Tsongas, who is leading most internal candidate polls, gets the majority of questions from rivals seeking to define themselves as experienced in the legislative process. Tsongas has never served in public office, although she was very active in all the political campaigns of her late husband, U.S. Sen. Paul Tsongas. Eldridge, Finegold and Miceli are all veteran state representatives, while Donoghue is a city councilor and two-time mayor.

Jay McQuade, the former WBZ radio and TV anchor, will be the moderator. The public is invited to attend the event.

THE LOWELL Devils had just agreed to pony up another $125,000 to play ice hockey in the Tsongas Arena next year, raising their rent to $275,000, and there was hardly a peep from the City Council last week.

Seconds later, the same councilors agreed to collect less money from UMass Lowell so its Division I hockey team can play at the arena for at least one more year.

Councilors fall over themselves to praise the deal, college hockey and UMass Lowell.

To several observers, the message is quite obvious: The arena's hockey future rests with the River Hawks, not the New Jersey-based Devils.

Both college and pro hockey have been money losers for the city. But arena staff have said the River Hawks' shorter 17-game season will allow the scheduling of more lucrative concerts and other events.

Some councilors have said the Devils will likely be gone after next season, or after the 2009-2010 season if they choose to exercise an option for a two-year lease extension by a Dec. 31 deadline.

INCOMING UMASS Lowell Chancellor Marty Meehan is wasting no time.

He's picked Mike Kuenzler, the former Lowell police officer and successful sporting-goods business owner, to lead the effort to sell 2,500 River Hawk season tickets.

Currently, there are 820 season-ticket holders.

Meehan's also asked for help from Brian Martin, the former city manager and current athletic director at Lowell High School. A true jock and Lowell booster, Martin once worked for Elkin McCallum, who used to own the Devils.

Meehan's also planning the creation of a hockey boosters organization called The Center Ice Club.

CITY COUNCILOR Edward "Bud" Caulfield is impressed.

"I know Marty Meehan isn't scheduled to take over for a couple more weeks, but already there is an energy coming from UMass Lowell that I've never felt before," said Caulfield. "It's unbelievable."

Caulfield was careful to give former chancellor William Hogan high marks as well.

It's just that Meehan is a different kind of leader.

One high-up university insider said: "Chancellor Hogan was all about the interior. Marty is going to be all about the exterior."

Or, as Caulfield put it: "That university is going be known from Maine to California and all points in between."

Meehan is depending on Hogan's counsel a couple times a week as he transitions from the halls of Congress to the halls of academia.

"He built a solid faculty. Some of the science, plastics and engineering professors I've met are pretty impressive in their fields," Meehan said. "My job is to make the connection between those university functions and economic development in the region."

THE NEWS couldn't have been better, or more timely, for Lowell Deputy Police Superintendent Dennis Cormier last week.

Cormier's been at loggerheads with the city for six months, since the city determined that his back injury wasn't suffered in the line of duty. Cops and firefighters found to be injured on duty collect full salary without having to pay local, state or federal taxes.

Cormier used accumulated sick and vacation time for six months, without working a day.

He was dangerously close to exhausting his supply until a North Andover doctor determined his injury was indeed job-related.

Cormier is back on the injured list, collecting $2,170 a week, tax free.

As Cormier's accumulated time dwindled, he asked the Lowell Superior Officers Union if other members would donate a few of their unused sick and vacation days to Cormier, which is allowable.

A notice was initially posted in the police guard room but it was defaced. Union president, Lt. Barry Golner, then sent an e-mail seeking help on Cormier's behalf and got a few takers.

IF ONE has the time and inclination to roam the fields and courts of the Merrimack Valley undercover, one will likely uncover a coach or two in contact with players during the off-season, when -- under the strictest interpretations of Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association rules -- he or she probably should be elsewhere.

The mass mailing of a DVD allegedly showing Lowell High football coach Al Pare and an assistant supervising an off-season practice in violation of MIAA rules does contain evidence of an infraction.

Far more disturbing to the LHS brass, though, is that some person dislikes Pare enough to spy on a Lowell High conditioning program.

The filmmaker remained anonymous while mailing copies of the minute-long DVD to Lowell's opponents and reportedly hand-delivering a copy to the MIAA.

Such clandestine actions suggest the person is out to get Pare, not moved by any genuine regard for the welfare of student-athletes.

The filmmaker's intention apparently was to portray Pare as a cheater, conducting top-secret off-season practices.

Pare was hired in a politically charged atmosphere as Lowell's new football coach in February.

"I talked to our TV people at the school and they said it looked professionally done," said Lowell High Headmaster William Samaras. "To make each copy probably cost $30, and there are 20 or 25 copies out there. I don't think I could hate anybody that much to spend that much money."

CITY COUNCILOR Armand Mercier made emory boards famous.

Unsuccessful City Council candidate Mike Zaim used computer mouse pads to spread his name.

This year, the award for catchy campaign gizmos goes to Mehmed Ali, one of the challengers.

Ali is distributing soft little keychains in the shape of a boxing glove.

The blue mitt declares "Vote for Ali -- He'll Fight for You."

PARTY REPORT.

Connie Martin, a candidate for a fifth consecutive term on the Lowell School Committee, gathered friends and supporters at the Whistler House last Thursday and raised about $3,500.

School board incumbent Jackie Doherty also held a campaign party at her home in the Highlands, which featured a backyard setting and soft band music.

Jim Milinazzo, a candidate for re-election to the City Council, will hold his soiree at Fortunato's on Wednesday.

The same night, just across Middle Street, Kristin Ross-Sitcawich, seeking election to the City Council again after finishing out of the money in 2005, will build support at Caffé Paradiso.

CONTINUING THE trend of maximizing the Internet to reach voters, Finegold recorded a Father's Day message with his family for YouTube to be posted online today.

The video clip coincides with his first mailing touting his support for working families and their needs.

The video features Finegold sitting with his wife, Amy, and their two daughters, Ava, 3, and Ella, 1, in front of a huge "Finegold for Congress" sign.

The setting was no "fireside chat," but Ava steals the show, fidgeting in Finegold's lap for 42 seconds before delivering the closing: "Happy Fatha's Day."

CRAMPED. THAT'S how most Westford town employees would describe their office environment.

However, the quest for more municipal space caused a small squabble at Tuesday's selectmen's meeting.

The Affordable Housing Committee told selectmen it wanted room at the Town Farm building.

But with a split 3-2 vote, the board allowed the Recreation Department to occupy the first floor.

"We were passed over a little bit," said Elaine Nickerson, chairwoman of the Affordable Housing Committee.

There's no animosity between the two departments, while the Affordable Housing Committee might still have a shot at occupying the second floor of the building once it's renovated.

This week's Column was written by Statehouse reporter Matt Murphy, Statehouse reporter Hillary Chabot, sports reporter David Pevear and Westford reporter Bridget Scrimenti.

Posted by Admin at 5:40 PM

June 11, 2007

Ouster from arena session leaves Lynch a 'little baffled'

A Sun Staff Report

A LITTLE confused.

That's how a surprised, and visibly annoyed, City Manager Bernie Lynch described himself Thursday after John Costello Jr. asked him to stay out of an impending Arena Commission executive-session discussion.

Costello, the commission chairman, said the request was "nothing personal."

"It's unusual," said a perturbed Lynch. "But I'm not going to make a big deal out of it."

"We've always done it this way," Costello said.

"Then you've always done it unusually," replied Lynch.

The city owns the Tsongas Arena. City Solicitor Christine O'Connor is the commission's legal counsel.

The city manager appoints four of the seven commissioners, with City Council approval.

Yet Lynch, O'Connor and Assistant City Manager Matthew Coggins all were asked to stay out of the body's executive-session discussion last week.

The trio did leave, taking a seat in the Tsongas Arena for about 10 minutes as the commissioners talked in a nearby function room. They returned to accept the commission's recommendation for a new deal with the UMass Lowell hockey program, which Lynch will present to city councilors for a vote on Tuesday.

"I was a little baffled," the manager said afterward. "Having me in the room shouldn't have any detrimental impact on their discussions, since the city owns the building. Clearly, the manager's presence is not prohibited in any way. If I thought it would have been detrimental to the city, I would have stayed, but I found it more odd than anything else.

"They seem to be a little confused with what their role is at this point," he added.

A week earlier, at a previous meeting, Lynch had engaged in a heated discussion with Arena Commission member Dana Skinner, UMass Lowell's athletic director, over the same UMass board of trustees' hockey recommendations that the city manager has now come to accept. Maybe that had something to do with Costello's request.

Or maybe it was that fact that under 1994 state legislation that established the Arena Commission, the city manager's role in setting board policy is limited. There is no provision outlining the manager's duties, except for his appointive role. The manager, in fact, isn't supposed to negotiate tenant contracts; that duty rests with the commission. In recent years, however, the commission has obliged that task to city managers.

COSTELLO IS one of the city manager's appointees to the commission, as are Commissioners Deborah Finch, Majorie Miller and Niki Tsongas, who is running for U.S. Congress.

They were silent when Costello asked Lynch to leave.

All but Finch are holdover appointments, meaning their terms have expired. Costello's and Tsongas' terms expired in September 2005. Miller's expired in August 2003.

Lynch could quickly change the Arena Commission's makeup if he so desired. Last week he said he has no plans to make any changes "at this time." But seeing what Lynch has done with other boards, you can bet something will happen.

UNTIL SHE moved back to the Mill City for her congressional run, Tsongas, widow of the arena's namesake, former U.S. Sen. Paul Tsongas, was actually ineligible to even serve on the Arena Commission.

The body's enabling legislation requires that all seven commission members "shall either be residents of the city or officers or employees of the university."

In recent years, Tsongas met none of the conditions but continued to serve.

An administrator with Middlesex Community College, she was living in Boston's Charlestown section for a relatively lengthy period of time before moving back to Lowell this spring.

LOTS OF chatter lately about the upcoming City Council election, and much of it revolving around Councilors George Ramirez and Eileen Donoghue and the 2005 10th-place finisher, Joe Mendonca.

Ramirez, a lawyer, has announced he will not be a candidate for re-election after serving one term. But will he serve out the term?

If Ramirez resigned early, Mendonca, who finished 1,000 votes behind the councilor, would move up to take Ramirez's seat.

It would be a leg-up for Mendonca. If there's any doubt that running as an incumbent doesn't help, just ask Councilor Kevin Broderick.

He finished 10th in 2003, but then moved up to 6th in 2005, when he ran as an incumbent after filling Rithy Uong's seat that August.

Ramirez said he'll jump early only if he gets a job with Gov. Deval Patrick's administration and if Patrick doesn't want him in elective politics.

The talk of Ramirez moving off the council should cool any notion that Donoghue would step down to devote all her energies to running for Congress.

If she did that, it would pave the way for the 2005 11th-place finisher, Michael Zaim.

Donoghue views Zaim as the handpicked candidate of then-City Manager John Cox.

Another council candidate, Mehmed Ali, said last week that when he was mulling over running, he had a conversation with Donoghue in front of the Mogan Cultural Center.

"She asked if I was running," Ali said. "I said I was unsure and she said 'Well I'm not running so you should.'"

Asked if Ali's recollection was correct, Donoghue said not quite. She did, however, say she encouraged him to run.

As for her council plans, she's declining to comment. But filing papers for the council race are due back on Aug. 7, a month before the Sept. 4 Democratic congressional primary. Will Donoghue really return her council papers at the height of the congressional campaign? And if she does, what message does that send to 5th District voters?

WHILE SOME people figure that Mendonca would cozy up to councilors who support Lynch, the candidate himself says his candidacy has little to do with the city manager and everything to do with improving Lowell's economy and school system. In a talk with Sun Editor Jim Campanini this week, Mendonca said the city must do better in attracting jobs and pushing student achievement. He was chagrined that the manager's budget reduced funding for schools even though Lowell's Statehouse delegation had worked hard to win extra money for education. Mendonca is a former Lowell School Committee member.

While Mendonca said the city is making progress in some areas, he questioned the present strategy for the Hamilton Canal district. "We should be putting commercial properties in there to create jobs and pay taxes to the city, not non-taxable properties (like the judicial center). That was never the plan," he said.

Mendonca said he and his wife will be taking a long overdue wedding anniversary trip to Alaska in July and then he'll start going door-to-door campaigning. "I'm going to work hard whether I get moved up (by Ramirez's departure) or not," he said.

SPEAKING OF trips, Councilor Edward "Bud" Caulfield and his wife, Diane, have been enjoying the lovely landscapes of bella Italia for the past 10 days. Caulfield called The Sun's newsroom from Florence earlier this week to marvel about Italy's food, museums and wine. "I can't believe how beautiful everything is. And the food," he gushed. "I must have put on five pounds." The councilor said he was especially impressed with Rome, the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel.

The Caulfields' trip was an anniversary present from their children. The couple is due back in Lowell sometime today.
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IN OTHER council developments, challenger Bob McMahon was pleased that he packed the Lowell Elks last Thursday in his campaign kickoff. The crowd, estimated at 700, was said to be the largest in years for a campaign fundraiser.

Speakers included state Sen. Steve Panagiotakos, Rep. Tom Golden and McMahon's campaign treasurer, Brendan Sousa.

Panagiotakos surely had a busy night, as his candidate in the School Committee race, Dave Conway, kicked off his campaign at the Blue Shamrock.

As expected, Conway drew a large, enthusiastic crowd, just like McMahon.

Also, Highlands resident Patricia Stratton said she's running for council, as is Curtis Freeman of South Lowell.

Stratton, who is currently unemployed, said she's concerned about the city budget. Freeman, a constable, said there should be more city programs for young people.

IS 5TH Congressional District candidate Tsongas taking a page from the playbook of 7th District U.S. Rep. Edward Markey? Markey has faced criticism for not being district-minded in terms of living arrangements, fundraising, etc.

Now comes Tsongas, who is now renting a condominium in Lowell. Last week, she had a fundraiser at a private home in Washington, D.C., that raised $25,000. A lot of old Beltway pals showed up for the event.

Tomorrow night, Tsongas and hundreds of female supporters from both in and outside the 5th District are holding a rally at the Hotel Commonwealth in Boston.

The question remains: Why isn't the event being held somewhere in the 5th District?
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A LITTLE creative name-dropping.

Donoghue sent out a slick and attractive mailer this past week, urging people to vote in the September primary.

In it, she outlined some of her many accomplishments and took steps to point out her support for a couple of key city development projects.

She was able to correctly point to her support of the LeLacheur Ball Park, but when it came time to name the city's other important sports venue, it was relegated to simply "the Arena."

Think it was an accident she forgot to include the name of the person the arena was dedicated to?

Doubtful. Betcha she balked at the thought of seeing the last name of one of her challengers capture ink in her mailer.
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OOPS! LYNCH visited his old stomping grounds Wednesday, attending the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce's legislative breakfast at the Radisson Inn in Chelmsford.

The visit -- Lynch was town manager in Chelmsford for 20 years before being hired in Lowell last summer -- apparently created some confusion.

Chamber President Jeanne Osborn introduced Lynch as "the town manager for the city of Lowell."

Moments later, Chamber board co-chairman Steve Mallette referred to Chelmsford's current town manager, Paul Cohen, as the "city manager of Chelmsford."

THE BREAKFAST featured an interesting spat between state Reps. Cory Atkins, of Concord, and Colleen Garry, of Dracut.

Atkins followed Garry, who had expressed her "concerns" about Gov. Patrick's proposed municipal relief package by polling members of the audience about whether they'd like to see higher hotel and meals taxes or bigger phone bills. (There were very few hands that went up.)

When it was her turn, the Concord resident, who represents a piece of Chelmsford, asked "how many of you are happy with the political paralysis we have that's causing our bridges to fall down and our roads to go unattended?"

She said because of the Legislature's "no new taxes pledge" dating back more than 15 years, "The public really has been robbed of an honest dialogue about what things cost and what we're going to need to contribute to have a vibrant Commonwealth."

Garry's rejoinder was to solicit another poll: How many in the room favored casino gambling?

(More hands went up than for taxes).

IF ANYONE doubted Nangle's ascending role in the Massachusetts House leadership ranks, they had better think again. On Tuesday, June 19, DiMasi has committed to being the main attraction at a daylong fundraising event for Nangle at Longmeadow Golf Club. DiMasi, who keeps a busy legislative schedule, rarely signs on to such events except for trusted allies. He'll play golf with major Nangle patrons during the day and then deliver remarks at night to all the Lowell rep's supporters who can attend. Longmeadow's beautiful veranda overlooking the closing hole is expected to be packed when Sweet Swingin' Sal -- he's a scratch player -- finishes up the round.
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THEY MAY not quite be the best of friends, but the Tewksbury Finance Committee, School Committee and Board of Selectmen appear to have buried the hatchet after several budget snafus recently left them at odds.

Representatives from the three boards reconvened after a significant lull this week as part of the Townwide Budget Subcommittee.

School Committee Chairman Keith Rauseo, who had the biggest beef with the other boards, called the meeting "gratifying."

"I think that we can start fresh ... and keep things moving in a positive way," he told fellow School Committee members last Wednesday.

But Rauseo then promptly moved to "unappoint" himself from the subcommittee, saying that he still has a problem with the "school side, town side" approach that the subcommittee is taking.

"I think that the committee will work better without me," he said, before asking longtime School Committee member and proven diplomat Scott Consaul to replace him.

Don't expect Rauseo's bluntness to vanish though. Later that night, he went on the record as saying that layoffs should be on the forefront of Tewksbury's budget cuts in the face of a $3.1 million deficit.

"It's the only way that people are going to learn that they don't get something each year just because they have been there another year," Rauseo said. "Nobody should ever get raises if there is no money for raises."

WILLIAM DOWNING could be setting the Tyngsboro School Committee up for political suicide.

This week, the School Committee member recommended overspending the school budget to hire two more teachers at the elementary school.

Downing's push is likely to be viewed by selectmen -- and even fellow School Committee members -- as sabotaging the compromise the two boards worked out this year.

The School Department was able to roll forward its budget with no layoffs, plus hire a technology director, in exchange for removing some pricey items from this spring's warrant.

Downing argues he's only doing his job -- making sure Tyngsboro children get the best education available.

But if the schools do overspend their budget, it could create tension with other departments -- especially Police and Fire -- who'll wonder why they aren't doing the same.

DRACUT'S CONTROVERSY over the likely departure of Superintendent of Schools Elaine Espindle won't go away, even though School Committee members Dennis "D.J." Deeb and Mary Gail Martin are trying hard to put it all behind.

Martin said this week she has made up her mind that Espindle's departure, in June 2008, will be in the "best interest" of Dracut's schoolchildren. "At this point, we've got to move on. We cannot continue to let the divisions being created by this issue distract us from what's most important -- a better public school system."

Martin said Espindle's letter to the committee in which the superintendent said she didn't want a contract extension was the final straw. "I was willing to keep an open mind but that letter, and her application a year ago for another job (in Peabody, which Espindle later withdrew), was enough for me."

Deeb said he credits Espindle for her accomplishments but said all is not well with the school system. He said it is time to select a new superintendent who can raise faculty morale, student test scores, and improve other deficiencies. "I've made up my mind and that's it," he said. "I'm doing my job as an elected official to protect Dracut's interest in public education. We have to look to the future."

Both made their comments in separate interviews with Campanini this past week.

AVOIDING A potential conflict of interest, Chelmsford Town Manager Cohen decided not to join Littleton's Town Administrator Search Committee.

Cohen wouldn't disclose what the conflict of interest was, but said he was simply being respectful of Litteton's search process. Littleton bylaws call for someone to be on the committee who has municipal experience, but who is not involved in local government. Cohen lives in Harvard.

"This is their second search and when I realized there could be a potential conflict of interest, I didn't want anything to disrupt their important effort of finding a town administrator," Cohen said.

Littleton Selectmen Chairman Ken Eldridge is hopeful the committee will find the right candidate, after selectman previously rejected three finalists for the job including former Westford Town Manager Glenn Fratto.

The board will vote tomorrow night on whether to appoint Paul Blazar, town administrator or "executive assistant" for Hudson, Mass. to the search committee.

This week's Column was written by Sun Editor Jim Campanini, City Editor Christopher Scott, City Hall reporter Michael Lafleur, Business Editor Dan O'Brien, Tewksbury reporter Alexandra Mayer-Hohdahl, Tyngsboro reporter Chris Camire and Littleton reporter Bridget Scrimenti.

Posted by Admin at 6:25 PM | Comments (2)

June 8, 2007

No tolerance

No tolerance
The Lowell Sun

It is unconscionable for any citizen to assault or abuse someone because of their ethnicity, religion or sexual preference. There is no excuse for such narrow-minded, illegal behavior.

The United States must set an example for the rest of the world and show that hate crimes will not be tolerated here. Regrettably, our residents sometimes do just the opposite.

Early Saturday morning, Lowell police say three men attacked a young man they believed is gay. The man was beaten so severely that his lip was left hanging from his face and had to be stitched back on. His face covered in blood and suffering extreme pain, the victim made his way to the Lowell police substation on Bridge Street to get help.

In Lowell District Court this week, the three suspects pleaded not guilty to charges including mayhem, a civil-rights violation, and assault and battery. Prosecutors requested $2,500 cash bail for each, but the judge released all three without bail, on the conditions that they report to probation and adhere to a curfew.

The three suspects, all 19 years old and from Lowell, should not have been released without bail. What kind of message does that send to the community? That hate crimes aren't considered a serious crime in Massachusetts?

Middlesex District Attorney Gerard Leone and Acting Lowell Police Superintendent Kenneth Lavallee have vowed to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. That sends the right message, and we applaud them for it.

No one should have to think twice before walking down a street for fear of an unprovoked attack. No one should be beaten because someone doesn't like the color of their skin or who they date.

Anyone suspected of spreading hatred and bigotry in this country must be arrested and prosecuted. Mindless destruction and terror cannot be allowed to spread through our communities.

The United States has always been a land of democracy, understanding and tolerance. Anyone who intentionally harms another because of ethnicity, religion or sexual preference must face the consequences of their actions.

Posted by Admin at 8:38 AM