I'm going to be truthful as I type this I'm still a little shaken up. I was very anxious and hopeful to watch the first 2014 City Council meeting. Mayor Rodney Elliott ran a pretty good meeting and kept things moving along accept for the motions coming out of order because folks were there to speak.
The meeting went a little long with a long discussion on the location of the Manger and the maintenance of it.
The last few days there were a lot of discussions in the local media about the City Manager wanting to go into executive session to discuss his contract. Some thought it was premature as his contract does not expire till this August . I thought it was a good move to see how the new council felt about his performance so he could make plans in the event they wouldn't give him a contract.
I have said all along a professional City Manager should have a contract to attract the very best applicants. Bernie has been in my option the very best that I have seen in the time that I have gotten involved in politics .He has brought the city to a sound financial state that is admired by not only the surrounding towns but the state. We have a solid bond rating and low taxes and work has began to address our infrastructure.
There was a fraction of the city that from some reason didn't like him and bucked his every move and I believe put candidates forward to run this last term for city council and they won.
This in my option is a sad day in Lowell s political history. I wish Bernie well as he deserves it
I hope that the City of Lowell will find someone to fill he shoes......It won't be easy
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Saturday, January 4, 2014
I Hope We Don't Have Rough Sea's Ahead in 2014
In today's Lowell Sun two things jumped out me. One comparing Councilor Rodney Elliott to Richard Howe Sr. in this mornings Saturday Chat . In my option C.C. Elliott as been disruptive negative and self serving for these last 5 terms . Yes he as gotten the votes but I am concerned about his leadership as Mayor. Will it be the same old Rodney disregarding Roberts Rules? Will he continue to beat on the City Manager?
City Manager Bernie Lynch has asked to go into executive session to discuss his upcoming contract.
Good for him he should know what he is dealing with from the start of this new council. I hope this council has the good sense to give the Manager a new contract.
I have my ear to ground and hear the coffee shop talk as most of us do. We as a city cannot go backwards to the good old boy days. We have a fiscally sound city under the Lynch administration .
We enjoy low to no tax hikes as residents and continue to get the services we need.
I have said it before I don't care who the City Manager is but he deserves a contract .
It will be interesting to see if this city Manager decides to leave ,who will get the gig and if he or she gets a contract. We as a city are on the right course . We are not perfect and I'm hoping this council will not make to many waves and stay the course.
SeaYa
The Capt.
City Manager Bernie Lynch has asked to go into executive session to discuss his upcoming contract.
Good for him he should know what he is dealing with from the start of this new council. I hope this council has the good sense to give the Manager a new contract.
I have my ear to ground and hear the coffee shop talk as most of us do. We as a city cannot go backwards to the good old boy days. We have a fiscally sound city under the Lynch administration .
We enjoy low to no tax hikes as residents and continue to get the services we need.
I have said it before I don't care who the City Manager is but he deserves a contract .
It will be interesting to see if this city Manager decides to leave ,who will get the gig and if he or she gets a contract. We as a city are on the right course . We are not perfect and I'm hoping this council will not make to many waves and stay the course.
SeaYa
The Capt.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Shedd Park. Lowells Hidden Jewell
I was driving by Shedd Park today and a smile came across my face as I watched hundreds on children sledding down the hills in the park on the fresh snow. I have many many fond memories of doing just that as a child. I remember asking my Dad after a fresh snow to go to the park and putting on our snowsuits and black buckled boots and loading up our sleds and aluminum flying saucers and climbing that hill over and over.
The kids today have it easier than we did . In our day they didn't have bales of hay in front of the tress and the granite walls. I remember parents would stand in front of the tress facing up up hill when the children came down and tried to catch them before we hit the trees.
Many parents limped off the hill from getting hit in the ankles.....Here is a little History of Shedd Park that I found.....Enjoy
Today, Lowell’s Shedd Park is home to fifty acres of tennis courts,
baseball diamonds, picnic areas, and a water spray park. Its pavilion
is often used as a stage for public events and concerts. In the years
surrounding the turn of the twentieth century, however, the land that
eventually became the park was a combination of open fields and dense
forests, and it was privately owned.
The land wasn’t always destined to become Shedd Park. As late as
1896, it was considered for subdivision and development into housing
lots.
But, in the end, Freeman B. Shedd, the owner of the land, gave it as a
gift to the City of Lowell, with no strings attached. On July 14,
1910, Freeman B. Shedd sent a letter to Lowell’s mayor at the time, John
F. Meehan.
He said:
“I have acquired title to a tract of land containing fifty acres, more or less, which is situated south of Knapp Avenue and adjoining Fort Hill park, that I offer to the City of Lowell for its acceptance under the following conditions:
“First: That it shall forever be used as a park and recreation or playground for the citizens and children of the City of Lowell, and for no other purpose.
“Second: That no building or structure shall be erected on the land except such as is adapted and required for use in connection with said park and playground.
“Third: That the city will, within a reasonable time, proceed to develop and prepare the ground for such uses on the lines indicated by accompanying plan furnished by E.W.Bowditch, civil engineer of Boston.
“Fourth: That I shall have the right to erect, subject to the approval of the park commission, a suitable gateway and entrance, with a tablet or tablets thereon with the following transcription: ”Shedd Playground. A gift to the City of Lowell by Freeman Ballard Shedd, A.D. 1910.”
And, with that he closed the letter, and awaited the city’s response to his offer. Real estate experts of the day valued the land at $50,000. There were really no strings attached. Freeman Shedd, a lifelong resident of Lowell, and was simply and in the words of the day, an ‘ardent lover’ of his city.
The vote to accept Shedd’s park was unanimous, and a rising vote of thanks was offered to Freeman Shedd. An appropriation of $10,000 was voted by the City Council on November 4, 1910 to clear the land and build a roadway to the entrance. Work commenced quickly. A roadway was built to grant better access to the future park. Ground was cleared; trees were felled. The skating rink was created. The Council intended, within 10 years to make the park one of the best outside Boston. Freeman Shedd again stepped forward to make that happen. Shedd’s will left $100,000 to the city for the development of the park, provided that his daughter, Mary Belle, left no descendants when she herself died. Mary Belle Shedd did, indeed, died childless in 1921, but was survived by Freeman Shedd’s wife, Amy. When Amy Shedd died in 1924, the $100,000 reverted to the City of Lowell and Shedd Park was further developed.
The original Bowditch plan for Shedd Park called for an open air theater, roughly where the little league baseball diamonds sit now along Knapp Avenue, a pond with a beach roughly where the Senior League baseball diamond sits now, and gender-specific gyms and tennis courts. A field designated for baseball and football was to reside further down Boylston Street, where the current picnic area is. Original plans also called for an underground tunnel to pass under the B&M railroad to connect the park with Wigginville, now better known as South Lowell.
In the last days of November and into early December 1910, a 6″ inch
service pipe was laid into the park, and from it approximately four
million gallons of water were let onto the land to flood about five
acres of land for a skating rink. City residents loved it. The Water
Department wasn’t so thrilled. Although the Park Department paid for
the pipe and its installation, they refused to pay the water bill.
Outside downtown Lowell, there are few Lowell landmarks as
universally well-known as Belvidere’s Shedd Park. At over 50 acres, the
park is among the largest in the city. Its story, enhanced by
generations of memories among Lowell residents, traces its origins to
one of Lowell’s most generous sons, who grew up to leave Lowell’s one of
its greatest gifts ever.
The kids today have it easier than we did . In our day they didn't have bales of hay in front of the tress and the granite walls. I remember parents would stand in front of the tress facing up up hill when the children came down and tried to catch them before we hit the trees.
Many parents limped off the hill from getting hit in the ankles.....Here is a little History of Shedd Park that I found.....Enjoy
The Story of Lowell’s Shedd Park
The gates are familiar to all who pass Lowell’s Shedd Park at the intersection of Rogers Street (Route 38) and Knapp Avenue in the city’s Belvidere section. And they tell a story of some of the greatest generosity ever experienced by the city of Lowell.
The Shedd Park Gateway, as it was envisioned in 1910. (Source: Lowell Sun: 7/16/1910)
Field and forest covered the land that would become Shedd Park in 1910. (Source: 1910-11 Lowell City Documents)
An
1896 plan showed a subdivision consisting of Hoyt, Belrose, and McAlvin
Avenues traversing the core of what later became park grounds.
(Source: 1896 Lowell City Atlas)
Freeman B Shedd, (Source: 1910-11 Lowell City Documents)
“I have acquired title to a tract of land containing fifty acres, more or less, which is situated south of Knapp Avenue and adjoining Fort Hill park, that I offer to the City of Lowell for its acceptance under the following conditions:
“First: That it shall forever be used as a park and recreation or playground for the citizens and children of the City of Lowell, and for no other purpose.
“Second: That no building or structure shall be erected on the land except such as is adapted and required for use in connection with said park and playground.
“Third: That the city will, within a reasonable time, proceed to develop and prepare the ground for such uses on the lines indicated by accompanying plan furnished by E.W.Bowditch, civil engineer of Boston.
“Fourth: That I shall have the right to erect, subject to the approval of the park commission, a suitable gateway and entrance, with a tablet or tablets thereon with the following transcription: ”Shedd Playground. A gift to the City of Lowell by Freeman Ballard Shedd, A.D. 1910.”
And, with that he closed the letter, and awaited the city’s response to his offer. Real estate experts of the day valued the land at $50,000. There were really no strings attached. Freeman Shedd, a lifelong resident of Lowell, and was simply and in the words of the day, an ‘ardent lover’ of his city.
The vote to accept Shedd’s park was unanimous, and a rising vote of thanks was offered to Freeman Shedd. An appropriation of $10,000 was voted by the City Council on November 4, 1910 to clear the land and build a roadway to the entrance. Work commenced quickly. A roadway was built to grant better access to the future park. Ground was cleared; trees were felled. The skating rink was created. The Council intended, within 10 years to make the park one of the best outside Boston. Freeman Shedd again stepped forward to make that happen. Shedd’s will left $100,000 to the city for the development of the park, provided that his daughter, Mary Belle, left no descendants when she herself died. Mary Belle Shedd did, indeed, died childless in 1921, but was survived by Freeman Shedd’s wife, Amy. When Amy Shedd died in 1924, the $100,000 reverted to the City of Lowell and Shedd Park was further developed.
The original Bowditch plan for Shedd Park called for an open air theater, roughly where the little league baseball diamonds sit now along Knapp Avenue, a pond with a beach roughly where the Senior League baseball diamond sits now, and gender-specific gyms and tennis courts. A field designated for baseball and football was to reside further down Boylston Street, where the current picnic area is. Original plans also called for an underground tunnel to pass under the B&M railroad to connect the park with Wigginville, now better known as South Lowell.
The original Bowditch plan for Shedd Park – 1910 – Lowell Sun, 7/16/1910
The skating pond at Shedd Park in 1910. (Source: 1910-11 Lowell City Documents)
Saturday, November 30, 2013
“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” ― Charles Dickens
I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. As a human being it's hard to live up to Mr. Dickens quote. As he said try to keep it all the year.
I find the older I get I become effected by seeing the homeless the underprivileged the bullyed and the handicapped. Some of my hard core buddy's will say Capt. your getting weak and maybe I am. Nobody gave me a thing and I never asked for a thing. I just found a way to make a buck but my heart still goes out to those that can't.
So what I'm saying is as we approach Christmas and we are inundated with numerous charity's , give if you can as the need is great but try to keep Christmas in your heart all year.
Sea ya
The Capt.
I find the older I get I become effected by seeing the homeless the underprivileged the bullyed and the handicapped. Some of my hard core buddy's will say Capt. your getting weak and maybe I am. Nobody gave me a thing and I never asked for a thing. I just found a way to make a buck but my heart still goes out to those that can't.
So what I'm saying is as we approach Christmas and we are inundated with numerous charity's , give if you can as the need is great but try to keep Christmas in your heart all year.
Sea ya
The Capt.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Give me Your Tired, Your Poor, Your Huddled Masses as Long as they don't come to Lowell.
Give me your tired,your poor and huddled masses. These are the words inscribed at the Statue of Liberty at Ellis Island that greeted thousands of immigrants and refugees.
This past week I sat and watched the Lowell city council pass an ordnance to eliminate panhandling in the Historic section of Lowell. Not to long ago this same council voted to eliminate homeless camps in Lowell.
Let me address the homeless issue first. We knew where the camps were and agency's ,churches and activist's would do outreach and check on them and helped to house some of them. The city gave them a weeks notice to clear out and then the city removed there homes......AHHHH that looks better.
What happened is those fragile human beings went deeper into the woods and those who cared for them can't get to them .
Some of those same people are panhandling in our city because they are on there own now.
Yes some of them have substance abuse problems and mental illness but what we did was push them out of the way because it made us feel uncomfortable and it was an eyesore. Let me tell you there are plenty of eyesores in this city,just drive around.
We need to have some compassion for the less fortunate .We will never eliminate it totally because life sometimes throws us a right hook and anyone of us can end up like them in a blink of an eye.
Pray for them and help them if you can.
Sea Ya
The Capt.
.
This past week I sat and watched the Lowell city council pass an ordnance to eliminate panhandling in the Historic section of Lowell. Not to long ago this same council voted to eliminate homeless camps in Lowell.
Let me address the homeless issue first. We knew where the camps were and agency's ,churches and activist's would do outreach and check on them and helped to house some of them. The city gave them a weeks notice to clear out and then the city removed there homes......AHHHH that looks better.
What happened is those fragile human beings went deeper into the woods and those who cared for them can't get to them .
Some of those same people are panhandling in our city because they are on there own now.
Yes some of them have substance abuse problems and mental illness but what we did was push them out of the way because it made us feel uncomfortable and it was an eyesore. Let me tell you there are plenty of eyesores in this city,just drive around.
We need to have some compassion for the less fortunate .We will never eliminate it totally because life sometimes throws us a right hook and anyone of us can end up like them in a blink of an eye.
Pray for them and help them if you can.
Sea Ya
The Capt.
.
Friday, November 8, 2013
Respooling my Fishing Reels and Thinking About Things
I was down in man town (my cellar) getting my freshwater reels ready for my trip to Maine this weekend for some deep water Trout fishing and thinking about this past weeks city elections.
I was bummed out that Marty Lorrey and Joe Mendonca lost ,both great guys that served the city well. Vesna Nuon unfortunately had a little baggage that came up and the Lowell Sun beat him up pretty good .
The four newly elected councilors I wish them well and congratulate them on a well run campaign.
Jim Millinazzo is known to me and he brings experience to the chamber. I am looking forward to what the other three will bring to the chamber as well.
Today I heard that councilor Rodney Elliott has secured the 5 votes he needed to be Mayor of Lowell.
I like Rodney personally and as Chairman of the Flood Sub Comm.he has helped my neighbors in the Rosemont and Clay Pit Brook residents to resolve our flooding issues, I sent a text to Rodney today saying although I didn't agree with him on all his stands on issue's He deserved to be Mayor for all his years of service to the City of Lowell.
I believe that as Mayor Rodney will reign in his antic's that he has displayed in the past for the good of the city and unite the council.
As for the City Managers contract. I have said it before that I am in favor of a contract for a City Manager. Just some food for thought from a aging Fisherman . Why not give the City Manager a contract now. We have done it early before. Damm. I cut my finger on 10 lb test line.
Sea Ya
The Capt.
I was bummed out that Marty Lorrey and Joe Mendonca lost ,both great guys that served the city well. Vesna Nuon unfortunately had a little baggage that came up and the Lowell Sun beat him up pretty good .
The four newly elected councilors I wish them well and congratulate them on a well run campaign.
Jim Millinazzo is known to me and he brings experience to the chamber. I am looking forward to what the other three will bring to the chamber as well.
Today I heard that councilor Rodney Elliott has secured the 5 votes he needed to be Mayor of Lowell.
I like Rodney personally and as Chairman of the Flood Sub Comm.he has helped my neighbors in the Rosemont and Clay Pit Brook residents to resolve our flooding issues, I sent a text to Rodney today saying although I didn't agree with him on all his stands on issue's He deserved to be Mayor for all his years of service to the City of Lowell.
I believe that as Mayor Rodney will reign in his antic's that he has displayed in the past for the good of the city and unite the council.
As for the City Managers contract. I have said it before that I am in favor of a contract for a City Manager. Just some food for thought from a aging Fisherman . Why not give the City Manager a contract now. We have done it early before. Damm. I cut my finger on 10 lb test line.
Sea Ya
The Capt.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Thoughts before Lowells Election Day
It's been a awhile since I blogged because I've been very busy with winterizing my boat and taking care of my Mother and her home and mine. I went to a few political parties and it was great to see people that supported me on my run for city council in the past. It was also very nice to hear from many people that they wished I would have run again this time.
There is no better time if you are engaged in the community than election season. There is no lack of conversation , between what the Lowell Sun prints and WCAP reports and the local blogs write. There is a very good slate of candidates this year and the majority of them are working hard to get their message out.
The issues are the same, Public Safety and do you support the City Manager and would you give him a contract. Economic Development always comes up also. I will support those candidates that support a professional City Manager and that will give him a contract. It doesn't matter to me who the City Manager is.
The candidates are doing all they can with the resources they have to get elected, now it's our job as citizens and voters to support them. Please remind your friends and family there is an election on Tuesday and to please vote. Two years ago only 9800 voters showed up out of 58000 registered voters ,that is a sin.
I wish all of the candidates good luck and thank them for putting themselves out there for the good of our city. It is a lot of work and win or lose you should be proud of yourselves.
Sea Ya
The Capt.
There is no better time if you are engaged in the community than election season. There is no lack of conversation , between what the Lowell Sun prints and WCAP reports and the local blogs write. There is a very good slate of candidates this year and the majority of them are working hard to get their message out.
The issues are the same, Public Safety and do you support the City Manager and would you give him a contract. Economic Development always comes up also. I will support those candidates that support a professional City Manager and that will give him a contract. It doesn't matter to me who the City Manager is.
The candidates are doing all they can with the resources they have to get elected, now it's our job as citizens and voters to support them. Please remind your friends and family there is an election on Tuesday and to please vote. Two years ago only 9800 voters showed up out of 58000 registered voters ,that is a sin.
I wish all of the candidates good luck and thank them for putting themselves out there for the good of our city. It is a lot of work and win or lose you should be proud of yourselves.
Sea Ya
The Capt.
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