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1. 1 On September 23rd, 2008, coreythecop said:

   Wow really went out there on a limb supporting Gov. Patrick’s position anti police position. Possibly it’s how you feel maybe politically safe fodder for your site.

   I’d not rather enter the whole mess debate of Mass being a prevailing wage state, police paid commensurate with jobsite workers or using details to supplement poor base wages of Lowell Officers who risk their lives in city of 120,000 people defending regulars from knuckleheads. Because truthfully, I’m just a cop, yes from Lowell, all my life.

   And being a tax payer from Lowell… I’d rather note then ask about your Sept 1st comment on Question 1 (repealing state tax) you said: “Taxes pay for what we need as a society, for civilization – good schools, police protection, fire safety, sidewalks, clean streets and a social safety net that protects all of us in case of hard times.

   If the principal argument is because 49 other states don’t have police details, does that mean because 49 other states have repealed excise taxes we should?

   I HAVE to ask this as someone who was born, raised and lives in Lowell. What would you propose as a citizen with children, school committee member and by your blog comments- city council hopeful? to do with the large part of Lowell Police officers effectively receiving pay cuts?

   You do however have a right to your unique Lowell opinion. As do I, however mine is not so unique. Given your present position, I think maybe you should concentrate a larger part of your efforts on improving Education, Curriculum, Facilities and School Safety. Perhaps why somebody must have voted for you…

   My kids have been moved from Lowell public schools to parochial ones.

   Can you guess why madam school committee member?

2. 2 On September 23rd, 2008, Jackie said:

   I’m going to ignore your saracasm and address the substance of your comments: First off, I am a police LOVER–I have family members and friends who are police officers, firefighters and teachers (not necessarily in Lowell). My whole life, people who work in these professions have been there for me (nurses too) and I value their contributions to our communities and my life personally. The fact that they work hard and provide an important service for which they are often under-appreciated (look at what CEOs of failing financial organizations make) is not justification for continuing to use police flaggers. However, public safety is a good argument for continuing the practice, which is why I support the governor’s compromise. It is a good thing to have 20 more cops on busy streets due to road details; it is a waste of money to have them on roads with little-to-no traffic or crime–just to increase their paychecks. Let’s pay a fair wage to begin with and use their services wisely for what they are trained to do.

   I’m tired of folks being afraid to make sensible changes because of powerful unions, some of whom have taken that power and abused it as management has done to them in the past. Let’s just try to do the right thing for our communities; we must work together, especially during these difficult times.

   As far as our schools, I’m sorry you felt you had to move your children to parochial schools, and I can’t guess the reason, but I’m sure it works for your family. My children have been in Lowell public schools for 12 years, and in that time I have worked very hard to make these schools better (last four years on the school committee). I wouldn’t do this work if I didn’t see those efforts making a difference. We are not perfect by any means, but we are doing a better job with curriculum, facilities, safety, and special education, and yes, we still have a long way to go. My work on the school committee is my approach to community service, and I am honored to contribute to my city this way, but it does not define me nor limit my ability to speak out on other issues. BTW, I do not plan to run for city council.

3. 3 On September 24th, 2008, kpemscott said:

   “My kids have been moved from Lowell public schools to parochial ones.”
   Can you guess why madam school committee member?

   1)You wanted them to learn how to memorize words, learn proper posture while sitting at their desk, and learn that school is a chore?

   2) You had nothing better to do with the tuition money?

   3) You thought they would get a good sales education with the constant fundraisers that they do?

   4) You liked the bobby socks?

   Please explain officer why the schools that my children are at are not appropriate. Maybe we should raise your taxes and cut your overtime to provide more funds for the public schools.

4. 4 On September 24th, 2008, kpemscott said:

   Oh by the way I am for keeping police details! Please do not act as though your child is getting a better education just because their school starts with Saint….

5. 5 On September 26th, 2008, coreythecop said:

   Hi Kpemscott,
   Your points about Catholic school are well noted, funny and true… but negatives I’d rather accept. Let’s just say it was a very informed decision. I didn’t mention I worked at the Lowell School department for 7 years before becoming a police officer. The problems are varied and would truly take than this reply to consider. Let’s just say they keep tight lids. Problems = attention and if it’s not positive, it’s unwanted.

   In response to your reply, of course it would depend which school your kids go to. There are many schools in the city that are serious breeding grounds for youth gangs. This of course doesn’t affect only those who choose gangs; it also includes your son or daughters who also are subjected to the volatile atmosphere.

   Did you know, recent gang summits yield little to absolutely no PARENT involvement. Nine out ten of parents I speak to claim to have no idea that their kid is in a gang. Some claim there’s little they can do against adolescent rebellion and fight us at every turn in intervention efforts.

   I of course understand the administration is severely hampered with the important decision to or measures it actually takes for extreme case removal but Alternative schools if your not aware, are a whole NOTHER subject altogether.

   There’s a disastrous and widespread bullying issue pervading the entire school system.

   There are very, very big problems with understaffed mainstream SPED at some.

   They immediately need additional DARE and school resource officers.

   There’s been staff and principals who have stolen from schools to fund drug habits, smuggled contraband into state prisons and I won’t even mention a recent lascivious assault involving a Lowell high teacher.

   Lowell Public school teachers threaten to strike at every contract. And they’ll soon have a full time lobbyist and professional president.

   State Rep. Kevin Murphy represented four School Department assistant superintendents, one of whom is his wife and landed new contracts with pay raises, perks and benefits. Your elected school committee allowed it.

   For most outside the system the only attraction of Lowell High School is the Latin Lyceum and clustered class programs with promises to keep their kids out of “general population”.

   Let’s not spin here. Your schools aren’t OK.

   As for the police some feel should take the hit… our small Lowell patrol union isn’t even regionally affiliated now and represent ourselves. The PD has effectively forgone raises not considered cost of living increases since 9/11 in an effort to assist the city savings. We’ve reduced our overall budget in an effort to put additional cops on the street to fight rising crime in an ever deteriorating economy. We’ve cut overtime in some divisions over 2 years ago, we’re driving an ailing cruiser fleet and combat major crimes on grant funded resources.

   You need more information about you kid’s school and the PD.

   If you were standing next to me at our kid’s soccer games and asked, this is what you’d hear. I know it’s not peaches, poetry and parlee farms but… likely some stuff that should be seen on a school committee person’s web site.

   Don’t get me wrong. I’ve met Jackie and know people who know Jackie. She’s a very nice person, a little too liberal but struggles where others wouldn’t and I’ll give her that. She’s just wrong or misinformed.

6. 6 On September 28th, 2008, kpemscott said:

   Coreythecop,
   I sent my daughter to SJA last year and found the cirriculum to be quite under par. (my sister is a great teacher and she was disgusted by their memorization techniques) I have enrolled her this year at the J G Pyne and have found the staff and the parents to be quite invloved and the cirriculum much more engaging for a young child. I feel safe with her there and the moment I don’t we will have to move out of town because the safety and rules are great at the parochials but everything else in my oppinion is not good.

   “There’s a disastrous and widespread bullying issue pervading the entire school system. ” This is very true I already see this with the girls at an early age. My daughter already comes home and says “these girls told me not to talk to this girl” and we have to have the whole conversation on how would that make you feel and that we do not accept that behavior. I hope the public schools have a strict bullying policy. Will have to speak with the principal on that one.

   “Lowell Public school teachers threaten to strike at every contract. And they’ll soon have a full time lobbyist and professional president.”
   I went line item by line item and salary by salary in the budget and did not find being overpaid as an issue at all. My sister is a first grade teacher in a wealthier town and she makes over $20,000 more then the teachers here. If we want good teachers, and good officers we need to pay.

   “As for the police some feel should take the hit”
   yep I agree the police get crapped on everywhere. I do not know where the respect for them went. I disagree with flaggers and with cutting gang grants. I also do not like when people that are in public services seem to hang each other out to dry. I think that people have seen the police talking too much on cell phones or too each other on details and that they have taken advantage of the details. They have kind of dealt themselves a bad deal. Many also do not understand some police departments that refuse drug testing in their contracts.

   I imagine that the parochials are all run different. I have heard great things about ST. Loius and ST. Michaels so maybe I will look into them (with many more questions then when I went to SJA.)

   Thanks for the information

7. 7 On September 29th, 2008, Jackie said:

   Corey, if you think bullying isn’t pervasive in parochial schools or wealthy suburban schools, you’re deluding yourself. In fact, some of the most egregious cases are ones from the so-called “better” schools. What makes a difference with bullying is the leadership and commitment of the staff to thwart the problem and teach kids appropriate behaviors. In Lowell, we have been working hard on this issue and seeing tangible results and changes across the district. We are in the process of updating our policies, consequences and procedures; every school has a program against bullying.(Next safety subcommittee mtg is Oct. 9 at 7 pm and is open to the public.) As to your other list of complaints, I never claimed the district was perfect although your negativity seems excessive given my own experiences as an involved parent and hard-working sc member. Yes, we have a way to go but I would not have my children in our schools if I didn’t see that they are getting a good education. We are making progress every day, and we are offering our kids the best urban public education in the state (in 2007 ranked first for large districts in ELA and second in math). I’m not sure when you worked in the schools, but as a police officer I am sure you see more trouble makers than anything else. Just as a small percentage of folks commit crime in the city and the vast majority of people are hard-working and law-abiding, most of the children in our schools are good kids and most of the staff are caring professionals trying to make a difference in the life of a child.

8. 8 On September 29th, 2008, kpemscott said:

   “Just as a small percentage of folks commit crime in the city and the vast majority of people are hard-working and law-abiding, most of the children in our schools are good kids and most of the staff are caring professionals trying to make a difference in the life of a child.”

   So true Jackie. That is all I have seen. When I decided to pull my daughter from private school you certainly helped dispell the myth that Lowell Schools are just rotten for everyone. I have to say that I would now have to agree with you. I brought my child to an icecream social the other night at the J G Pyne and all I saw were great kids and great parents being involved in their childs education.