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November 1, 2007

Six incumbents, three challengers

Lowell has experienced significant changes during the past two years. A new city manager and police superintendent were hired, finances have been stabilized, the crime rate is down and new businesses have arrived.

Thanks, in part, to City Council efforts, Lowell has grown economically and is moving ahead with significant projects that should continue to spur job development and boost city revenues.

Lowell's leaders are forging ahead with the ambitious $500 million Hamilton Canal District, new Target and Lowe's stores are scheduled to move into Lowell, neighborhood parks are being renovated, and roads are getting repaired. Subcommittee meetings are now televised, council motions are listed on the Web site and more people are getting involved with city government.

Unfortunately, there also is a widely perceived division on the council, a break that must be healed for the good of the council, the city and its residents. That division, sparked by the change in city managers, has continued for more than 15 months.

Lowell has always prided itself on its ability to pull together when times are tough, and to ignore personal and political differences when the future of the community is at stake. It is necessary now.
It is past time that all councilors put aside petty political bickering and old grudges. Lowell can move forward only if all of its leaders are looking to the future instead of wishing for the past. We think the slate of candidates we have endorsed could heal the rift and allow the new council to proceed on a united front.

With all this in mind, The Sun recommends returning Kevin Broderick, Edward "Bud" Caulfield, Rodney Elliott, William Martin, Rita Mercier and James Milinazzo to the City Council on Nov. 6. The Sun also endorses challengers Jo-Ann Keegan, David Koch, and Mike Lenzi.

Keegan sits on the Board of Health and has been a public-health nurse for 26 years. She would like to crackdown on code and health violations to improve residents' quality of life.

Koch is president of the Back Central Neighborhood Association and wants to represent every resident of Lowell. He would push for more industry and additional jobs.

Lenzi, who sits on the Greater Lowell Technical High School Committee, is a successful businessman who would like to bring his experience to the council.

Broderick, an attorney, wants to continue to move the city forward, keep government transparent, finances stable, attract more business and provide good services at the least possible cost to taxpayers.

Caulfield, who is running for his 11th term and promises to unite the new council, supports the Hamilton Canal District plan and worked hard to help last year's flood victims.

Elliott has solid financial skills, is a proponent of neighborhood preservation, supports bringing in new business, wants to help unify the council and would like to crack down on the problem of absentee landlords.

Martin, an attorney who is currently Lowell's mayor, wants to help properly develop the Hamilton Canal District project, work to keep middle-class families in Lowell, maintain open government and support reasonable, affordable contracts for employees.

Mercier is known for her strong constituent services and her work to aid flood victims. She is always willing to listen to residents' concerns.

Milinazzo has considerable development expertise, has worked to protect neighborhoods from dense developments, and hopes to continue Lowell's revitalization and focus on cleaning up city neighborhoods.

Posted by Admin at November 1, 2007 2:26 PM