Archive for June 29th, 2011

June 29th, 2011

In the Merrimack Valley: Signatures to Trigger Lantigua Recall Effort

by Marie

Essex Dam on the Merrimack River in Lawrence Massachusetts

The mayoral term of William Lantigua could be “water over the dam” if the petition for his recall is successful. The Eagle-Tribune is reporting that the citizen group collecting signatures to recall Lawrence Mayor William Lantigua is ready to start the clock ticking.

A group known as “It’s Your Right – Es tu Derocho” says it is ready to submit the necessary 100 signatures to the city to begin a recall effort of Mayor William Lantigua.

Organizers Wayne Hayes and the Rev. Edwin Rodriguez announced they will be submit an affidavit with more than the 100 signatures required by the city’s charter to the City Clerk tomorrow at 2 p.m.

According to a press release, the reasons cited for the recall are the mayor’s “reckless disregard for law enforcement,” failing to “carry out his duties as chief executive officer,” his failure to hire a finance director for the city, and the ongoing multi-jurisdictional investigation into criminal allegations against Lantigua.

Read the full article here at eagletribune.com.

CategoryPolitics | Comment3 Comments »

June 29th, 2011

Pawtucket Dam Issue Continues to be a “Hot Topic”

by Marie

The recent rather positive statement from FERC – the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission – about ENEL’s $6 million proposed bladder dam project for the Pawtucket Dam was detailed in a Lowell Sun story by Jen Myers followed by a soft “let everyone sit down and talk” editorial. The letter has brought a more vigorous reaction from the concerned neighbors and Bob Gagnon, Chairman of the Lowell Flood Owners Group.

As I noted to Jen, this FERC letter is not the last word. There is still time for more public comment and input to FERC – the deadline is July 10. Expect other governemental entities to present a different picture to FERC. The reality is the is that the folks who oppose the change expect a long process most likely involving lawyers before this is over.

Just a few notes about the Pawtucket Dam issues – as food for thought:

*Lowell was settled and became America’s first industrial city because of the Pawtucket Falls.
*The Falls are in the protected boundaries of the Lowell National Historical Park.
*The Pawtucket Falls and adjacent buildings are on the National Register in a National Historic Landmark District within a National Park.
*The National Trust for Historic Preservation, Preservation Massachusetts and the State Preservation Officer are on record as agreeing with the National Park opposition.
*The city of Lowell and the towns of Chelmsford and Tyngsboro agree with opposing this project.
*The Director of the National Park has asserted that energy projects don’t get a pass on complying with historic preservation laws – the law authorizing the LNHP prohibits projects that would have an adverse effect on the park’s historic resources.
*The US Department of the Interior’s Regional Solicitor as filed a Notice of Intervention as standing for a lawsuit.

The historic resources in Lowell – natural and manmade – are important. As I’ve noted – this is far from over. You as an individual, a concerned citizen as well as organizations can still voice your views.

CategoryCulture, Current Events, History, Lowell, Politics | Comment4 Comments »

June 29th, 2011

Lowell Streets and Roadwork Continues

by Marie

Travelers around the city find many streets and roads under some kind of work order or reconstruction. Some work is related to water department projects – others to upgrading of streets in tough condition. And then there’s the bridge work. Over on the City Manager’s blog here, there’s an explanation along with a list of streets scheduled for work in 2011-2012. There will be a reward for travelers at the end of all this construction! As a “regular” on these streets and roads, I appreciate what’s already been accomplished and am looking forward to the solutions for those “cobblestoned” intersections.

CategoryLowell | Comment1 Comment »

June 29th, 2011

Lowell Hospital Chief Looks for Some Intervention

by Marie

The state’s Division of Health Care Finance & Policy (DHCFP) is holding a series of presentations, speeches and panel discussions this week in regards to health care cost trends reports and cost containment efforts. Globe staff writer Liz Kowalczyk covered yesterday’s healthcare costs hearing and is reporting that some hospital chiefs see a need for government intervention with price controls on the healthcare market. While the Partners HealthCare CEO disagreed, Lowell General Hospital CEO Norm Deschene and others noted:

Norman Deschene, president of Lowell General Hospital, said his hospital is losing doctors because they can see a patient and make “$100 today with Lowell General’’ and then sign on with a better-paid competitor and make “$150 tomorrow for the same work.’’

“Some government intervention needs to take place,’’ he said.

Ellen Zane, chief executive of Tufts Medical Center, and James Roosevelt — chief executive of Tufts Health Plan, the only insurance company executive on the panel — also said they favor temporary price controls. Lowell General, MetroWest, and Tufts Medical Center are lower-paid providers, or they fall in the middle, depending on the insurer paying them.

Read the full article here at Boston.com.

CategoryHistory, Lowell, Politics | CommentNo Comments »

June 29th, 2011

‘Jimmy Allen at the Library of Congress’

by PaulM

Last week, one day around suppertime I was walking our family’s Boston Terrier on the South Common and I had what I can only describe as a sense memory. The strong sun, bright sky, dry air, grass underfoot, and voices bouncing through the park made me think that the evening was perfect for a softball game, reminding me of the many games I’ve played. Here’s a poem I wrote in 1987 that evokes the culture of men’s  softball teams. The poem later appeared in the anthology “For a Living: The Poetry of Work” (University of Illinois Press) and is included in my collection of Lowell writings, “What Is the City?”—PM

.

Jimmy Allen at the Library of Congress

.

The folklore researchers, all Ph.D’s,

dropped by to collect softball behavior,

part of the Lowell Folklife Project.

Dr. Tom began shooting in the hot, low sun

back-lighting trees at Parker Field;

Dr. Doug and Dr. Dave taped the chatter:

“C’mon now, be a hitter! Dig in. Take a look.

Make the pitcher work. Good eye. Drive that ball!”

After the win, Dr. Tom set up a team portrait,

then everyone drove to the Civic Club

for a feast of popcorn, pizza, and beer.

Somebody kept yelling a cousin curse;

Dr. Tom made a note of the term.

Bird informed the bar regulars

that the folklore guys were “Congressmen,

right from the Library of Congress!”

Next, Bird and Dr. Dave sang “O Canada”

while Dr. Tom took another team photo,

sort of a “before and wasted” situation.

That’s when we called it a night.

Months later, Dr. Doug gave a lecture with slides

on Capitol Hill for the erudite, including

Smithsonian scholars and National Geographic Society.

He showed a Greek priest, Cambodian dancers,

kids on skateboards, a wine-maker,

and suddenly Jimmy Allen was on the mound

in his crimson Burgess Construction jersey,

as big as he’d want to be on screen,

throwing a strike for American folklife.

.

Paul Marion (c) 1989, 2006

CategoryCulture, History, Lowell, Poetry | CommentNo Comments »

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June 29th, 2011

Maureen’s ‘I Love NY’ . . . & Its Gov.

by PaulM

In today’s NYTimes, opinion writer Maureen Dowd smooches Gov. Andrew Cuomo big-time for what he did. Read her column here, and get the NYT if you want more.

CategoryCulture, History, Lowell | CommentNo Comments »

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