Archive for September 30th, 2010

September 30th, 2010

Angry gubernatorial candidates

by DickH

Charlie Baker has been catching some heat lately for seeming “too angry” – while I’m certainly no fan of Baker’s, expressions of anger by a candidate running for governor don’t bother me. But the Republican nominee for governor of New York, Carl Paladino, goes off the charts. Tea Party favorite Paladino is a real estate developer from Buffalo who made his millions through sweetheart development deals from local government and who has filled his building with top-dollar paying state agencies as tenants. But he hates government, at least those parts of government that don’t enrich his own bank account.

Paladino is strident in his prescription for reforming society to his liking, advocating things such as mandatory trips to prison for (law-abiding) welfare recipients so they can “learn personal hygiene” for example. But after the candidate recently revealed to the public and to his wife of many years that ten years ago he had an extramarital affair which resulted in the birth of a child, the media has asked plenty of questions about the judgment (or lack thereof) that he has exercised in his past personal life. Paladino has responded by accusing his opponent, Andrew Cuomo (the recently divorced ex-spouse of Kerry Kennedy) of marital infidelity. When a reporter from the New York Post last night asked Paladino if he had any evidence to support his accusation against Cuomo, Paladino threatened that he would “take you out” to the reporter. Here’s some video:

Next to this guy, Charlie Baker looks like the height of level-headedness.

gubernatorial

Tags:
September 30th, 2010

A Heads-Up from Lowell’s Community Teamwork (CTI)

by Marie

On the heels of a discussion at Community Teamwork’s Board of Director’s meeting last night, staff members will get some important news today. Since 1979 the headquarters of this region’s highly regarded community action agency, has been housed at 167 Dutton Street – once known as the historic Mechanics Hall. Over the years CTI has been a good neighbor in the downtown and centrally located – although parking-challenged – for the staff and clients. With over 150 staffers and administrators and many program bursting the seams of the Dutton Street location, relocation possibilities  have been on the radar screen for a while. Community Teamwork is firmly committed to being downtown and accessible – so it hasn’t been an easy issue. Now an opportunity has presented itself with the availabilty of quality space at an affordable rate in the Bon Marche Building. New techology needs, a ground floor, walk-in space for client in-take and services (Kirk Street side) plus several floors operational space make a move to Merrimack street a viable, more efficient opportunity.

CTI owns the Dutton Street building and opportunities abound for future use of that building. The Board of Directors, the City Manager and other players agreed with CTI exploring the realities of this movement and the expected positive impact.

Stay tuned for more on this proposal.

FYI: CTI has a full, part-time and seasonal staff of over 460 people with programs located at various sites in Lowell and in some towns in its catchment area. It’s annual budget disbursement is at $75 million - helping to service  thousands of clients and families annually.

For full disclosure:  I am a past President, current and long-time member of the CTI Board of Directors.

September 30th, 2010

Lowell Smokestacks conclude

by DickH

Tony Sampas wraps up his photo essay on the smokestacks of Lowell with two more views.

September 30th, 2010

Texting ban begins today

by DickH

Keep your smart phones out of sight starting today; the Commonwealth’s new ban on using electronic devices to send or receive messages while behind the wheel goes into effect today. I suspect that the police will be especially vigilant and aggressive in enforcing the law which is a “primary offense” meaning that the police don’t need any other reason to pull you over other than a reasonable suspicion that you’re violating the law. The first offense is a fine of $100 and I suspect it will bump up your insurance bill, as well.

Tags:
September 30th, 2010

Kerouac Literary Festival Today

by PaulM

Kerouac Literary Festival, Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010

3.30 pm, Listen to novelist and physicist Alan Lightman (“Einstein’s Dreams”) read from his new work. Alumni Hall, UMass Lowell, North Campus, One University Ave. Free and open to the public.

4.00 pm, See “Lowell Blues,” Henry Ferrini’s poetic film based on Kerouac’s novel “Doctor Sax” (the one about the 1936 Flood and the Grotto behind the Franco American School). Lowell Nat’l Historical Park Visitor Center,  246 Market St., downtown Lowell. Free and open to the public.

5.00-7.00 pm, Join Mike Wurm for a pub crawl downtown and bring your Kerouac book(s) to read from if you want. Walkers/crawlers meet at Old Worthen Tavern, 141 Worthen St., downtown Lowell (close to City Hall if you are coming from out of town). Free and open to the public (under-21 walkers allowed but legal restrictions apply inside establishments).

7.00 pm, Hear acclaimed author Russell Banks (“Continental Drift,” “The Reserve”) share his thoughts about Kerouac and read from his own fiction. There’s a book-signing after the talk and audience questions. UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center,  Junior Ballroom upstairs, 50 Warren St., downtown Lowell. $10 admission fee for the public. Free for students and seniors.

For the full weekend schedule of the JKLFestival, visit www.lowellcelebrateskerouac.org or www.uml.edu/artsandideas