'hood stuff

YIKES! The Folk Festival is coming soon! July 24th - 26th
http://www.lowellfolkfestival.org/
In the meantime…

Tuesday July 14th, 6:30 PM - City Council meeting. Please note on the agenda Councilor Milinazzo has a motion to for an independent legal investigation into whether the council violated the city (Plan E) charter when they voted not to fund assistant city manager, Andy Sheehan's position.
I am not in the habit of editorializing… however, this motion by a councilor who publicly acknowledged she did it "because she doesn't like him…" or some such nonsense…SCREAMS out for top honors in the WTF? category. Stay-tuned…I can not imagine one other councilor besides Mr. Milinazzo would possibly have the courage to vote in favor of this motion. To put it simply…this is sad, sad, sad for the city.

Which leads me to remind everyone: http://www.fairvotelowell.org/ Petitions for an initiatve to be placed on this November's ballot are due within the next week. If have the petition, please call or send me an email at: kmarcin@gmail.com

Tuesday July 14th, 7-10 PM - Jazz Night at Athenian

Wednesday July 15th, and EVERY Wednesday - Traditional Irish Music at The Old Court

Every Friday, 2-7 PM - Farmer's Market - JFK Plaza

Tuesday, July 21st - Lowell Film Collaborative showing of "Oh Brother Where Art Thou" - Athenian Corner

Police probe triple shooting in Lowell

Will someone explain to me how we get people to JUST STOP this?

Update: Since no one has any suggestions for aforementioned question...and if they did; I would not have need to ask...

from the SUN
"...a Lawrence man, was arrested Saturday and charged with assault with intent to murder, illegal possession of a firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, and discharging a firearm in connection with the University Avenue shooting, police said. "
http://www.lowellsun.com/breakingnews/ci_12826754

As usual...thank you to all at LPD that do an amazing job.

Studio A Film Screening "Momma's Man"

"Momma's Man"
Thursday, July 16, 7 p.m.
2009 (doors open at 6:30)
LTC Studio, 246 Market st.
During a short business trip to New York, 30-something Mikey pays a visit to his parents’ home and decides never to leave, forsaking all his responsibilities as a husband and new father back in Los Angeles. Written and directed by Azazel Jacobs, this unique independent drama delves into the fear of facing adulthood, the romanticizing of the past and the unwillingness to accept change, regardless of its inevitability.

CITY COUNCIL ELECTION TIME IS NEAR...

FAIR VOTE LOWELL
Fair Vote Lowell is an initiative to increase voter participation, open up opportunities for new candidates, and create local elective bodies that are representative of all residents in Lowell, Massachusetts.Our mission is simple: We’re here to transform Lowell's voting system for local elections of city councilors and school committee from the current "Winner take All" system to "Choice Voting", a system that is fair and promotes greater representation for all.We invite you to explore our site and join us in transforming our voting system in Lowell. http://www.fairvotelowell.org/

What is Choice Voting? Choice voting is a type of proportional representation that works on the principle that all voters have a right to someone they support. With Choice voting, the majority still receives a majority of the representation, but some seats are available to other voters, so that all voters can be fairly represented. To vote, voters rank the candidates in order of preference. If your top choice loses, your vote goes to your next preferred candidate. After a choice voting election, each elected candidate represents a distinct and equal-sized group of like-minded voters.

I have the petition...please let me know if you have not had an opportunity to sign one.
KMM

Dick Howe takes a historical look at Lowell's previous use of "Choice Voting" http://richardhowe.com/2009/06/17/is-choice-voting-right-for-lowell/

Candidate web sites to date:
Ryan Berard http://www.ryanberard.com/
Franky Descoteaux http://www.frankyforlowell.com/
Joe Mendonca http://www.mendonca.org/
James Milinazzo http://jimmilinazzo.homestead.com/
Patrick Murphy http://thinkmurphy.com/

Update: I received an email from Ryan Berard;
The First Campaign Fundraiser is scheduled for July 16th at the East End Club from 6-10PM.

ART WALK 2009

Join the Revolving Museum in downtown Lowell for the ArtWalk Kick Off Party. Meet the artists who have created the pieces that people empty storefronts all through Lowell for third year in a row, making the City more beautiful and more fun. There will be a cash bar and lots to look at.
Thurs., July 16, 5pm - 7pm. Revolving Museum, 22 Shattuck St.

Thank you so much to Bob Knapp, Greg Page, Ted Lavash for thier contribution to an LDNA sponsored window this year.