“Selectman O’Loughlin has been in that seat for 18 years. He just feels entitled to be there.” – Brian Bond
I guess we won’t be looking for an election based on issues.
Last year we had a pretty ugly race, emphasizing the differences of opinion throughout the town and creating some real personality conflicts that continue to this day. Every meeting of the selectmen now contains at least one use of the gavel to calm the “discussion” down.
Starting your campaign by saying someone else has been there a long time and feels “entitled” to the seat, as Bond did in yesterday’s Lowell Sun article, pushes aside the fact that it was the voters who put the man in that seat… not a machine.
You would think that the Scott Brown campaign would wake people up to focus on the issues of the moderate independent voters. Jobs, reducing regulation and red-tape, supporting businesses and stopping the growth of government at all levels are what’s being called for these days. Nobody wants an election based on petty bickering.
O’Loughlin said he refuses to be “baited into any sophomoric arguments” with his opponents.
Lets hope it stays that way. He has a tendency to slide over the edge sometimes too, but at least he’s taking the high road at this point.
Pete Wilde mentioned at least one good issue (hydrants in East Dracut), but it was a convenience issue responding to a recent fire. A local business man, I hope Wilde will speak more to how the town could support businesses like his and other startups throughout the town.
George Malliaros held the committee together throughout the last year, and that was no small task.
Our town continues to be an example to others in how not to overspend and grow out of control. Its the leadership provided by this board, supporting the manager’s administration that did that.
George had to have the wisdom of Solomon last year to hold back the two sides on the Louisburg project fight. He did that well, and will probably be rewarded for it.
The other races are quiet so far, with Mike Miles and Dr Mike McNamara still unchallenged.
PJ Mercier has announced a run for the housing spot being vacated by Tom Salem. Talk is still out there that Jack Lyons may join that race. Lyons would be a difficult candidate to beat. DJ Deeb’s announced (in another venue) personal support for Mercier is probably not a good thing at this point for PJ, as the voter’s distaste for Deeb could extend to Mercier. It would probably be best to back-burner that connection quickly.