September 28, 2007
College-cost struggles
Article Last Updated: 09/28/2007 11:56:52 AM EDT
College students and their parents yesterday scored a major victory against overwhelming debt and unfair student-loan practices, but -- make no mistake -- the battle must continue.
President Bush signed legislation designed to make college more affordable for poor and middle-class students. The president had some concerns with the legislation, but knew it had veto-proof majorities in Congress.
The legislation increases the maximum Pell grant from $4,310 a year to $5,400 a year by 2012. It also reduces the interest rates on federally backed student loans from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent over the next four years. These measures will result in significant, and much-needed, savings for students and their families.
It also includes increased flexibility on college-loan payments for military personnel on active duty. Public-service workers, such as nurses, firefighters and police officers, will receive loan forgiveness after 10 years of service and loan payments. This will allow students to consider lower-paying fields despite having to finance their post-secondary education.
This is all very positive news, but the battle against overwhelming student debt must continue, as the House is now considering legislation to protect students against shady marketing practices in the student-loan business.
Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Massachusetts, has successfully steered the measure through the Senate after releasing an alarming report on the student-loan industry. The report showed that some lending institutions provided donations, services and other benefits to colleges in exchange for preferential treatment in regard to student loans. In some cases, students and parents were getting financial aid advice that was biased and not to their benefit.
This far-too-common practice is unconscionable and must be stopped. Financial aid officers should be offering struggling parents and students the best deal possible for their families, not for universities and lending institutions.
We applaud the progress made thus far in the battle against staggering college costs, and urge the House to support the higher-education bill that will further assist low- and middle-income students and their families.
Posted by Admin at 4:13 PM
Backtalk 09/28/2007
TRUE HERO: It was great to see an outpouring of support for Kelly Page. He was a hero in every sense of the word. May God be with his family in this very difficult time.
Chelmsford
BEST APPLICANTS: About the Lowell superintendent of schools' hiring people from outside the area: I give her credit. Obviously, she's hiring people who are most qualified. Just because they work in the system doesn't mean they're capable of running a school.
Lowell
TWO QUESTIONS: I am hoping when The Sun interviews City Council candidates, two questions are asked: How would they have voted on former City Manager John Cox; and how would they have voted on extending current City Manager Bernie Lynch's contract? This would tell me who truly is for Lowell, and who has his own political agenda.
Lowell
COSTLY CHANGES: First, we lost our Christmas tree removal, then we lost leaf pickup, then our town manager came up with a plan for an ambulance service that will benefit only the firefighters. Now he wants to charge us for trash removal. And he thinks an override will pass? Maybe if he moved to Chelmsford he wouldn't think these are such grand ideas.
Chelmsford
FLAGPOLE FAN: In regard to the flagpole in Fox Hill Cemetery: My son was recently buried in the same section. I have no problem with the flagpole -- it's done very tastefully. If you look at other sites, a lot are very tacky and messy. At least it's a good, American symbol that is kept neat looking. I support this.
Billerica
FEWER GUNS: About the drop in Massachusetts gun sales: That is good; we don't need anymore guns on the streets. All they want is to make money. Reduce crime, don't add more crime.
Lowell
THOUGHTFUL STRANGER: A sincere, thank you very much to the person who found my check on Progress Avenue in Tyngsboro last Friday, and took the time and effort to drive out to Dunstable and put it in my mailbox.
Dunstable
GOOD PUBLIC RELATIONS: The LRTA personnel are very kind and patient people. As a newcomer to this area who has never had to ride a bus or train before, I've called them several times to ask questions and they are very nice about it.
Lowell
BackTalk is an anonymous call-in line for readers to voice opinions on local, state and national issues. Personal attacks will not be published.
Posted by Admin at 4:02 PM | Comments (1)
September 27, 2007
Consistency required
Have no doubt -- the controversy about allowing a political fundraiser to be held at Lowell Memorial Auditorium is not over. The 3-1 vote taken this week by trustees to allow one, and only one, such fundraiser is precedent-setting and, at some point, will be challenged.
And how can trustees fairly deny the next request for a political fundraiser after allowing Niki Tsongas' congressional campaign to hold just such an event featuring former President Bill Clinton?
If, for example, Republican congressional candidate Jim Ogonowski gets Rudy Giuliani to speak at a fundraiser, shouldn't the trustees allow it to be held at the Auditorium? It would be inconsistent -- and possibly viewed by some as partisan -- to reject an Ogonowski request after approving the one from Tsongas.
The Board of Trustees has had an unwritten policy banning political fundraising at the municipal auditorium. Historically, such requests have always been rejected. Until now.
Even former U.S. Rep. -- now UMass Lowell Chancellor -- Marty Meehan was denied when he sought to hold a 50th birthday party and fundraiser at the auditorium last year.
We recognize that the building is a memorial to veterans; however, we can't see the harm in holding a political event in the building when the World Wrestling Federation is allowed to perform there. Certainly, having the former commander in chief speak at the auditorium brings greater honor to the building and to veterans than orchestrated wrestling matches.
Trustee William Taupier made a point of saying his concern has nothing to do with the Tsongas campaign or with Clinton as a speaker. It is about fundraising.
We can understand trustees' concerns about money being raised to support political candidates. Some of those candidates may not support causes or stances that are near and dear to veterans' hearts.
However, with permission having been granted to the Tsongas campaign, the trustees' long-held unwritten policy is no more. It is simply not fair to say this will be the only political fundraiser ever held in the auditorium.
The Board of Trustees should decide such requests on a case-by-case basis, always keeping in mind the dignity of the city and the respect and honor owed to its veterans.
Posted by Admin at 3:13 PM
Backtalk 09/27/2007
NO JOKE: Those who think the state will benefit from casinos are kidding themselves. Do you think that the "much-needed revenue" is going to be helpful to you? That money will fund new government bureaucracies, more patronage jobs, and ever-fattening pensions and benefits. Please wake up.
Dracut
KIDS ARE LAST?: About the lack of security at Chelmsford High School versus the administration building: In Chelmsford, school administration takes care of itself first, teachers second and kids last. Remember this when they ask for an override.
Chelmsford
HELP OTHERS: Regarding the divinity student's letter banning "In God We Trust" on money: By keeping the motto, it is a good reminder that we need to share our bounty with those of need. We are "to give alms" and our money should keep us mindful of our humane duties, regardless of religious preference.
Groton
FOLLOW RULES: I have had my parents at Fox Hill Cemetery for many years. I cannot place anything there permanently. They will remove it. This woman should abide by the rules. If she wins, anyone can put anything on the graves. That would be a disaster. The place has been very well kept, until now.
Billerica
STOP TRASH PICKING: Lately my neighborhood has been swarming with trash pickers. It is getting out of control. They come at all hours of the night with their loud trucks. Sometimes they take all of my trash bags. Why is it acceptable for someone to look through my trash? Who is going to put a stop to it?
Lowell
GREAT EFFORT: Kudos to the Center for Weight Management and Bariatric Surgery (Lowell General Hospital) and everyone who came out to do the Walk from Obesity last Saturday. It was nice to see the community get so involved in such a worthy cause. Community is what it's all about!
Pelham, N.H.
RISKY PRACTICE: Traveling south on Route 3 through Nashua, I had to brake quickly when a state trooper standing in the middle of the road was stopping speeders in the fast lane. I almost got rear-ended. Crossing into Massachusetts, another state trooper was stopping speeders on the left side, creating a dangerous situation. Must someone get killed before this practice stops?
Westford
BackTalk is an anonymous call-in line for readers to voice opinions on local, state and national issues. Personal attacks will not be published.
Posted by Admin at 3:11 PM
September 26, 2007
Setting an example
The Lowell Sun
Article Last Updated: 09/25/2007 11:56:11 AM EDT
Although she did not receive her $5,000 bonus this year, Lowell Superintendent of Schools Karla Brooks Baehr did achieve three of the five challenging goals set for her and, equally important, set a tone of accountability for those whom she supervises.
Baehr controls a $138 million budget and supervises 2,152 full-time employees. She has enormous responsibilities and makes decisions that impact thousands of students, teachers and staff.
In years past, perhaps in light of her significant duties, the $5,000 performance bonus was treated more as an entitlement than a true bonus. There were no clear-cut goals that had to be achieved, no specific accountability measures in place.
We were pleased to see that in her recent evaluation, the superintendent was required to meet five express objectives that were set jointly by Baehr and the School Committee. The goals included implementing a short- and long-term maintenance and capital plan; formulating a fiscally sound budget for fiscal 2008; and increasing the percentage of limited English-proficiency students in the "transitioning" stage that are deemed "probable" to move beyond being considered LEP or out of the category entirely. Baehr met those goals.
The objectives she did not substantially meet included: increasing promotion percentage, attendance rate and reading proficiency at the Freshman Academy, and increasing the reading scores for students in grades three to eight who are reading substantially below grade level. Baehr made progress in both of those categories, but not enough to get the bonus. She did receive a pay raise of 4 percent for her largely positive performance evaluation.
We applaud Baehr and the School Committee for placing real accountability measures into her contract and hope it is inspires the committee to push for similar standards in the department's union contracts.
Although she is at the top of the organizational chart, Baehr shouldn't be the only employee held accountable for the department's successes and failures. Every administrator, teacher and staff member should have measurable objectives and should be reviewed with those goals in mind. Why should every member of the same union receive the same pay increase? Shouldn't those who meet or exceed expectations receive greater increases than those who failed to achieve predetermined objectives?
A pilot program started last year in Denver is already seeing rewards. The teachers' union there is working with officials to make sure incentive pay and bonuses, given in addition to standard salary increases, are parceled out fairly. New teachers are required to participate and, seeing a chance for additional pay, nearly half of the system's veteran educators have also signed on. That's a good sign.
We think Lowell should consider instituting a similar program. Baehr's performance objectives could be considered a stepping stone in the path toward increased accountability for all School Department employees.
Posted by Admin at 12:15 PM
Backtalk 09/26/2007
USE THE ARENA: As a veteran, I object to the Lowell Memorial Auditorium being used for political purposes when Bill Clinton visits. If it were a Republican who was coming in, I'm quite sure all our Democratic leaders would be up in arms. Let them use the Tsongas Arena, like anyone else would have to.
Lowell
USE AUDITORIUM: What's the big deal about letting President Clinton speak at Lowell Memorial Auditorium? I think the city should rent it out whenever possible. It's a public building.
Lowell
TOUGH SENTENCE: Those individuals who stole the bird and then got into a fatal accident with the motorcyclist should be put away for the rest of their lives. There is no excuse, and there should be no leniency. I feel badly for the family of the man who was killed.
Dracut
PRUDENT DECISION: Thank you to the Shirley selectmen for their concise and logical vote to table the vote regarding the train station. They are more logical than the selectmen in Ayer and will at least look at the regional picture, and not
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just for their town. Having it in the downtown area will only create traffic and chaos. Why not go regional? That makes more sense.
Shirley
About the teacher raises in Tyngsboro: They are actually higher than the article made it appear. They did away with many steps in their contract that automatically gave them additional increases over the percentage reported in The Sun article. There was no way the teachers' union would absorb the town's health-care contribution changes without these hidden increases.
Tyngsboro
REMEMBER HOLIDAYS: As a Chelmsford Pop Warner parent, it's disgusting that they had cheerleading practices on the Jewish High Holidays. They've done it many times in the past, and someone should do something about it.
Chelmsford
DISAPPOINTING: As an enthusiastic soccer fan, I was saddened at the varsity game between Westford Academy and Tyngsboro, and to hear a comment from a Westford player, "Let's not get down to their level." We are the new kids on the block in Tyngsboro, and you do outnumber us in Westford, but I believe we gave you a respectable and challenging game.
Tyngsboro
BOYCOTT: About the article on the couple with twins who work for Holden Health Care: I would not have any further dealings if I were an individual, resident or business in Lowell, because of what they did to that family.
No town given
BackTalk is an anonymous call-in line for readers to voice opinions on local, state and national issues. Personal attacks will not be published.
Posted by Admin at 12:08 PM
September 25, 2007
Backtalk 09/25/2007
PRIVATIZE FIRE SERVICE: If there are not enough fires to keep a fire department busy, then any committee set up to review the ambulance service must also look at the option of privatizing the fire department.
Chelmsford
CUT FROM TOP: They're talking about cutting into the MBTA's retirement fund. I hope they're also going to do that to the senators, state employees and the governor. Why don't they give back some of the big raises they received?
Tewksbury
FOLLOW RULES: Since when does an American have the right to put up a flagpole on another's property? If you didn't think it was against the rules, why put it up on a weekend? Anything erected, including stones, has to go through the cemetery department.
Billerica
DOESN'T FIT: A 20-foot flagpole does not belong at a grave site. The cemetery has rules that have to be followed by all. If this flagpole is allowed, then others will follow and the place will look like an eyesore. I think it's common sense that it shouldn't be there. How many other cemeteries
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do you see that have a 20-foot flagpole in place?
Billerica
LOW-PAYING JOBS: Casinos in Massachusetts will not bring more jobs. When you go to Foxwoods, your tickets are automated, you get your own change and no one offers you a drink. The only jobs will be for housekeepers and security guards.
No town given
CONSIDER THIS: In the 1864 national election, Democrats wanted to end the war, and Republicans wanted to persevere. Where would America be today if the people hadn't voted the way they did? Think about that come election time.
Dracut
RETAIN HEADMASTER: As a lifelong resident of Lowell who has taught in the Lowell schools for over 20 years, it saddens me to see what the Lowell superintendent has done to the morale of our schools and employees. I hope Lowell High Headmaster Bill Samaras is still working when school opens next fall.
Lowell
STUDENTS ON STRIKE: Tyngsboro High School students have to pay $250 to park at school. That's not fair because the townspeople are already paying taxes and passed an override for the schools. The students should strike.
Tyngsboro
COYOTE ALERT: Pet owners should watch out for coyotes. Another cat was killed recently in the School Street area of Chelmsford. We will miss you, Gracie.
Chelmsford
BackTalk is an anonymous call-in line for readers to voice opinions on local, state and national issues. Personal attacks will not be published.
Posted by Admin at 12:20 PM
September 24, 2007
Governor's comments made a valid point
The Lowell Sun
Article Last Updated: 09/23/2007 06:37:23 AM EDT
Gov. Deval Patrick drew harsh criticism from Sun editors for comments he made during the recent 9/11 memorial observance. However, it seems to require considerable rhetorical gymnastics to construe the governor's remarks as trivialization of the event or as an attack on the victims.
The offending statement? "Because among many other things, 9/11 was a failure of human understanding. It was a mean and nasty and bitter attack on the United States. But it was also about the failure of human beings to understand each other, and to learn to love each other. And it seems to me that that lesson and that warning is something that we must carry with us everyday."
There is certainly a more straightforward understanding of the governor's words: Violence in general, and the 9/11 terrorist attacks in particular, reflects a basic lack of human understanding and love. People who take the time to understand each other and love each other do not intentionally harm one another.
The point is not whether bin Laden or the 9/11 terrorists had some superficial understanding of American culture; it is whether they -- or any of us -- truly has a deeper understanding of our common humanity. It is clear that the terrorists lacked this deep understanding, otherwise it would have been impossible for them to carry out the attacks. Yet only through such deep understanding, which is itself indistinguishable from love, can we each do our part to prevent atrocities like 9/11 from happening over and over again.
It is essential that we acknowledge the evil of 9/11 and the suffering of the victims, their families, and indeed the nation as a whole. But in order for any of us to truly heal we must also be able to take the larger lesson to heart: In order to end the cycles of violence we must call upon our own capacity for deep love and deep understanding. As we try to move forward from the trauma and tragedy that was 9/11, we must never lose our compassion for any of our fellow human beings, no matter how difficult this may seem.
TIMOTHY LITTLE
Lowell
Posted by Admin at 11:15 AM | Comments (1)
Worth considering
Residents have waited, and waited, and waited for repairs to the Tyngsboro Bridge that will allow it to reopen and to safely connect the parts of the community divided by the Merrimack River.
The dilapidated bridge is slated to reopen in October 2011, at the earliest. Motorists and pedestrians currently use a temporary bridge scheduled to be taken down once work on the Tyngsboro Bridge is completed.
Knowing the traffic backup that occurs on and around the bridge during rush hours and weekends, the Board of Selectmen are wise to consider asking the state if the temporary bridge can remain standing for use by emergency vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.
Project manager Michael O'Dowd has cautioned selectmen that the request to the commissioner of MassHighway must represent overwhelming support or it will not be considered. Also, it could spark a delay in repairing the permanent bridge because some redesign work would be required. However, he was uncertain as to how much of a delay.
Considering the traffic congestion that often clogs the span, we believe selectmen are being prudent by investigating the possibility of maintaining both bridges. It can be difficult for emergency vehicles to make their way across during peak traffic hours. If the temporary bridge remains available for that use, emergency personnel will never have to worry about being caught in traffic, losing precious minutes that should be spent aiding a patient.
We certainly hope that pushing to retain both bridges won't significantly delay the project. Naturally, some approaches would have to be redesigned for pedestrian and motor-vehicle access, but that shouldn't require substantial changes or a lengthy delay.
If retaining the second bridge would result in an extended delay, selectmen shouldn't pursue that course. Otherwise, we think keeping both bridges available for use is an idea worthy of strong consideration.
Posted by Admin at 11:13 AM
City's awaits Lynch's pick for police chief
BERNIE LYNCH, Lowell's city manager, will announce this week
what will be the most significant appointment of his tenure thus far, police
superintendent.
After interviewing several candidates, Lynch will appoint Kenneth Lavallee,
52, who has held the acting superintendent job since Edward Davis became Boston's
police commissioner last Dec. 1.
Lynch isn't commenting, but take it to the bank, he's been impressed with Lavallee's
work ethic, particularly the acting chief's efforts on crime prevention.
Lavallee sent command staff into the neighborhoods regularly to learn what
residents are worried about, and to spot troubling trends. The result is that
this summer was one of the quietest in terms of gang violence.
The acting chief has won accolades from city councilors -- even those who had
been Police Department critics.
Neighborhood activists and department rank-and-file are happy as well.
Lynch and Lavallee also have worked out a three-year contract, with a provision
that Lavallee may return to deputy superintendent should the top job not work
out. The superintendent position no longer has Civil Service protection, but
the deputy position does. Alternately, Lavallee sought a five-year deal without
the fallback clause.
Lynch planned to announce his selection last week, but delayed it due to the
death of firefighter Kelly Page.
THE FIRST campaign event of the 2007 City Council election
has been scheduled.
The Pawtucketville Citizens Council is holding a candidates night at the Wang
School on Monday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m.
THE BATTLE of the senators and the scribes is set. On Saturday
at 3 p.m. at Martin Field in Lowell, Steve Panagiotakos' Senators will take
on Jim Campanini's Sunstars in a charity softball game. The public is invited.
There is no charge, but donations will be accepted. The teams have ponied up
$4,000 to benefit Big Brother/Big Sister of Greater Lowell, Merrimack Valley
Hospice in the name of Paul Sullivan, and the Sun Santa Fund.
The Senators feature an eclectic collection: Lowell's Statehouse delegation,
School Committee and City Council members and candidates. The Sunstars, managed
by Chairman of the Board Kendall Wallace, will feature the anonymous professional
journalists who toil as public watchdogs.
Surveillance cameras are banned from both dugouts.
CASINO OPPONENT Susan Tucker, a state senator who represents
Tewksbury and Dracut, tangled with a panelist during a forum the morning after
Gov. Deval Patrick's announcement to bring casinos to the Bay State.
Tucker, her voice strained with emotion, went on about the dangers of gambling
addiction during the question-and-answer portion. She was not part of the panel.
"This is a product designed to do people harm," Tucker said.
Rev. Richard McGowan, who studies gaming and government at Boston University,
dismissed some of Tucker's numbers as "ridiculous."
"Stop talking," yelled Tucker's aide, Les Bernal, who was sitting
in the audience. He then demanded McGowan provide proof to back up his statements.
McGowan continued to talk, and Bernal interrupted again.
"This from the guy who compared gambling addiction to buying diamonds.
It's absurd," Bernal said, referring to a statement McGowan made earlier
in the discussion.
"WHAT RENAISSANCE?"
That headline in The Boston Sunday Globe two weeks ago was enough to suck the
wind out Lowell officials who have labored to turn around the city's image.
The article suggested that Lowell is no longer a national model for reinventing
old manufacturing cities, because LeLacheur Park and the Tsongas Arena cost
big bucks but didn't deliver.
The principal source was UMass Lowell Professor Robert Forrant, of the department
of Regional Economic and Social Development.
"I don't mind that he said what he said," UMass Lowell Chancellor
Marty Meehan mused this week. "I just wish he had told us he was going
to say it."
The private conversation between the professor and the new chancellor may not
have been as politically correct. (See Forrant's column on Page B1.)
AL PARE, Lowell High's football coach, and Dracut High football
coach Patrick Murphy, have apparently made peace off the field.
Murphy was selected as the first choice for the Lowell job by Headmaster William
Samaras and Athletic Director Brian Martin. But Murphy unexpectedly withdrew,
landing the job on Pare's lap. Speculation then was that Pare supporters, through
anonymous letters and phone calls, scared Murphy off.
Murphy and Pare recently broke bread, and agreed to "move on," according
to a memo from Lowell Superintendent of Schools Karla Brooks Baehr to School
Committee members. Murphy is apparently satisfied that Pare had nothing to do
with the effort. So who was? Dracut cops are mum. The Column has been told by
sources it was a Dracut parent.
THE ANNUAL dinner meeting of the Northern Middlesex Council
of Governments on Wednesday marks the farewell of Robert Flynn, who retires
Nov. 1 after 24 years as executive director. He will be replaced by Beverly
Woods, who has been with NMCOG for 24 years, 19 as assistant executive director.
NMCOG's forte makes some people drowsy: traffic and pedestrian
studies, economic development, growth management. But to its nine member towns
it's important stuff that can affect the quality of life.
The Column wishes Flynn a happy and healthy retirement, and Woods good luck.
Dinner starts at 6 p.m. at Lenzi's in Dracut.
Contributing to The Column this week were City Editor Christopher Scott; City
Hall reporter Michael Lafleur; Statehouse Bureau Chief Hillary Chabot; Statehouse
reporter Matt Murphy; and Lowell School reporter Jennifer Myers.
Posted by Admin at 11:07 AM
September 21, 2007
Backtalk 09/21/2007
NO TO CASINOS: At first when I read about the state billing me 5 cents a mile to use interstates, I almost blew a gasket. Then Deval Patrick comes out backing casinos being built here, with them offering new revenue sources. They are trying to scare taxpayers into supporting something that goes against common sense. Don't be fooled.
Dracut
PATRICK FAN: Is Gov. Deval Patrick doing such a wonderful job that his detractors need to make up reasons to criticize him? The Sun's editorial about Deval Patrick's statement on 9/11 was mean and delusional. It was also a failure to understand simple English grammar.
Lowell
EASY DECISION: Let's see now, the residents will gain thousands of jobs, the state will gain hundreds of millions of dollars, and thousands of people won't have to drive to Foxwoods. A true no-brainer. Congratulations to Gov. Patrick. It is about time for casinos in Massachusetts.
Billerica
NO SUBTERFUGE: Bill Belichick was not fined for cheating but for violating an NFL rule by using a video camera on the sidelines after being told not to. If the same cameraman had been in the stands, there would have been no problem. He obviously wasn't trying to hide anything since the camera was in plain view. Maybe he just wanted everyone to know that there was a rat in the stadium.
Tewksbury
VOTE FOR TSONGAS: I am voting for Niki Tsongas. I like her stances on the issues and think she'll be able to get things done for the 5th District.
Dracut
SUPPORT OGONOWSKI: Is there no wonder why people are fed up with politicians? It is always the same political families getting elected. In the end, nothing changes. This upcoming election is an opportunity to vote for someone new. I'm voting for Jim Ogonowski.
Lowell
SCHOOL SECURITY?: I was stunned when I was able to enter Chelmsford High School without having to be buzzed in or even stopped by any adult. I can't get into the school administration building that easily.
Chelmsford
DISHEARTENED: The morale on the Tewksbury Police Department is so poor it could not field 15 current and former police officers to represent the department in a golf match against the fire department. There is a need for change in the administration.
Tewksbury
BackTalk is an anonymous call-in line for readers to voice opinions on local, state and national issues. Personal attacks will not be published.
Posted by Admin at 12:00 PM
September 20, 2007
A call to the average Massachusetts citizen
We must do better with our national politics, and it is up to each one of us to do his part to improve things.
Do we want the best politics that money can buy, or do we want the best policies in the interest of the common man?
If it's money, leave the job to the lobbyists, they have plenty. If it is for our interests, we must work for it.
Are we satisfied with listening to sound bites to get our information, or do we have the perseverance to dig deeply and evaluate the policies the candidates are promoting? If it is only sound bites, stop reading here. If it is substance you seek, then search it out.
I have been pleasantly surprised with the wise policies and depth of conviction of Independent congressional candidate Patrick Murphy. You can find much more on his Web site, but I will try to summarize how I interpret a few key items from his proposals.
In improving education, we must consider the total environment of learning -- educators, classrooms, health and family support. Federal government support would be best applied in early childhood.
He recognizes the perils of the proposals to "save" Social Security, and how the current funding for it most harshly affects low- and middle-income workers, and he proposes a solution that remedies these ills.
He has a well-thought-out approach to restructuring the health-care system to incrementally provide universal coverage, while achieving the cost savings through a well-managed single-payer system.
In reference to the most critical issue facing our nation, he postulates that the ultimate solution to the problem must come from within Iraq, and he defines a wise strategy to accomplish that -- neither "cut and run" nor "stay the course." He also calls for a "shared sacrifice," wherein all citizens must share the responsibility for the solution, and in doing so, force Congress to assert its constitutional responsibility with regard to this, or any future wars.
I encourage everyone to take a serious look at this unique candidate. Then do your part to spread his message, and the average citizens of the 5th District might just start a needed revolution of the politics of this country.
JOSEPH SMITH
Lowell
Posted by Admin at 12:36 PM
Consider reforms
Critics didn't waste much time before pounding away at many of the recommendations highlighted in the transportation finance report released Monday -- and rightfully so in some instances -- but there are several reforms listed that would serve this state well.
The report recommended an 11.5-cent hike in the state gas tax and a new 5-cent-per-mile highway "user fee." Those are two suggestions we simply cannot support at this time.
However, the report also proposes the state:
* Eliminate paid police details on road and bridge construction projects, replacing them with less-expensive civilian flagmen.
* Scale back the MBTA's pension plan which gives employees full pension benefits, including free health insurance, after 23 years of service.
* Study the privatization of some roads and bridges.
Frankly, we can't say enough about the recommendation to do away with paid police details. Massachusetts is the only state in the union that offers this very costly option for police officers. We know the state's strong police unions have fought off every attempt to eliminate paid details, but it is ridiculous that the Bay State continues to waste money on them.
Why is it that civilian flagmen are perfectly able to direct traffic around road and bridge construction in 49 other states, but not in Massachusetts? Aren't there any Bay State politicians courageous enough to take on an issue that would save voters millions of dollars? Police unions will argue that construction companies and other businesses fund most of their detail pay, but make no mistake, that money comes out of residents' pockets via higher prices.
MBTA unions have been equally vigilant in their fight against pension changes, even though the agency has raised fares just to keep afloat. By allowing employees full pension benefits after 23 years, many MBTA workers can retire in their 40s and 50s, potentially collecting costly benefits for another 40 or 50 years. We just can't afford this.
These types of public-sector giveaways have to stop before the state should even consider looking at increasing taxes. Once we know how much can be saved, only then should higher taxes be considered.
Posted by Admin at 12:34 PM | Comments (1)
Backtalk 09/20/2007
REAL GENTLEMAN: I had the pleasure of working with firefighter Kelly Page. He was a true southern gentleman. My prayers go out to his family.
Lowell
GREAT LOSS: The city of Lowell has lost one of its greatest firefighters. I worked with Kelly Page for the last two years, and he will be missed. Our condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.
Chelmsford
WHERE'S THE MONEY?: I want to know where my gas and excise tax dollars have gone all these years? The roads and bridges should have been fixed. We had a democratic House and Senate for years. Where is the money?
Westford
THE 'O' WORD: In Saturday's Sun, it said Chelmsford voters have not been asked to consider an override since 1992. There were three override proposals for school-property enhancement in 2003 and 2004. The first two, for more than $100 million and $80 million, were defeated; the third for $31 million passed.
Chelmsford
Editor's note: Those proposals were for debt exemptions, not overrides.
TAPPED OUT: About the override in Chelmsford: With a deficit of $1 million, where are they going to get the money to fund the ambulance service? I'm a senior citizen on a fixed income. How much more do they want to take from us?
Chelmsford
SPLIT RATE: Instead of getting into an override in Chelmsford, why don't the selectmen get into the classification where businesses would pay a different tax differential so they would pay their fair share and the residents wouldn't have to have an override?
Chelmsford
GOOD DECISION: Congratulations to City Manager Bernie Lynch on his contract extension, which was well deserved. Six votes for him, as well as the city and taxpayers; three votes against.
Lowell
PUNISHMENTS: I applaud Dracut High School's new principal for beefing up discipline. I used to teach at that school and quit -- without notice -- because of the administration's failure to back up my attempts at discipline. Kids need discipline, and it looks like this new principal is going to do it.
Dracut
LET IT GO: About the Patriots: The media are making a mountain out of a molehill. Other teams have been doing it for years -- they just got caught. Move on.
Westford
NEW COACH NEEDED: The Red Sox should get a new coach. Francona doesn't know what he's doing. He's lost 14 to 15 games so far by letting the first and second men get on and no bunt.
No town given
BackTalk is an anonymous call-in line for readers to voice opinions on local, state and national issues. Personal attacks will not be published.
Posted by Admin at 12:17 PM
September 19, 2007
Backtalk 09/19/2007
Backtalk
The Lowell Sun
Article Last Updated: 09/19/2007 11:31:39 AM EDT
GOOD JOB: I am very proud of Selectmen Phil Eliopoulos, Clare Jeannotte and Pat Wojtas. They made the right decision last week by pushing for more information on the ambulance proposal. They should be commended.
Chelmsford
NONE OF OUR BUSINESS: Chelmsford has a very valuable asset in their firefighters. The Sun ought to keep out of our arguments and let the townspeople speak for themselves.
Chelmsford
WHY LAPTOPS?: About the laptops that were stolen from Tewksbury High School: Why are they buying laptops for a high school? They are more expensive than traditional computers. What do they need them for? If they're using them at school, why do they have to be portable?
Tewksbury
HARSH REALITY: Every bit of newspaper coverage to honor and remember Paul Sullivan has been wonderful. Paul's column left blank the other day was really stunning. It really brought the reality home.
Lowell
THANK YOU, PAUL: I was saddened to hear about Paul Sullivan. He was a great guy. Thank you to him for supporting the Lowell School custodians years ago. We're still here thanks to him.
Lowell
A KIND HEART: Paul Sullivan lived in our neighborhood during our adolescent years. He was a friend to our son who had a learning disability. Many young folks couldn't be bothered with him, but Paul did. Our son passed away suddenly in 1979, and we still remember what kind of person Paul was. Thank you, Paul.
No town given
MORE TO COME?: The Patriots have been caught. I'm willing to bet there are many other teams doing the same thing. Let's hope they also get caught.
Westford
INTERESTING IDEA: Now that the Patriots have admitted they are guilty, they are being fined and are losing draft picks. On an up note, I suppose we could save some face by changing our name and logo, and then we can join the other two cats that are in the franchise with the NFL -- the Jaguars, Panthers, and now, the "Cheetahs."
Lowell
JUST CURIOUS: The Patriots were not cheating, they were just trying to figure out what the Jets were doing wrong on defense that would cause such a blowout in the first quarter.
Lowell
COMPETITION WANTED: Verizon, when are you coming to Pepperell with your cable so we won't be held hostage any longer by Charter Communications?
Pepperell
BackTalk is an anonymous call-in line for readers to voice opinions on local, state and national issues. Personal attacks will not be published.
Posted by Admin at 11:43 AM
Backtalk 09/18/2007
NEVER POPULAR: When Democrats refer to Iraq as an "unpopular war" isn't that an oxymoron? When is a war popular? We shouldn't be playing politics with a dire fact of life. Read the history books and see what happens to the weak. Are we next?
Groton
NO TOLERANCE: The Sun editorial of Saturday, Sept. 15, "NFL has unfairly tainted Patriots" implies that it is OK for the Patriots to cheat because other NFL teams have done the same. The Sun is sending the wrong message. The supposition that "other NFL violators were left off the hook" does not excuse dishonesty. Young people need role models that convey uncompromised integrity. The Sun should rethink its position and advocate zero tolerance for such behavior.
Tyngsboro
A SAD LOSS: Kelly Page, we will miss you. You were truly a family guy and someone who would do anything asked of you. I know we will miss you and your great southern sense of humor. Your "brothers" will indeed take care of Kate and the girls, don't worry.
Westford
THINKING OF PAUL: I never met Paul Sullivan, but I was always grateful to him for taking time on his radio show to say some nice words about my late husband who passed away from lung cancer in 1998. I only wish I could have heard those words, but I was attending my husband's funeral while Paul's show was on. But the many people who came up to me after to tell me what Paul had said lifted my heart. Please know that my thoughts are with Paul's wife and family at this time of great sorrow.
Dotty McGarry, Dracut
GOOD DECISION: I'm happy to see that the majority of the City Council approved the extension of City Manager Lynch's contract. He's doing a terrific job. Unfortunately, however, the vote wasn't unanimous, as it should have been. Unfortunately, we still have a small group of nay-sayers on the City Council.
Lowell
CONSIDER TEWKSBURY: If Lowell doesn't want Bernie Lynch anymore, maybe Tewksbury should take him. He'd straighten out the budget problem for us.
Tewksbury
ON TARGET: I loved Dennis Whitton's article about Holliston and Tyngsboro in the football program. I agree with him that Tyngsboro is going to need some help this year coming into the DCL.
Westford
TICKET THEM: I wish the Billerica police would ticket all the illegally parked cars on Station Street. They'd make a fortune.
Billerica
BackTalk is an anonymous call-in line for readers to voice opinions on local, state and national issues. Personal attacks will not be published.
Posted by Admin at 9:12 AM
September 18, 2007
Casinos 'fun' or 'one big mess'?
By Rita Savard, rsavard@lowellsun.com
Article Launched: 09/18/2007 11:37:36 AM EDT
Stemn
Thinking about it makes Dot LaPlante's fingers twitch.
The whir and ringing of slot machines. The occasional Elvis impersonator. And just a 40-minute drive from home?
"It's so much fun," quips the 62-year-old Billerica resident. "I could sit in front of a slot machine for hours."
If legislators are ready to roll with Gov. Deval Patrick's plan, LaPlante can count herself lucky with not one, but three resort-style casinos going up in different parts of the state -- in the western, southeastern and metropolitan Boston areas. Patrick is betting on the casinos to create thousands of jobs and pump millions in revenue back into the state's cash-strapped communities.
But the plan is already drawing a mixed bag of responses,
Badessa
with opponents fearing that gambling for state funds means selling out on morals.
"It's setting the state up for one big mess," said Lowell resident Gregory Stemn. "Casinos will open more doors for addiction and crime. Casinos will bring a whole lot of unwanted elements to the areas they're in, Fadel they will encourage young people to throw their money away, and the crime rate will go up."
"Who will benefit from this?" asks Stanislav Nekrash of Lowell. "Not the people who are already poor. No. It will make things much worse for them. Human beings will always try to reach prosperity in the easiest way. The poorest will gravitate toward them. ... The poorest lose more money, and the richer benefit from it."
Sipping an iced coffee outside a convenience store in Chelmsford Center,
Miller
Dick Johnson points to the storefront.
"See that?" he says. "Right there. That's a casino. It's naive for people to think that scratch tickets aren't more harmful to the poorest people than casinos. You need more money than a few dollars to go to a casino."
Blackjack. Roulette. Craps.
Let it roll, says Chris Badessa, adding that Massachusetts has been losing "hundreds of millions" in tax dollars to Connecticut and Rhode Island for years.
"Everybody I know is already going
Fernandez
down to Connecticut to gamble," Badessa says. "It's fun, and it will definitely bring in a lot of money for Massachusetts."
Mary Fadel believes there must be some other way to help cash-strapped towns than "destroying the state's image."
"It's a way of making money, but it preys on people's weaknesses," Fadel says. "I don't think it's how we should fund the things we need."
"There are enough casinos already," said Heidi Miller of Groton. "I'd rather see other things built to bring in money, like shopping centers."
Andrew Fernandez of Pepperell says the casinos will lure more businesses and tourists into Massachusetts.
While some believe casinos will turn people into compulsive gamblers, Shayna Ross of Charlestown says that's not the casinos' fault. "If you're a compulsive gambler, you're going to go anywhere you can to spend your money anyway. I guess people just need more self-control."
Whichever way the chips fall on Patrick's proposal, LaPlante says she's not giving up her lifestyle for anybody -- whether it means driving to Boston, Connecticut or Canada.
"The slot machines keep my arms in shape," she laughs.
Tell us what you think of Casinos in MA?
Posted by Admin at 3:50 PM | Comments (2)
September 17, 2007
Councilors: A divided council? No way!
ANYONE WHO thought City Councilors Edward "Bud" Caulfield, Armand Mercier and Rita Mercier were peeved at the council majority that ousted former City Manager John Cox last April must have been sorely mistaken.
 |
Bernie Lynch |
Caulfield and the Merciers were particularly keen to show they have not been a thorn in the side of Lynch, who was hired a year ago. Caulfield counted unanimous support for the new manager's recommendation in 139 of 142 roll-call votes so far.
"The notion or perception this is a 6-3 council is a fallacy," he said.
Rita Mercier, the No. 1 vote-getter in the past two city elections, said she has supported Lynch's proposals at "a greater ratio than with my husband."
Most council votes are perfunctory. That's where Caulfield and the Merciers usually side with Lynch. On the controversial matters, however, they don't always see it Lynch's way.
The council majority is hanging its hat on Lynch's so-called popularity as it seeks re-election. That's why they pushed for a vote on the manager's contract extension, to separate the Hatfield from the McCoys so to speak.
But Caulfield and the Merciers don't want to be perceived as Lynch opponents, even if they did vote against the extension for their own reasons. (Caulfield opposes Lynch's 10 percent annuity, saying the manager is getting 80 percent of his salary at retirement, so why does he need more? The Merciers don't think any manager should get a contract on principle.)
So maybe that's why all three went out of their way to say they would give the manager a "vote of confidence." It's pure politics on both sides.
Posted by Admin at 12:53 PM
September 14, 2007
City Council Election
The 2007 Lowell City council candidates list is now complete with 21 applicants. With a new election party happening every week one can easily become overwhelmed with what candidate(s) to support. Below is a list of the candidates which will be on the ballot on November 6th. Let us know what city council candidate you support and the reason why your going to vote for him or her.
Visit the official City of Lowell website for more information on registering and voting.
http://www.lowellma.gov/depts/electioncensus/faq/?searchterm=election
2007 City Council Candidates
• Mehmed Ali
• Kevin Broderick (Incumbent)
• Edward "Bud" Caulfield (Incumbent)
• Rodney Elliott (Incumbent)
• Alan Kazanjian
• Joann Keegan
• David Koch
• David Laferriere
• Curtis Lemay
• Michael Lenzi
• Edward Mackness
• William Martin (Incumbent)
• Robert "Bob" McMahon
• Joseph Mendonca (Incumbent)
• Armand Mercier (Incumbent)
• Rita Mercier (Incumbent)
• James Milinazzo (Incumbent)
• Darius Mitchell
• Kristin Ross-Sitcavich
• Patricia Stratton
• Louis Stylos
Posted by Admin at 11:39 AM
September 13, 2007
BackTalk Entry 09/13/07
SHOCKING: After all these families and U.S. citizens have gone through since 9/11, I think it is a disgrace that this seems to have turned political. There is a time and a placefor politics and politicians have no shame.
Chelmsford
Posted by Admin at 2:23 PM
September 12, 2007
BackTalk 09/12/07
Backtalk
The Lowell Sun
Article Last Updated: 09/18/2007 11:31:45 AM EDT
NEVER POPULAR: When Democrats refer to Iraq as an "unpopular war" isn't that an oxymoron? When is a war popular? We shouldn't be playing politics with a dire fact of life. Read the history books and see what happens to the weak. Are we next?
Groton
NO TOLERANCE: The Sun editorial of Saturday, Sept. 15, "NFL has unfairly tainted Patriots" implies that it is OK for the Patriots to cheat because other NFL teams have done the same. The Sun is sending the wrong message. The supposition that "other NFL violators were left off the hook" does not excuse dishonesty. Young people need role models that convey uncompromised integrity. The Sun should rethink its position and advocate zero tolerance for such behavior.
Tyngsboro
A SAD LOSS: Kelly Page, we will miss you. You were truly a family guy and someone who would do anything asked of you. I know we will miss you and your great southern sense of humor. Your "brothers" will indeed take care of Kate and the girls, don't worry.
Westford
THINKING OF PAUL: I never met Paul Sullivan, but I was always grateful to him for taking time on his radio show to say some nice words about my late husband who passed away from lung cancer in 1998. I only wish I could have heard those words, but I was attending my husband's funeral while Paul's show was on. But the many people who came up to me after to tell me what Paul had said lifted my heart. Please know that my thoughts are with Paul's wife and family at this time of great sorrow.
Dotty McGarry, Dracut
GOOD DECISION: I'm happy to see that the majority of the City Council approved the extension of City Manager Lynch's contract. He's doing a terrific job. Unfortunately, however, the vote wasn't unanimous, as it should have been. Unfortunately, we still have a small group of nay-sayers on the City Council.
Lowell
CONSIDER TEWKSBURY: If Lowell doesn't want Bernie Lynch anymore, maybe Tewksbury should take him. He'd straighten out the budget problem for us.
Tewksbury
ON TARGET: I loved Dennis Whitton's article about Holliston and Tyngsboro in the football program. I agree with him that Tyngsboro is going to need some help this year coming into the DCL.
Westford
TICKET THEM: I wish the Billerica police would ticket all the illegally parked cars on Station Street. They'd make a fortune.
Billerica
BackTalk is an anonymous call-in line for readers to voice opinions on local, state and national issues. Personal attacks will not be published.
Posted by Admin at 12:59 PM
September 11, 2007
BackTalk Entry 9/9/07
BOYCOTTING: We have two people running on name only with no political experience. This will be the first election that I won't vote in because neither candidate should be there.
No town given
Posted by Admin at 3:54 PM | Comments (2)
September 10, 2007
Miceli optimistic up to the last minute
STATE REP. James Miceli has been called a lot of things
during his 16 terms in office, but a quitter he is not.
The Wilmington Democrat took stubbornness to a new level during the past
five months, embracing the underdog's role in the 5th Congressional District
primary until the very end.
Miceli's attempt to reach Capitol Hill began in mid-March, when former U.S.
Rep. Marty Meehan was tapped to be the next UMass Lowell chancellor. By April's
end, Miceli was already considered a marginal candidate in the five-candidate
Democratic field, despite his vociferous arguments to the contrary. He told
The Column at the time that "you can bet your mortgage" that he was in the
race to win it.
"We're going to put on one hell of a campaign, I tell you," he added.
Months went by and the 30-year Beacon Hill veteran lagged behind his four
rivals, in the sizes of their staffs, the number of press releases sent out
and campaign donations.
By the time the final campaign-finance reports were disclosed in late August,
Miceli had accumulated only $19,042 in contributions, although he had stated
in March that he was shooting for $350,000 to $500,000. Front-runner and eventual
winner Niki Tsongas, by comparison, had raised $1.6 million.
But Miceli was still vowing to surprise everyone.
"I'm in this thing to win," he told us two days before the primary. "I've
got ... the best track record of all the candidates."
The unavoidable thumping came and went on election day, with Miceli coming
in last in 25 out of the 29 communities in the 5th District. He did carry
Tewksbury -- one of his district's two towns -- while placing third in Billerica
and snagging fourth place in Dracut and Methuen.
That left him with only 3,296 votes, or about 16,500 behind Tsongas.
But Miceli was hardly demoralized. A half hour after Lowell City Councilor
Eileen Donoghue, the second-place finisher, conceded to Tsongas, Miceli was
still suggesting that he might be on his way to Capitol Hill.
When a Sun reporter handed him results from Billerica and Chelmsford, Miceli
relished the fact that he had beaten state Rep. Barry Finegold in Billerica
and that his percentage of votes was likely to come in higher than the polls
had predicted.
It took Miceli another 17 hours or so to give Tsongas a call to personally
congratulate her on her win -- hours after a Democratic unity rally in Lowell
from which he was conspicuously absent.
State Democratic Party Chairman John Walsh during the rally said Miceli had
called him and "pledged his support" to Tsongas.
Miceli's final view on the campaign? He was still the candidate with the
most experience and the best message.
"If I just had $350,000 to $500,000, I could have won it," he said.
THAT SIGH of relief heard across the district Wednesday
morning was from the Tsongas campaign, whose well-financed political machine
nearly was knocked off the rails by Donoghue.
In the contest's waning days, the councilor's campaign resembled a hard-charging
locomotive.
A month ago, most polls had Donoghue behind by 20 points or more.
Then, on the Friday before last Tuesday's primary, a WBZ-TV polls showed
that Donoghue had closed the gap to about 11 points.
On election day, she finished five points behind Tsongas, 36 to 31 percent.
Donoghue must be wishing she had another week or two to continue her momentum.
Furthermore, plenty of Donoghue's supporters are saying today that it's unfortunate
her campaign was a slow-starter compared to Tsongas'. The only unelected candidate
in the race seemingly flicked a switch and her machine was off and running.
On the flip side, there are those who say another two weeks would not have
mattered.
Campaigns time their strategies to the date of the election. Donoghue waited
until a week before the election to air her first television ad, and didn't
turn up the heat on Tsongas until the Aug. 16 debate in Haverhill.
Knowing full well the primary was on for Sept. 4, maybe she should've hit
the gas sooner.
STILL, TSONGAS deserves a lot of credit for running a top-notch,
positive campaign even when she was clearly the target of her rivals. As one
observer put it, it takes drive and determination to sustain a front-running
campaign. Tsongas, he said, kept her focus -- and dignity -- in doing what
she had to do to hold off the challengers.
Remember, Tsongas was going up against three state representatives and a
two-term mayor with more than 58 years of combined experience in the political
arena. She had none as an elected official. Also, the Middlesex Community
College dean had to buck two influential state senators who had backed Donoghue,
Lowell's Steve Panagiotakos and Methuen's Steve Baddour. While The Niki Machine
lost Lowell and Methuen, it showed remarkable broad-based support in the senatorial
districts, and even surprised Donoghue supporters by winning Lawrence and
Haverhill, the latter a key Baddour stronghold.
While the Tsongas name attracted attention, the late U.S. senator's widow
still had to deliver the goods during a grinding, 25-debate-wearying campaign.
ONE OF the major failings of Donoghue's campaign was her
inability to raise money, especially early.
As of Aug. 15, she had been outraised by every Democratic rival except Miceli,
forcing her to pump $490,000 of her own money into the campaign to stay competitive
(she eventually surpassed state Rep. Jamie Eldridge in fundraising).
On the stump, Donoghue said she was forced to use her own money because interests
outside the 5th District were trying to buy the election. While Tsongas relied
heavily on out-of-state contributions to build her $1.5 million war chest,
she also racked up more donors in district than Donoghue, according to a review
of campaign-finance records.
Donoghue finished with about 632 donors within the 5th District, accounting
for 76 percent of her donor list. Tsongas roped in contributions from 750
in district supporters, though that only amounted to about 15 percent of her
Rolodex. She had about 2,400 Massachusetts contributors and about 1,600 out-of-state
donors.
Even with her own money, Donoghue came up just shy of $1 million by the primary
election.
STRENGTH IN dollars won't be the only thing Republican Jim
Ogonowski will have to contend with as he starts his showdown with Tsongas.
The Cook Report, an independent, nonpartisan newsletter that examines federal
elections came out this week with its assessment of the Massachusetts 5th
District race.
"To say Ogonowski faces an uphill battle may be an understatement," the report
reads.
The Cook Report gives this district a Democratic power ranking of "3D+11."
Translation: Solid Democrat.
To put that in perspective, there is not one Republican in Congress that
currently represents a district as solidly Democratic as MA-05.
The Cook Report says despite Ogonowski's compelling story, "his viability
remains a stretch."
In the end, though, its all up to the voters.
BOSTON RADIO talk-show host Jay Severin usually stays out
of local politics, choosing instead to focus on national issues. But Ogonowski
has captured his imagination.
The Dracut farmer and retired U.S. Air Force officer spoke briefly by phone
on Severin's afternoon show, which is broadcast on WTKK 96.9 FM, the day after
he trounced his opponent Thomas Tierney in Tuesday's primary.
"You folks in the 5th District are very lucky," Severin said after Ogonowski
hung up. "Here is someone honest, sincere, and grounded in the fundamental
values of working families. Is this a guy you're ever going to hear about
screwing around, lying, cheating or comporting himself in a way that will
bring shame to his family? I think not. Like Jefferson, who put down the plow
to go to Washington, guys like Jim are the kind of guys that I want representing
me in government."
Of Tsongas, Severin said: "Probably a very nice lady who is a liberal Democrat
who wants to go to Washington to figure how much of our money needs to be
taken from us and given to someone else, how much weaker we can make our nation,
how much bigger our government needs to be and how guilty I need to feel because
I'm white and the oppressor."
Of course, you can probably tell from his comments that Severin is not a
big booster of the Democratic Party.
DONOGHUE WAS first elected to Lowell's City Council in 1995.
She's already announced that is not a candidate for re-election this year.
The question being asked today is whether her political career is over.
Maybe not.
Her solid showing against Tsongas was grist for the rumor mill in a couple
of areas.
If she had the desire, she could mount a sticker campaign for council in
November's election and likely capture a seat. Those close to Donoghue say
a sticker campaign is highly unlikely. But make no mistake about it: There
will be folks trying to get her to run.
Donoghue also could run for state rep against Dave Nangle in November 2008.
Fueling some of that speculation is that Nangle was one of several local pols
who overlooked both Lowell candidates and supported Finegold, of Andover,
in the Democratic primary.
But it won't be easy. Rita Mercier and present Mayor Bill Martin tangled
with Nangle for the open rep's seat in 1999 and were soundly defeated.
JOINING NANGLE in supporting Finegold was his political
friend, former City Manager John Cox, and state Rep. Thomas Golden.
Judging from the Lowell results, however, Cox and company did little to push
Finegold ahead in Lowell. Finegold snared 513 votes, finishing third in the
Mill City behind Donoghue and Tsongas.
But it seems big-name endorsements could be called into question all over
the district.
As previously mentioned, Baddour was unable to deliver Haverhill to Donoghue,
as Donoghue finished nearly 400 votes behind Tsongas there. Also working for
Donoghue in Haverhill was Baddour's political pal, former Methuen state Sen.
James Jajuga, the recently appointed head of the chamber of commerce in that
region.
And in Methuen, Baddour's hometown, Donoghue only beat Tsongas by about 250
votes. She needed a much wider margin.
The Spanish-speaking Donoghue also was unable to carry Lawrence, where she
had the support of that city's state rep, William Lantigua, as she finished
nearly 500 votes behind Tsongas.
Donoghue not only needed to carry Lowell big, which she did, but she also
needed the district's other big cities to overcome Tsongas' mass appeal in
the suburbs.
DONOGHUE MIGHT have missed out on an endorsement from Cox,
but she got a thumbs up from Cox buddy and Beacon Hill heavyweight House Speaker
Sal DiMasi.
The day after the election, a sunglasses-sporting DiMasi marveled at the
councilor's ability to get out the vote. Polls before the election placed
Donoghue at 29 percent, eleven points behind Tsongas. She turned out 31 percent,
and was only 5 points behind.
"She did a great job," said DiMasi.
THE CLOBBERING Donoghue gave Tsongas in Lowell, 5,439 to
2,889, for a difference of 2,559 votes, is being viewed as good news by the
city councilors who, like Donoghue, are strong followers of City Manager Bernie
Lynch. Those councilors -- Kevin Broderick, Rodney Elliott, Martin and James
Milinazzo -- want to give Lynch a two-year extension before November's city
election and 11 months before the manager's contract expires.
All those councilors declared their support for Donoghue early in the campaign.
Former Councilor Dan Tenczar, a local attorney and Donoghue supporter, was
emphatic during Donoghue's bittersweet campaign party last Tuesday that their
critics should take heed.
"If anybody's doubting her and the progressive five, they're sadly mistaken,"
Tenczar said.
Councilors Edward "Bud" Caulfield and Rita Mercier declared their support
for Tsongas late in the campaign. Councilor Armand Mercier never said who
he was supporting, although most believe it was Tsongas.
Others, however, don't see Donoghue's vote total in the congressional race
as extraordinary. In fact, they see it as a disappointing result. They point
to the 2005 city election, where Donoghue finished 900 votes behind Rita Mercier
with 7,195 votes, when the turnout was about 22 percent as compared to last
Tuesday's 19 percent.
The difference between 7,195 Lowell votes and 5,439 is striking. But, even
if Donoghue received the 1,700-vote difference in the 5th District race, she
sill wouldn't have overcome Tsongas' 2,400-vote margin.
By the way, the City Council's personnel subcommittee, chaired by Caulfield,
will discuss Lynch's contract extension tomorrow at 6 p.m. before giving the
full council a recommendation during its meeting Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
THE FROSTY relations between City Manager Bernie Lynch and
Lowell's Statehouse delegation apparently haven't thawed. In fact, they are
probably frostier, following Lynch's decision to name Trinity Financial of
Boston as the master developer for the Hamilton Canal District project. It's
not so much the company that was named, but that the Statehouse delegation
-- Panagiotakos, Kevin Murphy, Nangle and Tom Golden -- weren't given a chance
to give their input on a project which they have won $1.5 million in state
grants over the years. That's what Murphy and Nangle said.
Although invited to a city-sponsored event Thursday in which Trinity representatives
were introduced to various business, civic and political leaders. Panagiotakos,
Murphy, Nangle and Golden declined to attend.
The senator, according to sources, is particularly upset that he didn't get
a courtesy call from the city once the master developer had been named. Panagiotakos
wanted the chance to break the news to former Massachusetts Senate President
Robert Travaglini, who is now a lobbyist and was representing a client who
had been in the running for the Hamilton Canal District job.
"It's just good relations to give Travaglini a call because he was very good
to Lowell in his time as Senate president," said Murphy. "The senator, I believe,
just wanted to explain things to him and keep smooth relations going. In this
business, you never know when Lowell might need a helping hand from anyone,
whether inside or outside Beacon Hill. But the senator wasn't given the chance
and he feels badly for Lowell."
Another observer was more blunt: "Lynch could do a better job with his communication
skills," he said.
VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT or forced out?
When it comes to Lowell High School Headmaster William Samaras, School Committee
member Regina Faticanti believes it's the latter.
During last week's School Committee meeting, Superintendent of Schools Karla
Brooks Baehr announced that Samaras is retiring at the end of the current
school year.
Faticanti, the only committee member to speak up, charged Baehr was forcing
the popular principal out the door.
"That's what's happening, and I'm not happy about it," said Faticanti.
Faticanti said Samaras, 65, isn't perfect. But he does more than a solid
job managing the 3,700-student school. Plus, all Samaras wanted was to work
one additional year beyond the current year to finish off a few projects.
Faticanti's remarks at the meeting drew no response from Baehr or from any
of her committee colleagues.
The Column called Baehr on Friday for a comment. She declined.
Contributing to The Column this week were Editor Jim Campanini, City Editor
Christopher Scott, Statehouse Bureau Chief Hillary Chabot, Statehouse reporter
Matt Murphy, City Hall reporter Michael Lafleur, and Tewksbury/Wilmington
reporter Alexandra Mayer-Hohdahl and Dracut reporter Dennis Shaughnessey.
