I was visited by a number of candidates for Lowell city council this weekend. Some I allowed to put signs in my yard and some I did not. I'm not being a hard ass but I care about who will represents me and the 106.000 residents of this city.
I appreciated all of the folks that took out papers to run because it takes guts and hard work to run a campaign. Some candidates have come to the door and introduced themselves and made small talk and some have come with literature and asked what issues I was interested in.
Campaigning is not for the faint of heart, it takes support from your family and friends and the most hardest thing for me was asking for money. It takes a enormous amount of time to do it right to get your message out.
Every Candidate must find his or her niche to get votes and bring voters to the polls. My last run for City Council 2 years ago 9800 voters showed up out of 58.000 registered voters , That is a sin .
The candidates and there supporters and the local media must push the local elections and participation.
I wish all the candidates well and will attend the forums and engage them when I can and urge resident to turn out and vote.
If I may share a story about a city council candidate knocking on doors during his campaign. He came across a older womans home with broken front steps and her husband had been deceased for 3 yrs. She was very kind and appreciated him coming to her door. Within a week the Candidate had a friend come over and fix her steps.....That my friends is Campaigning
Sea Ya
The Capt.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Sunday, July 28, 2013
A Very Bad Rubber Ducky
Now let me start out by saying I don't believe in curses and evil objects, and that we make our own luck in life and we do the best we can to make everyday as positive as we can.
Three weeks ago while at the boat I looked down between my boat and the dock and there was a yellow rubber duck, I said to myself how cool that this rubber duck made it's way all the way down river probably from a fundraising event and ended up next to my boat.
I took the little guy and mounted him to my bow cleat and it looked pretty cool and funny at the same time.
That day we caught no fish and no bugs in the traps but thats fishing and we paid no mind. The next day my boat sank at the docks. A week later while towing the boat to be repaired with the rubber duck still on the bow my truck broke down.
I'm still thinking I'm in a bad moon and things will get better. Saturday Tom and I started to work on the boat and I looked at the rubber duck on the bow and thought to myself that is a unlucky ducky and cut it off the bow. We started to think of all the bad things that have happened and all things pointed to the rubber duck.....That it, it was the Rubber Duck , it,s cursed
Now that we know it was the rubber duck that gave us the bad luck Tom came up with a the brilliant idea of blowing it up with a M80. Great idea I said and we cured that rubber duck.
We had to head out to West Marine to get some supplies to fix the boat so I put the rubber duck in Toms saddle bags so we could kill the rubber duck later and off we went for a nice putt on the bikes on back roads to Woburn.
When we made our purchases and Tom opened up his saddle bags and saw the rubber duck and said are you an asshole this thing is cursed. I said it's a rubber duck and we'll kill it later. No way Tom said and threw in on the bark mulch in the parking lot. We laughed and off we went back to the boat.
So off we go enjoying our back road ride that Tom has traveled hundreds of times before with me 30 yards behind him. All of a sudden I see Tom hitting his brakes hard and thinking what is he braking for and then I see it in front of him... The railroad gates were down he was going to hit them and I was right behind him.
I hit my brakes and saw Tom hit the gates and when he did the gates went up and hit his front fairing and windshield. Tom pushed back from the gates and at that instant the commuter train flew by.
It was all in slow motion and when we drove across the tracks we pulled over and just looked at each other a said what the heck just happened .
It was the Rubber Duck
Sea Ya
The Capt.
Three weeks ago while at the boat I looked down between my boat and the dock and there was a yellow rubber duck, I said to myself how cool that this rubber duck made it's way all the way down river probably from a fundraising event and ended up next to my boat.
I took the little guy and mounted him to my bow cleat and it looked pretty cool and funny at the same time.
That day we caught no fish and no bugs in the traps but thats fishing and we paid no mind. The next day my boat sank at the docks. A week later while towing the boat to be repaired with the rubber duck still on the bow my truck broke down.
I'm still thinking I'm in a bad moon and things will get better. Saturday Tom and I started to work on the boat and I looked at the rubber duck on the bow and thought to myself that is a unlucky ducky and cut it off the bow. We started to think of all the bad things that have happened and all things pointed to the rubber duck.....That it, it was the Rubber Duck , it,s cursed
Now that we know it was the rubber duck that gave us the bad luck Tom came up with a the brilliant idea of blowing it up with a M80. Great idea I said and we cured that rubber duck.
We had to head out to West Marine to get some supplies to fix the boat so I put the rubber duck in Toms saddle bags so we could kill the rubber duck later and off we went for a nice putt on the bikes on back roads to Woburn.
When we made our purchases and Tom opened up his saddle bags and saw the rubber duck and said are you an asshole this thing is cursed. I said it's a rubber duck and we'll kill it later. No way Tom said and threw in on the bark mulch in the parking lot. We laughed and off we went back to the boat.
So off we go enjoying our back road ride that Tom has traveled hundreds of times before with me 30 yards behind him. All of a sudden I see Tom hitting his brakes hard and thinking what is he braking for and then I see it in front of him... The railroad gates were down he was going to hit them and I was right behind him.
I hit my brakes and saw Tom hit the gates and when he did the gates went up and hit his front fairing and windshield. Tom pushed back from the gates and at that instant the commuter train flew by.
It was all in slow motion and when we drove across the tracks we pulled over and just looked at each other a said what the heck just happened .
It was the Rubber Duck
Sea Ya
The Capt.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Update on the fishing vessel the Janet Marie
Having just returned from working on the boat I'd thought I would give you an update on our progress on trying to return her to the sea.
After her salvage we were able to get her to my boat mechanic to save the motor 2hrs after she came up and he was able to flush the motor out and get her started....Good news.
I then hauled her back up to So. Hampton N.H. to a great old school fiberglass guy that works on Novy fishing boats and he repaired the soft spot on the hull and did a great job and treated me well.
Today my buddy Tom and I removed all the contaminated fuel out of the tanks as they were full of water and replaced all the fuel lines and filters.
Next is the electrical .....this is not good
All my electronics are dead but not gone I hope. Wiring is starting to turn green from the salt water and needs to be addressed very soon. I hope that just the contacts on the fuse panel need to be cleaned but won't know till I get deeper into this project.
I appreciate all of the kind words and motivation you have all given us on getting her back on the sea.
I also apologize for not being able to fulfill my commitments to the Non Profits I donated to this year but they are still good when then Janet Marie is ready.
Sea Ya
The Capt.
After her salvage we were able to get her to my boat mechanic to save the motor 2hrs after she came up and he was able to flush the motor out and get her started....Good news.
I then hauled her back up to So. Hampton N.H. to a great old school fiberglass guy that works on Novy fishing boats and he repaired the soft spot on the hull and did a great job and treated me well.
Today my buddy Tom and I removed all the contaminated fuel out of the tanks as they were full of water and replaced all the fuel lines and filters.
Next is the electrical .....this is not good
All my electronics are dead but not gone I hope. Wiring is starting to turn green from the salt water and needs to be addressed very soon. I hope that just the contacts on the fuse panel need to be cleaned but won't know till I get deeper into this project.
I appreciate all of the kind words and motivation you have all given us on getting her back on the sea.
I also apologize for not being able to fulfill my commitments to the Non Profits I donated to this year but they are still good when then Janet Marie is ready.
Sea Ya
The Capt.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
The sinking of The JANET MARIE but the old Sea Chest watched over her.
I have enjoyed telling you of my adventures at sea and sharing boating tip on this blog but this past Tuesday I believe my seafaring days are over for this season. I received a call at 8am on Tuesday morning from the marina that the Janet Maria and gone down at her slip, I couldn't believe my ears, this was my baby ,my extra cash for the summer, my fresh lobsters.
I drove down to the marina and I must admit exceeded the speed limit to find my baby 3/4 of the way underwater. The only thing from keeping her from sinking to the bottom were the lines tied to the dock. My heart sank. There I was all alone on the dock looking at my pride and joy under water.
I called my crew and told them that she had gone down and like the loyal friends and crew that they are left their day jobs and headed for the docks. I was bumming hard thinking about the damage that was being done and the equipment that was lost and how this could have happened. I was numb.
I looked through the tea stained river water to see what was left but my heart sank when I didn't see the sea chest that my Father had built for my boat 17 years ago. My Father passed away 6 mon. ago and was a carpenter and made a sea chest for my boat when I bought it. It was rough and stained with teak with multiple layers of poly. I receive more comments on that sea chest from the fisherman at the dock
I walked down the pier and looked down into the boat, all of my gear that wasn't screwed down or tied was gone. It all floated out of the boat and down the river. Out of the coner of my eye to the stern it caught my eye ,there it was. While everything in the boat floated away the old sea chest ended up wedged behind the stern and a boat fender, I smiled. Thanks Dad for watching over my boat.
Love you and miss you Dad.
Sea ya
The Capt.
I drove down to the marina and I must admit exceeded the speed limit to find my baby 3/4 of the way underwater. The only thing from keeping her from sinking to the bottom were the lines tied to the dock. My heart sank. There I was all alone on the dock looking at my pride and joy under water.
I called my crew and told them that she had gone down and like the loyal friends and crew that they are left their day jobs and headed for the docks. I was bumming hard thinking about the damage that was being done and the equipment that was lost and how this could have happened. I was numb.
I looked through the tea stained river water to see what was left but my heart sank when I didn't see the sea chest that my Father had built for my boat 17 years ago. My Father passed away 6 mon. ago and was a carpenter and made a sea chest for my boat when I bought it. It was rough and stained with teak with multiple layers of poly. I receive more comments on that sea chest from the fisherman at the dock
I walked down the pier and looked down into the boat, all of my gear that wasn't screwed down or tied was gone. It all floated out of the boat and down the river. Out of the coner of my eye to the stern it caught my eye ,there it was. While everything in the boat floated away the old sea chest ended up wedged behind the stern and a boat fender, I smiled. Thanks Dad for watching over my boat.
Love you and miss you Dad.
Sea ya
The Capt.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Lowell Election Season as I Sea It.
Ahoy
I have been busy with my road trips to biker events and taking care of my Mothers affairs and have not blogged in awhile. I must say that things are a little slow moving for an election year. The last special election for State Senator had a dismal turnout and hope that this will not be the case this fall as it was when I ran for city council 2 years ago when 9800 voters showed up out of 58,000 registered voters in the city of Lowell.
From what I sea the challengers have been silent and have not made any moves on any stands they might have on any one issue. I have heard on some media outlets of some talk for a strong mayor and changing our city charter. My hope is we have enough candidates to have a primary.
We have some good challengers for city council so far but I'm waiting for the forums to hear their views on issues. While I'm on the forum issue...Please Please limit the amount of forums we have. There is no need in my option to have every neighborhood group to have a candidates forum. In some of the forums I participated in the candidates outnumbered the audience . It was dumb and a waste of the candidates time.
I wish all the new candidates and the incumbents luck and know the work that goes into running a campaign.
I will be supporting some old and new candidates this year for city council and urge the voters in the city of Lowell to turnout this November.
Sea ya for now
The Capt.
I have been busy with my road trips to biker events and taking care of my Mothers affairs and have not blogged in awhile. I must say that things are a little slow moving for an election year. The last special election for State Senator had a dismal turnout and hope that this will not be the case this fall as it was when I ran for city council 2 years ago when 9800 voters showed up out of 58,000 registered voters in the city of Lowell.
From what I sea the challengers have been silent and have not made any moves on any stands they might have on any one issue. I have heard on some media outlets of some talk for a strong mayor and changing our city charter. My hope is we have enough candidates to have a primary.
We have some good challengers for city council so far but I'm waiting for the forums to hear their views on issues. While I'm on the forum issue...Please Please limit the amount of forums we have. There is no need in my option to have every neighborhood group to have a candidates forum. In some of the forums I participated in the candidates outnumbered the audience . It was dumb and a waste of the candidates time.
I wish all the new candidates and the incumbents luck and know the work that goes into running a campaign.
I will be supporting some old and new candidates this year for city council and urge the voters in the city of Lowell to turnout this November.
Sea ya for now
The Capt.
Friday, May 31, 2013
Captains Thoughts Before I Hit The Road to Ohio Bike Week.
Let me start with the homeless issue. Yes I was critical of the 7 day vacate notice and was public about it on WCAP and WBZ and the Lowell Sun but I am happy that most of the homeless have found housing and those that chose not to will eventually come in.
I know it is definitely election year watching the City Council meeting with the antic of certain city councilors and pandering to the residents of Lowell. In my opinion it is painful to watch and hope the voters will take note and remember on election day.
I like the idea of 2 way traffic coming back to Merrimack, Central and Shattuck. I hope this move will revitalize the downtown. We also need Enel to get off their butts and fit the bridges over our canals
Chickens, Chickens, Chickens. I have not heard more conversation about anything in 30 yrs living in this city. In my opinion you want chickens go to the MSPCA at Nevins Farm and donate so they can find good homes on a farm.
I also wish all the Candidates running for City Council and School Committee all the best, I takes courage and commment to put your name on a ballot and tons of work and support from family and friends and supporters. I wish you all the best.
My Harley is packed and heading out for a trip to Lake Erie Ohio for their Bike week at 7am Saturday morning. Please be good to each other while I'm gone.....Love Ya.
Sea Ya
The Capt.
I know it is definitely election year watching the City Council meeting with the antic of certain city councilors and pandering to the residents of Lowell. In my opinion it is painful to watch and hope the voters will take note and remember on election day.
I like the idea of 2 way traffic coming back to Merrimack, Central and Shattuck. I hope this move will revitalize the downtown. We also need Enel to get off their butts and fit the bridges over our canals
Chickens, Chickens, Chickens. I have not heard more conversation about anything in 30 yrs living in this city. In my opinion you want chickens go to the MSPCA at Nevins Farm and donate so they can find good homes on a farm.
I also wish all the Candidates running for City Council and School Committee all the best, I takes courage and commment to put your name on a ballot and tons of work and support from family and friends and supporters. I wish you all the best.
My Harley is packed and heading out for a trip to Lake Erie Ohio for their Bike week at 7am Saturday morning. Please be good to each other while I'm gone.....Love Ya.
Sea Ya
The Capt.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Boating Season Begins And For Some It Ends The Same Day
At last it is here. After working on the boat these last two months I finally finish it. Every two years I go through the whole boat with a new paint job,polish the brass and chrome and go through all the wiring. Of course there are things to do and buy every year because a boat is a hole in the water you throw money into but I like to make sure the boat looks good and I know what I have for upcoming problems.
Launch day will be next Sat. where I put in at Cashman's Park in Newburyport. They have a great boat ramp and it is well maintained. Sometimes they charge a 5.00 fee if the harbormaster is there but I go early to avoid the rush.
Launch Day can also be very entertaining if you're the person watching from the sidelines. For the amateur boater it can the worst day of his life and embarrassing for the seasoned boater when they get a brain fart.
Over the 25 years of boating and launching I've seen it all.....I think. Here are some of the funny and not so funny things I've seen
There are the people that can't back a trailer up tying up both sides of the ramp, some jackknife the trailer and twist the ball end of the trailer and thats it for them for the day. Then there's the guy that backs down and has no rope tied to the bow and the boat floats away. Then there's the guy with a boat on a roll off trailer and doesn't have it tied off and backs down and the boat rolls off and snaps the lower end of his motor off and the boat lands on the ramp. Then there's the guy that backs down but forgets to put the drain plug in and his boat sinks.
Between all of these things and the yelling and screaming and finger pointing it can be entertaining if you're not the guy waiting to launch your boat. So if you happen to be driving by a busy boat ramp stop by and watch the show.
SEA YA
The Capt.
Launch day will be next Sat. where I put in at Cashman's Park in Newburyport. They have a great boat ramp and it is well maintained. Sometimes they charge a 5.00 fee if the harbormaster is there but I go early to avoid the rush.
Launch Day can also be very entertaining if you're the person watching from the sidelines. For the amateur boater it can the worst day of his life and embarrassing for the seasoned boater when they get a brain fart.
Over the 25 years of boating and launching I've seen it all.....I think. Here are some of the funny and not so funny things I've seen
There are the people that can't back a trailer up tying up both sides of the ramp, some jackknife the trailer and twist the ball end of the trailer and thats it for them for the day. Then there's the guy that backs down and has no rope tied to the bow and the boat floats away. Then there's the guy with a boat on a roll off trailer and doesn't have it tied off and backs down and the boat rolls off and snaps the lower end of his motor off and the boat lands on the ramp. Then there's the guy that backs down but forgets to put the drain plug in and his boat sinks.
Between all of these things and the yelling and screaming and finger pointing it can be entertaining if you're not the guy waiting to launch your boat. So if you happen to be driving by a busy boat ramp stop by and watch the show.
SEA YA
The Capt.
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