Besides Paul Tsongas and Marty Meehan, who else belongs on Lowell’s political Mount Rushmore?
Teddy Panos
April 10, 2026
Watch for new podcasts posted every week and subscribe to our InsideLowell YouTube channel to be notified instantly
Enjoy the latest from InsideMedia
Search Inside Lowell for past episodes on
any Popular Podcast Player
Proudly sponsored by
Leave a question for comment and we'll do our best to answer them
or text your question to 978-5-INSIDE
The latest updates from InsideMedia direct to you
Add me to the InsideMedia Email List
Lowell’s renaissance has been well-documented as having several key parts: Federal, state and local governments working in unison; a strong public education sector, including Middlesex Community College and UMass-Lowell; a thriving business community; and a strong non-profit sector. Another key element is the media. Over the years journalists at The Sun and WCAP have worked hard to provide the role of watchdog while also entertaining readers and listeners with features, public service announcements and community news coverage. For a multitude of reasons, however, local news coverage has shrunk. That’s why the Panos effort is so key: Another eye on City Hall, town halls, the business community and various non-profits will keep all leaders, whether elected or appointed, on their toes. That’s a good thing. Not that it needed any legitimacy, but Inside Lowell serves up an even stronger hand with Dan Phelps and Patrick Cook, both former Sun journalists, on board. Good luck to the new venture!
100 Merrimack St, Suite 410, Lowell MA 01852
© 2026 InsideMedia Corporation, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The power of WE. So, Lowell currently leads Massachusetts in Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) approvals under the state's Affordable Homes Act, “by-right." While the state stripped the city's power to issue arbitrary denials, local leaders, WE, still retain full authority to MANAGE how these homes impact the city. A fair and reasonable compromise going forward does not mean breaking state law or trying to ban housing, instead, it means using our explicitly protected local powers to protect the neighborhoods. WE can still enforce strict setback requirements to protect neighbor privacy, utilize objective site plan reviews to guarantee safety, mandate environmental reviews to prevent backyard flooding, and implement uniform design rules so new ADUs seamlessly blend into the historic character of places like Belvidere. State law did not destroy our local standards, it destroyed discrimination against multi-generational families and seniors while keeping our safety and infrastructure safeguards completely intact. By shifting from outright opposition, and pivoting to smart and strategic regulation, Lowell can continue to build necessary housing without sacrificing the quality, character, peace, or unique identity of our existing neighborhoods, just by using the power of WE!"
- Jeanne Balkas