Lowell High School - Bullshit and Blather

There is a very vocal minority in Lowell, that is trying desperately to degrade public confidence in the VERY PUBLIC process that has played out for close to a decade (or more) about what Lowell should do with modernizing the Lowell High School. Unfortunately, that minority has a large presence in the Blog of Record and WCAP.

There was a time when news organizations could be trusted to help residents sort through confusing details, especially when those concerns involved large scale political decisions and expenditure of taxpayers dollars. The reality is, legacy media is desperate to survive. As such, I don't recommend putting any stock in what they bellow. To be honest, I don't recommend putting any stock in what I blurt out, here.

As Lowellians, you have a responsibility to figure out the shit from Shinola. If you can't do that, then you better be especially careful when you go vote. Because someone is going to sign off on a plan. If I was to recommend anything, it would be this - DO NOT leave big decisions to little people.

I want to address two things, in this sitting. First, did Lowell have a public process to get Lowell where we are, right now. Second, what is Corey Belanger thinking?

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I've already answered to the frothy gurgling of WCAP (Link).

The internet is covered in public fingerprints:

Downtown Summit 2011 (Link)
The Speck Plan (Link)
Lowell Plan- UML: Downtown Initiative Report (Link)
Sustainable Lowell 2025 - The Master Plan (Link)

Of course, there are some that will rant that every lick of this public and transparent process was nothing more than a #bagjob . (How do we get so cynical in Lowell, I wonder?)

I've heard Jim Campanini suggest that the Lowell School Committee is not to be trusted with such a decision. That a referendum is in order. Why? Because the School Committee hasn't been doing their job? I beg to differ (Link).

Do I really need to go to the archives and pull up all the public notices, agendas and subcommittees reports/minutes?

I'm convinced the Lowell School Committee gets a 'Gold Star' for due diligence.

Some may not like the outcome. Hell, I may not even like the outcome. But to accuse the Lowell School Committee of being negligent or rubber stamping a foregone conclusion is completely unsubstantiated, at best.

Those attempting to sabotage Lowell's place in the MSBA queue should be called to task. They are recklessly endangering the decade long trajectory of solving a complex riddle. Worse, yet, they have not shared one iota of what they would envision as replacing the Lowell High School in the Downtown.

I'm not convinced the Downtown location is the best way forward. But, I am hardly unconvinced. Especially, if we leave it to the confused to enlighten us.

How's this for confused?

LOWELL -- City Councilor Corey Belanger said this week he wants Lowell High School moved out of the downtown and plans to be the point person to try to make that happen.

"If the high school stays, we are going to doom the downtown forever," said Belanger, who owns a downtown bar. "If we move the high school, we could have a state-of-the-art high school and a downtown mecca at the same time."

At a recent City Council meeting, Belanger had said he wanted other options for the high school to be explored, but this week he made clear he is against keeping the high school in its current location.

Belanger said his preferred location for a new high school would be the city's South Common (Link).

Wait a second! I seem to recall ....... Oh, ya.

City Council hopeful sees pool, rink for city park
The Sun (11/8/11) Archived Offline

LOWELL -- City Council challenger Corey Belanger is promising to work to turn the city's South Common into a four-season venue offering affordable, family recreation if he is elected. 

Belanger , owner of Majors Pub on Jackson Street, said he envisions the "underutilized and blighted" park featuring an ice-skating rink, sledding, ice sculptures and bonfires during the winter. 

In the summer, the Zoning Board of Appeals member said he would like to see the park possess gardens, a carousel, wading pool, picnic area and playgrounds. 

In the spring and fall, amphitheater seating would make it possible for concerts to be held, he said. 

Further, the opportunity to offer concessions year-round would go out to bid, Belanger said, and help bring some revenue into the city. 

Belanger said he is most excited about the potential for his South Common plan to provide a space for families in Lowell and its suburbs to enjoy a wide variety of affordable family recreation and entertainment. 

"The city is already attracting the martini crowd, but we need an affordable place for families," Belanger said. "This could be a really big draw for everyone in the city and the area."

Which is it Councilor Belanger? Are we going with  .... ?

The JMac Plan

Or, one closer to this (Link)?

In an earlier diary (Link), I wondered aloud ...

By fronting the South Common location, Belanger has tied himself to Lupoli. But, is it by a "brass ring" or an "albatross?"

When I wrote that, I was not sure just how close Belanger is to Lupoli's interests. His latest quote, from the article cited above, leaves us with no more clarity.

"Coming off the Connector you would have what Sal Lupoli is doing on your left, a gleaming new high school at the South Common, and a brand new judicial center in the Hamilton Canal District," said Belanger. "I believe wholeheartedly this is the right thing to do."

Why is Councilor Belanger conjoined to Lupoli's 'vision?' Is it because the JMac sparkler fizzled in parochial Lowell? Is Lupoli inVESTing in a brand spanking new "Townie Turnstile?" (Link)

Or, is it because Dave Nangle is pushing for the LHS to move out of the Downtown? That makes more sense in #planetlowell terms.