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First off, I don’t think there has been a time in recent history when a governor has made so many visits to Lowell to talk to the people. (I don’t remember Mitt Romney ever doing it.) Today, I was proud to see Governor Patrick here again, surrounded by questioning citizens amid our beautiful, historic Pollard Memorial Library. He had an agenda of course: Patrick was here to pitch his plan to reform the state’s transportation system and raise the gas tax by 19 cents. I list reform first because the Governor was quite clear that he would not support raising revenues for transportation without reform—specifically: the pension system, which he called “too rich for the times;” the six individual agencies that must be integrated into one to coordinate planning and implementation of statewide transportation strategies; and the funds to take steps toward reversing decades of “neglect and shortsighted decisions” that have got us into this mess. 

As usual, I was struck by his sincerity, intelligence, and willingness to hear people out. And since it was Lowell, you can be sure there were many folks with opinions, ideas, and comments to share. (For a more thorough review, check LiL because Lynne was there with questions and a recording device, and I’m sure she’ll be posting too.) In answer to my question about why not do reform first, Patrick said reform is not enough to cover the debt as well as the needed repairs for roads and bridges. “Reform is first,” he said. “We have to do it. But we can’t do what we need to do with reform alone.” He also said that he was open to other ideas and varying combinations of his plan, adding he has “not dug in at 19 cents,” but that was the “most we could do within reason.” As tough as times are, I can’t help but feel hopeful with leadership that’s willing to take it to the people–that is one of the many blessings of a democratic government. Thank you Governor Patrick, and please visit Lowell again soon.

Tonight, the Lowell School Committee meets in Council Chambers, beginning at 7 pm and televised live on local cable station 10. In addition to a number of motions by committee members, the meeting’s agenda includes reports from the superintendent on teacher attendance, a new grant for high-risk students at the LHS Freshman Academy, an update on the UMass Lowell-Bartlett School collaboration, and graduation dates (June 3 for LHS, June 5 for Lowell Adult Education). Barring additional lost school days, the last day of school is Friday, June 19.

Tomorrow is Financial Aid Night from 6-7 p.m. at Wannalancit Mills, 600 Suffolk Street. Parents and students are invited to learn about options for paying for college and what tenth graders should be doing now to make sure they’re ready when they graduate. Sponsored by Gear-Up Lowell, the meeting is open to all and will be presented by a UMass Lowell financial aid officer and a LHS college and career counselor. Childcare is available. Contact Lauren Butler at 978-934-1987 for details.

This week begins the preliminary round of the annual Knowledge Bowl, the very cool competition that pits students from middle schools across the city against each other in a quiz-show-style academic contest. Due to Monday’s storm, last night was the opening challenge, with the Butler, Wang and Rogers Schools competing. (Wang took first place with 225 points.) Held at the Butler Middle School, 1140 Gorham Street, beginning at 6:30, the competition continues tonight with the Daley, Pyne and Robinson Schools competing, and on Thursday, March 5, with the Sullivan, Bartlett, and Stoklosa Schools. The next round is the week of March 9, with the finals on March 19.

As my own personal launch into Lowell Women’s Week, which begins today, the following are some of my favorite quotes from Susan B. Anthony. I have long admired Anthony for her courage and tenacity, her vision for women despite their long history of oppression, and her amazing skill with language and argument. She was a smart, eloquent, and gifted advocate for women’s rights. See what you think:

On change: “Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputation and social standing, never can bring about a reform. Those who are really in earnest must be willing to be anything or nothing in the world’s estimation, and publicly and privately, in season and out, avow their sympathy with despised and persecuted ideas and their advocates, and bear the consequences.”

On education: “If all the rich and all of the church people should send their children to the public schools they would feel bound to concentrate their money on improving these schools until they met the highest ideals.”

On educated women: “I can’t say that the college-bred woman is the most contented woman. The broader her mind the more she understands the unequal conditions between men and women, the more she chafes under a government that tolerates it.”