Sometimes, it’s just fulfilling when you write something that some people claim is “way off” and it turns out correct: Last Sunday January 4th I noted:
“Some rumblings claim Gitschier will have 6 votes after a couple rounds after allegedly “promising” to support Vesna 2 years from now?????”
Round 2 it happened! (I know, even a broken clock is right twice a day!)
I feel sad that I have to remind some citizens/voters/supporters of councilors that ONLY the City Council has a vote to select the mayor.
A non-binding referendum suggested the public wants a say, but the past two councils, with the ironic exception of Gitschier (and Councilor Corey Robinson), ignored that vote and refused to make any changes, leaving it to the councilors.
Calling councilors to express your preference is one thing. Allegedly calling a councilor’s wife, mother, or any other family member to lobby them is absurd and stupid! Almost as dumb as any councilor thinking or stating a fellow councilor would want his/her supporters to do that!
Speaking of absurd and stupid, here are the top 5 off the wall comments I’ve heard regarding the selection and new Mayor’s remarks:
- Can McDonough even vote for Mayor?
- Did Supt. Skinner have any “influence” over LPS teacher McDonough’s choice/vote for Mayor?
- This was a “WIN” for the Martin /Gallagher group!
- Hope Gitschier notices that the commitment of some of his supporters for Mayor comes with a very short expiration date.
- One, you don’t get to pledge transparency while making back-room deals and two, Gitschier thanking city workers now that he’s Mayor is like the Captain of the Titanic thanking the iceberg. You know he doesn’t mean it.
Bonus Quote: Gitschier and Councilor Vesna Nuon should wear step counters. They will get a lot of steps in every time Gitschier has to step down to talk on every motion like he has been!
Bonus Bonus Quote: Hope McDonough enjoys his only term. A lame duck already!
Is it everything old is new again or the times they are a changing?
I’ve been laughing all week about how some people are shocked, shocked I tell you, about the way the vote went. We’ve been spoiled and since 2016 knowing who the mayor would be by at least the day before. This year, Mayor Gitschier ran an old fashioned under the radar campaign for Mayor and was successful.
I think Councilor John Descoteaux was more shocked and surprised by Councilor Nuon getting the Vice Mayor position than Mayor Rourke was not getting a 6th vote. Especially since two of those that voted for Nuon had pledged their support to Councilor Descoteaux weeks ago.
Erick Gitschier is so NOT part of ANY group; Gallagher/Martin -Cox/Golden – Nuon/Howard. Like me he ticks everyone off equally.
Lowell isn’t alone…Did you happen to follow the process to elect the President of the Boston City Council?
“In sudden twist, Liz Breadon clinches Boston City Council presidency ”
In my view, the message that was sent by both the voters and this “new” council is; change is happening. Three new councilors elected, and a “unique” coalition formed for Mayor.
Hello it’s me…Congratulations to Dave Conway for becoming Vice Chair of the School Committee. Like many, Dave had dreams of being Mayor, but now can at least fill in for him.
Bye Bye Bye …Best wishes to Danielle McFadden who announced this week that she will be leaving the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce to assume the role of Chief Marketing Officer at Incompass Human Services. A great loss for the Chamber and a great addition for Incompass.
Do you hear, what I hear? I wonder if the Lowell School Committee heard this statement by Mayor Wu during her inauguration.
“We refuse to accept that accessing high quality education means crisscrossing our children all over our city rather than ensuring that, in every corner of Boston, the best school is just down the block,” Wu said.
If Boston is thinking about going back to neighborhood schools, why doesn’t the Lowell School Committee start looking at it for 2028 when the existing Freshman Academy should be empty and available if needed for a Centralville middle school. I happen to know of a transportation “Expert” who now has more free time than he had planned. P.S. Let Jim Hall set the salary and get the contract signed, so you don’t fudge it up again!
My Baby wrote me a letter… USPS Postmark Rules Change: What You Need to Know
Those of you who utilize the Vote by Mail option need to be aware of the following: the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) implemented new procedures for dating mail on December 24, postmarking letters and packages with the date they are processed at a postal facility rather than when they are dropped off in a mailbox — a shift that could affect whether time-sensitive mail is considered on time.
That means a tax return dropped in a big blue mailbox on April 15 or a vote-by-mail ballot sent on Election Day could still be marked late — risking IRS penalties or a rejected vote — because USPS now postmarks when mail is processed rather than when it is sent.
Stepping out,..Best wishes to Jake Vitali , Legislative Aide to Representative Howard, who is weighing a run for the Board of Selectmen in Billerica.
Jake is a former writer for the Lowell Sun, contributor here at InsideLowell, fill-in radio host on WCAP. When I reached out to Jake he said: “I’m humbled by the people who have reached out and encouraged me to consider serving on the Select Board. It means a lot to me to hear from community members who believe I could make a positive difference in our community. Billerica is my hometown, and any opportunity to give back and help move the town forward is a conversation I’m willing to have.”
Ease on down, ease on down the road https://www.bostonherald.com/2026/01/05/beacon-hill-hears-driving-reduction-bill/
Beacon Hill bill to reduce driving in Massachusetts – An Act Aligning the Commonwealth’s Transportation Plan with its Mandates and Goals for Reducing Emissions and Vehicle Miles Traveled (S. 2246) was filed by state Sen. Cynthia Stone-Creem (D-Norfolk & Middlesex)
So if you live in Pepperell, Chelmsford, Dracut, Tyngsboro, Groton or West of Townsend, the State wants to punish you if you drive to Waltham, Woburn, Boston to work or have plans to vacation on the Cape.
Why do people wonder why we have so many Ballot Questions that deal with real issues? The people we elect want to punish you for choosing to live in the suburbs but work in the major business centers? Or where you can find work?
Ever try taking the bus or train from Lowell to Marlboro?
5 responses to “Nutter’s Sunday Notes (January 11, 2026)”
Neighborhood schools is the biggest no-brainer in the history of no-brainers. The “it can’t be done” crowd should be ignored.
The wealthy Beacon Hill crowd just wants to make it either too expensive or too difficult for ordinary people to leave their home towns.
“Punish you” 🤣
The paranoia is ridiculous. Are you an anti-fluoride activist, too?
Gerry was for neighborhood schools before he flipped to against neighborhood schools to fit in with the downtown crowd to get elected to the school committee where he flipped back to being for neighborhood schools before, a real political stalwart
No need to Lie Tames… I’ve always been for neighborhood Schools! I supported downtown because of cost and it is centrally located and accessible for more neighborhoods than having it on the outskirts.