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The Centralville Neighborhood Action Group (CNAG) did a good job hosting tonight’s City Council Candidates Forum, with decent turnout, plenty of snacks, and a quality sound system. Dick Howe’s blog has some impressions from Mark, and I’m sure LiL and The Sun will also cover the event (both a reporter and photographer were present). Because I have my own forum here, I’m going to post about one moment that got to me.

That moment was when Armand Mercier responded “No” to the question about whether he would support the meals tax, adding that he felt it would not bring in significant revenue. There was no follow-up question asking Councilor Mercier what further cuts he planned to make to city government since the budget he approved a few months ago was based on revenue from that tax. (City funding for the schools was also based on that revenue, so without it, the schools also will have to cut more—about $400,000 more!) Earlier this evening, Mercier described himself as a voice of reason with a common sense approach, yet his reason for not supporting a meals tax (not enough revenue generated) and his reason for voting NOT to hold a primary (to save a measly $40K) don’t sound like common sense or even remotely reasonable to me.

A final note on the meals tax: a .75 increase on a $50 dinner bill would cost a diner an additional 38 cents—spare change when dining out—yet revenue sorely needed to fund local services like schools, police and fire. Postcript: I’m hearing there are many councilors taking Mercier’s position, which, given today’s economy, I can understand not wanting another tax, but then why did they vote for a budget based on revenue from it?

It’s no secret that over the years I have clashed with The Sun (and them with me) on various issues. In fact, here is a perma-link to a piece I wrote in October 2003—long before I ever imagined running for school committee. Since I’ve been on the school board, of course, our disagreements have continued in frequency and intensity—at times bordering on obsessive (on their part, not mine). Either they were unhappy regarding a particular vote I took and slammed me about it repeatedly, or I was chastising them for some issue regarding their coverage of Lowell schools. One thing, however, has remained constant: No matter how harsh my words, The Sun editors have always given me space and published my criticisms in a timely manner. As I link to my op-ed in today’s Sun, I want to formally acknowledge and thank them for that. It has not been my experience with other print media, such as the Worcester Telegram and the Boston Globe, who also have prompted me to write at times, but who have not been as generous with space. Honestly, thanks for giving me ink to share my views with your readers.

If interested, this page contains a collection of published op-eds and speeches. Of course, since starting a blog, most of my views have been expressed electronically here.

What does it mean when more than half the schools in Massachusetts fail to make adequate yearly progress (AYP) as the Globe reported yesterday? How about when schools in Acton, Billerica, Dracut and Wilmington join the list, as noted in The Sun? Perhaps it means all the schools are terrible and should be punished, as some would have us think; or maybe it means the standards are unrealistic—that most schools will fall short inevitably given our current system of measurement. The federal No Child Left Behind Act requires all students achieve proficiency by 2014. For example, if a school is at 85 percent proficiency today, each year three percent more students must achieve proficiency to reach 100 percent in five years. If the three percent isn’t reached for two consecutive years, the school has not made AYP. Subgroups (race, English learners, special education) must also make required progress, depending on their starting points, to get to 100 percent proficiency by 2014. Not only is this goal a difficult, moving target, each year different kids are tested and compared, and individual student progress is not tracked.

Consider these results in light of Governor Patrick’s recent education proposals, one of which is to lift the cap on charter schools. Aside from the fact that his plan does nothing to remedy charter-school funding inequities, more than half the state’s charter schools also have not made AYP for two consecutive years even though they have the advantages of “choosiness” regarding students and union-free staffing. In his plan to increase their number, the governor claims: “Only charter school operators with successful track records will be allowed to open or expand…and they must make meaningful efforts to attract, enroll, and retain low-income students, students scoring sub-proficient on the MCAS, English Language Learners, special-education students…” etc (my bold). As a school board member in an urban district where everyone is welcome, not due to “meaningful efforts” but because it’s the law, the language requiring charter schools make an effort to accept the same challenge is just too namby-pamby for me.

More on Patrick’s other plan, Readiness Schools, and Lowell student improvement in later posts.

Great news in the Boston Globe today regarding Lowell’s recycling program although you wouldn’t know it by the headline (Recycling doubles, but many left out). Yes, there are still many households, particularly apartment and condominium dwellers, that have been unable to participate in Lowell’s new recycling program, but the statistics from those who can participate are truly impressive: “Compared with the same six-month period last year, paper recycling has increased by 41.5 percent since March, while recycling of tin, aluminum, and plastic products increased by 53.2 percent…” Those are huge increases in a short time period and clearly demonstrate that the majority of Lowellians want to recycle.

The article focuses, however, on tenants who are not able to participate in the city’s program. One example shows how tenants had their private trash hauler include recycling as part of its disposal contract, which resulted in reducing waste by a third and ultimately saved money on disposal fees. This could be a solution for many of the multi-unit buildings left out of the city’s solid waste and recycling program. Overall, the city’s renewed focus on recycling is economically and environmentally smart, and kudos to all involved in continuing efforts to improve the program.

Tonight, the Lowell School Committee meets in Council Chambers, beginning at 7 p.m. and televised live on LTC cable station 10. The agenda includes two motions by me and two by Committee Member John Leahy. My motions are: 1. Request the Superintendent provide a report on the use of early-release time at Lowell High School, including specific activities, objectives and measureable results from last year as well as plans for the upcoming year. 2. Request the Superintendent provide a report updating the committee on the status of development of a new instrument for evaluating teachers, including copies of both the proposed and current evaluation instruments in the report.

John Leahy’s motions are: 1. Request that the Committee block off all Wednesdays for School Committee business whether it be a regularly scheduled School Committee meeting or a Subcommittee meeting. 2. Ask the Superintendent to set up a meeting with the appropriate department/departments for discussion on the hiring of a school maintenance position.

My family is full of sarcastic wise guys, particularly regarding political issues where we engage in loud, passionate disagreement that we don’t take personally. In that spirit, I share the following bumper stickers sent to me by my brother-in-law who is like a brother to me:

1. I’m REPUBLICAN, because we can’t all be on welfare
2. Don’t spread my wealth…spread my work ethic!
3. White, Straight Republican Male (How else can I piss you off today?)
4. You Think Health Care Is Expensive Now? Just Wait Till It’s FREE!
5. Why in the Hell should I have to press “1” for English?
6. REPUBLICANS: We work hard, so you don’t have to
7. So…how’s that whole “hopey-changey” thing working out for ya?
8. Annoy a Liberal. Help yourself.
9. Why should I pay for your health care?
10. Trickle Up Poverty

It’s sad, really. (How people I love and respect can be so misguided politically…)

Like any job, there are parts of being on the school committee that I don’t particularly relish–such as appearing live on television. (The camera just doesn’t capture my inner beauty.) I recognize, however, the value of talking about how we’re working to improve our schools and how important a quality education is to our children and our community. Television is a powerful tool for doing this, so whenever they invite me to participate in a show, I do. Around election time, it becomes particularly important to discuss your perspective and goals, and what makes you a good candidate. This afternoon will provide me with that opportunitiy, and I hope you’ll tune into “City Life,” a locally produced cable television show that is broadcast live on LTC Channel 8, weekdays from 4:00 to 5:30 pm. George Anthes, former WCAP radio talk show host, and Tom Byrne serve as co-hosts, with John McDonough as producer. If you haven’t seen the show, check it out this afternoon when I will be a guest from 4:30 – 5:30 pm. We’ll discuss Lowell schools and my campaign for re-election. (More on that later.)

This morning I witnessed a moving tribute to the victims and heroes of 9/11 at Lowell High School. The annual event includes the entire school via live broadcast on Lowell Educational Television. (You can watch the rebroadcast on cable station 22 during the following times: Tonight at 7:30 and 10 p.m., tomorrow at 8 and 11 a.m., Sunday at 11 a.m., and Monday at 5 p.m. ) Most of us remember where we were when we first heard about the hijacked planes crashing into the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and later a field in Pennsylvania. But there is something especially poignant about reliving those somber memories in the company of respectful young people. The Jr. ROTC honor guards, in particular, who surrounded us in the high school courtyard this morning, are always impressive. They stand straight and proud in smartly dressed uniforms, and are precise in their motions, whether it is marching in slow synchronization or unfolding and raising the flag at half mast. It is particularly poignant to consider the 9/11 tragedy in their presence, perhaps, because of their youth and diversity, and because they are a beacon of hope for a better tomorrow. We remember the day, the tears, and the pain. We remember those who lost their lives trying to save others, those who continue today without their loved ones, and those who work each day for a better world for us all.

I recently got into a battle over semantics with a Republican friend who questioned my use of the word “right” to describe health care for all (which is also how I feel about public education by the way). Anyway, this friend corrected my word choice, preferring the words “moral imperative,” which I allowed. During President Obama’s speech on health care last night, he referenced this letter from Senator Ted Kennedy that he received after the senator’s death. You can follow the link to read Kennedy’s entire letter, but here’s one paragraph that resonates for me (my bold): “And so because of your vision and resolve, I came to believe that soon, very soon, affordable health coverage will be available to all, in an America where the state of a family’s health will never again depend on the amount of a family’s wealth. And while I will not see the victory, I was able to look forward and know that we will – yes, we will – fulfill the promise of health care in America as a right and not a privilege.”

Maybe it is a core philosophical difference–the notion that everyone is entitled to quality health care–or maybe it is more about the details of how to make it happen without crippling our economy. But as we go forward to solve this complex issue, the discussion must center around how to make it happen as a goal worthy of our nation rather than a debatable premise. Whether you call it a moral imperative or a right, quality health care must be available to all Americans or we are not fulfilling the dreams of our founders.

“I read the news today, oh boy…” It’s been one of those days, but after driving home tonight and listening to WROR play one Beatles song after another, “I have to admit it’s getting better,” as I definitely felt my mood lifting. The Beatles tribute tonight was in honor of today’s release of digitally remastered versions of all their studio albums, from Please Please Me in 1963 to Let It Be in 1970. Listening to the music got me thinking about an article I just read in the Sept. 3, 2009 issue of RollingStone entitled “Why the Beatles Broke Up—The Inside Story.” (Apparently the article is too current for linking at this time, but it is an interesting read if you can get it.) I was in middle school when the band fell apart, but I remember thinking it was all Yoko Ono’s fault. According to RollingStone, it was much more complicated than that. Also worth noting in this issue are comments in the “Editor’s Notes” about a Pew Research Center study, which determined that the Beatles bridge the generation gap and appear to be universally liked by all ages. (Who in the 60s would have thought rock ‘n roll would help transcend generational distrust?) As I pulled into my driveway to the harmonizing sounds of this amazing band (along with my own, not-so-harmonizing voice) belting out “Ah, look at all the lonely people…” I felt myself transformed into a lighter, freer me, and I just had to stay and finish the song with a group who made an indelible mark on my life.