Dracut Forum

I missed the names of the two art students that were recognized at the School Committee meeting on Monday evening. One had brought some of his art work to display to the committee, the other’s was on display at a Transportation Authority building in Boston.

We were told one of these students was accepted to many prestigious art schools. This is another tip of the hat to our students and to Mr Grande’s fine arts departments.

Over at the Junior High, I am told that Holly Niedzwiecki is going to receive a “Make a Difference Award”  from the John F Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum for her work in organizing the Black History Month presentation at the library, as well as her work as President of the National Junior Honor Society at the Lakeview Junior High School.

She is one of 100 students across the state who will be receiving this award at a presentation at the JFK library later this month.

Congratulations to Holly, the club advisors, and the Lakeview JHS for another job well done on behalf of Dracut.

I’ve been on the phone a lot today (Thursdays are quiet days..) catching up with people and getting some feedback on this weeks posts.

I should first apologize, When I mentioned that Mike Miles donates his stipend to scholarships for at-risk youth, I should also have mentioned that Dr Mike McNamara donates his stipend to the Dracut Scholarship Foundation in the form of a Memorial Fund in the name of his brother Dennis McNamara. I knew that, but forgot to mention it. Sorry bout that Mike.

During discussions with them this week, each of these school committee candidates have committed to continue this practice as well if re-elected. After the 15th, when we know who the final challengers are, we’ll have to ask them the same question.

I later spoke with Selectman John Zimini as well. We had a good half hour discussion that got some issues out on both our parts.

John is adamant that the statement that he proposed doubling the Selectmen’s stipend was “a fabrication, a total lie.”

I went back and checked with my original sources (there were three who each individually told this to me) and they have repeated it.. and I understand at least one has told the same to a Lowell Sun reporter as well. I guess a story is on its way after all regarding the Tuesday Selectmen’s meeting.

During our discussion, we got into how we as individuals choose to support candidates.

John said that “I want to support and get people in who are independent thinkers, not accountable to any of us, and not controlled by anybody.”

Funny that, I hear almost the exact quote from the people on the “other side” all the time.

And I think both sides truly believe it.

Tags: May 2010, McNamara, Miles, Zimini

This Sunday, starting at 3:00 p.m., the Dracut Historical Society will once again be hosting a presentation by Dracut Junior High School Teacher Rebecca Duda.

This month’s topic will be on the Federal Census, with a special emphasis on Dracut’s historical census information.

Held at the Dracut Historical Society, at 1600 Lakeview Ave, this should be another great discussion on the history of Dracut.

I had to put up this clip of two of our Selectmen, Jim O’Loughlin and George Malliaros, as they discuss going to the last couple Dracut High School Basketball games in support of our kids (O’Loughlin may have been the jinx, though).

I just found the tangent discussion during the Board of Selectmen meeting to be entertaining, and a good sign that there is more to leading a town than cell phone towers and common victual’s licenses.

 

 Selectmen O'Loughlin and Malliaros on DHS Basketball: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags: DHS, Malliaros, O'Loughlin

During the Board of Selectmen’s meeting this evening, Selectman John Zimini made two proposals. One was to eliminate the annual gasoline reimbursement, and a second was to eliminate all pay to elected officials.

Although there was discussion on the first article, each article died for lack of a “second” to the motion.

Zimini’s reasoning was that because the town had asked all the unions to pass up their annual pay raises last year, it would be appropriate for the town leaders to do something similar. “We should take leadership on this,” he said.

Read the rest

Tags: Cox, DiRocco, Health Care Benefits, Malliaros, Miles, O'Loughlin, Pay, Selectmen, Zimini