I got an EMail from the Franky Descoteaux Campaign, pointing out that they have put up their "Economic Plan" on their web site. It can be seen here.
I have some criticism. I think it should be on its own nested page under the heading of Issues.
It didn't mention our two US Senators, one of whom for sure♠ has been a major source of money and opportunities for this Commonwealth and our area.
On the other hand, it mentioned "strategy" twice. Here is the difference between "tactical" and "strategic." Tactical is what is going to happen between now and the 2011 election. Strategic is what is going to be happening in 2012 and later. Tactical is what you do with what you have. Strategic is what you do with that small amount you can afford to invest after you meet your immediate needs. We need a strategy, and not just for 2012, but for 2022.
Further, I like the idea of public/private partnerships. Apparently the US House Majority Leader, Steny Hoyer, mentioned the Eire Canal the other day. The State of New York built that piece of infrastructure and everyone prospered. The trick is to know what the public side should do and what should be left to the private side. Virginia Postal talked about that on her blog recently.
I know that Franky Descoteaux is running for City Council and not City Manager, but the one thing conspicuously missing was a mention of the role of the City Manager. I hope that is corrected soon. It is the City Manager with the staff to do the long range planning needed to make things click for Lowell.
In summation, looking good, Franky.
Regards — Cliff
♠ Yes, that would not be the one with the initials JFK.
3 comments:
Cliff,
I haven't read the "plan" but I do agree with you that the plan needs to be developed by the City Administration i.e. DPD. I thought of developing a plan, but came to the conclusion that there are people in the City who are paid to do this and I am not. There would be a lot more entusiasm in implementing their own plan than in implementing a plan that was forced on them.
I would have a goal of creating or bring to the Lowell area more jobs. It is certainly needed. The City needs to focus on developing jobs not more housing. There are plenty of developers in the area that will develop housing as the need arises.
Attracting more employers or new businesses to the area will certainly be more difficult but that is what the region needs.
As a City Councilor, I would push for and support that effort.
I have to say just viewing her site raised my oxytocin/trustworthy factor with her. Nothing like newborns and the elderly, seriously though I like personal anecdote regarding her mother. Mentioning the personal experience formed her, so we know where she is coming rather just listing concerns. It helps out.
I lived in Lowell up until last November when I moved my family south to lower taxes and lower utility bills.
When I left, Lowes still hadn't broken ground because they had not paid enough of the extortion demands of neighbors.
Any development plan needs to get government out of the way of private development while also protecting private property rights.
Allowing individuals to extort money from industry moving into already commercial property should never have happened.
I am not a fan of any "public/private" venture because it always means tax payers get left holding the bag for cost over runs while all profits end up in private bank accounts. Tsongas arena comes to mind. It costs Lowell tax payer over a million dollars a year. That's some bargain. The Lowell Auditorium is another cinder block around the neck. And the Spinners ball park should be owned by the team owner because the city council uses the lease to extort more money from the team and doesn't allow the owner to make changes that will make it a better park.
The city needs to start by selling all of the facilities that are not required for the few and necessary functions of government. Parking garages and a "Parking Authority" do not fall under "necessary." If there is a market for parking garages then let the private market place run it and assume all the liability and other costs.
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