By Dennis Shaughnessey, Lowell Sun

DRACUT — It sounds like a trip to some sort of theme park, but five Dracut students heading to Knoxville, Tenn., next month are serious about the national competition that involves problem solving and teamwork.

The Destination ImagiNation Global Finals, considered by educators to be the Olympics for creative thinkers, takes place May 26-29

DHS students Andrew Verras, Neil Morrissey, Sunny Costa, Willie Boag and Joey Campbell will compete against students from across the United States and more than 10 countries and provinces.
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The Lowell Sun, Letter to the Editor

I would like an opportunity to write about the recent controversy that has been generated by this newspaper as well as a member of the Board of Selectmen. The issue is a $17-per-week gasoline allowance that is received by the Board of Selectmen. However, the people of Dracut should not be fooled into believing for one moment that this is the real issue.

Selectman John Zimini, a supporter of a selectmen challenger, has suddenly become an advocate of repealing this stipend as a way of protecting the taxpayer. The truth of the matter is that Zimini would rather the voters of Dracut pay attention to the $17 stipend than the actions of his candidate and their group of supporters. Rather than focus on the group that drove Elaine Espindle from the superintendent’s office and replaced her with a hand-picked successor, they would want you to focus solely on the stipend. Rather than focus on the group of supporters who refused a multimillion-dollar grant from the state to provide senior housing to Dracut’s elderly, they want you to think only of the stipend. Rather than focus on this group that was willing to pay more than $180,000 in additional tax dollars to a Lowell businessman for a parcel of land to be used for a town park, they only want you to think of the stipend.

Voters beware. This is the beginning of what may be a campaign season filled with lies, smears, character assassinations and dirty politics. In fact it has already started. Ask yourself, as a voter why would a person want a seat on the Board of Selectmen so badly that he would resort to these tactics? Listen closely to the candidate that turns to negative campaigning and has his friends and supporters resort to gutter politics. They see a prize at the end of the line. It is the prize of picking the next town manager. For the chance to control that process, some of these people will stoop to any level. We have already seen the results of this group picking a superintendent; let’s not give them a chance at the town manager.

I have served as your selectman for the past 18 years and in that time I have learned many lessons. The most important has been that in tough economic times, such as the ones we’re in, the only way to survive is to have all your officials pull together. When I was first elected to board, the town’s library was closed, the Collinsville fire station was closed, and teachers, police, and firefighters were being laid off. The town’s bond rating was one step away from junk-bond status. We needed all the town officials to cooperate. The town’s fiscal well-being had to be our main priority. We not only came out of those dark days, we prospered. We need to be united in our efforts. Unfortunately, I don’t see that right now. I see an attempt to divide rather than unite. As long as we allow ourselves to be hoodwinked into believing the problem is a $17 gas stipend, we will all certainly be in trouble. I have never accepted town insurance and I have willingly not accepted the stipend in the past. For me, the troubling part is the attempt to deceive the taxpayers and voters.

JAMES M. O’LOUGHLIN

Dracut

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By Erin Smith, Lowell Sun

DRACUT — In less than a decade, the number of town employees making more than $80,000 annually has more than tripled.

Over that same period, Dracut has reduced the number of people collecting town salaries by about 20 percent. Last year, there were 900 people paid town salaries, compared with 1,082 people on the salary rolls at the start of the decade. Those numbers include full-time town employees as well as part-time Recreation Department, library and school workers paid less than $1,000 last year.

Town Manager Dennis Piendak said many of the salaries are set through negotiated contracts and are the product of longtime employees.

“We haven’t had a lot of turnover in the past few years,” said Piendak. “You’re also looking at the overall salaries, so there’s sometimes overtime and police details involved in that.”

More than half of the 57 town employees who earned more than $80,000 last year work at the Police Department. Many officers increased their overall take-home pay last year through police-detail work.

Those town employees earning salaries within the $80,000-$90,000 range have jumped significantly over the past several years. Last year, 28 town workers earned salaries within that range, while only seven Dracut employees earned that pay rate in 2000, according to salary lists published in the annual town reports.

The reports list the annual salaries, which were paid to employees from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, according to Town Treasurer Ann Vandal.

The number of town workers earning between $90,000 and $100,000 have more than doubled, from five employees earning that salary range in 2000 to 12 workers earning pay within that range last year.

In the past decade, the number of employees earning six-figure salaries has quadrupled.

In 2000, only four town employees earned more than $100,000 annually: former Superintendent of Schools Elaine Espindle, former Town Treasurer Joseph Harper Jr., former Police Chief Louis Panas and Police Officer Barry Lyons.

By last year, the number of town employees taking in six-figure salaries had jumped to 17, and 13 of those employees worked at the Police Department.

DRACUT SELECTMAN Bob Cox raised eyebrows in announcing that he will challenge incumbent state Rep. Collen Garry in the Democratic primary this fall.
Garry first won her House seat in 1995. Before that, she worked as an aide to state Rep. John Cox — Bob’s brother.
Conspiracy theorists have started rumors that its a set-up. that Garry will drop out at the last minute and pave the way for Cox to take the Democratic nomination unopposed.
“I hadn’t heard that,’ Cox told The Column. “I hate to say it. That’d be nice, but I don’t think that’s going to happen. I think Colleen’s in it to run. I’d be surprised if that happens.”
Garry also squashed the rumor.
Asked if she plans to leave the race, Garry replied: “No, absolutely not.. I’m not running for re-election. On a personal note, I am disappointed (Bob Cox) chose to run. It’s going to put a lot of our mutual friends in a tough situation.
Garry’s former boss, John Cox, donated a total of $200 to Garry’s campaign in 2002 and gave $100 to her campaign in 2007, according to state campaign-finance records.
There is no listing for any donation from Bob Cox to Garry. However Garry spent more than $700 in campaign money on a holiday party in 2004 at Coyle’s Roadhouse Tavern, the Dracut bar owned by Bob Cox.
Garry hosted a holiday cocktail party in December at the bar, spending $750 on refreshments, according to campaign records.
It may be safe to assume that Garry’s 2010 holiday party will be held elsewhere.

from: The Lowell Sun

By Erin Smith, Lowell Sun

DRACUT — The ongoing debate over affordable housing for seniors is fueling a competitive election for the Dracut Housing Authority this spring.

With Housing Authority Commissioner Thomas Salem’s decision not to seek re-election, two candidates have emerged for the single five-year term seat in the May 3 town election.

The Housing Authority became a lightning rod for controversy last year after the board defeated a plan to buy the 38 units at 1476 Mammoth Road, known as Louisburg Square, and turn the building into affordable housing for seniors.

Both candidates — Phil Thibault and Russ Taylor — predicted that affordable housing for the elderly will be on voters’ minds this election season. (more…)

By Erin Smith, Lowell Sun

DRACUT — State Rep. Colleen Garry could be facing a primary fight to keep her seat this fall.

Selectman Robert Cox has taken out nomination papers to challenge Garry in the Democratic primary, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.

Garry, who is seeking her ninth term representing the 36th Middlesex District, welcomed the competition.

“Well, you know, anyone can run, and certainly I’m running for re-election,” said Garry. “We’re going to run on our record. When people see my stance on taxes and what I’ve done for the district, I think the choice will be clear.”

Cox said his family has a long history with Garry’s family and the race is not a personal attack against her.

“A lot of good people in Dracut and Tyngsboro have offered to help me, and that is very gratifying,” Cox said. “It’s just that I think fresh ideas might be needed on Beacon Hill and I may be in a position to provide those new ideas.”

Cox, who owns Coyle’s Roadhouse Tavern on Broadway Road, was reached while working at the pub yesterday. He said he would have plenty to say about the race at a later date.
(more…)

By Erin Smith, esmith@lowellsun.com

DRACUT — It was less than 24 hours after the candidates on the town ballot became official and School Committee member Mike Miles wasted no time in accusing political opponent May Paquette of running for office to help her sister become the new school superintendent.

“The voters once again are going to have to decide if they want a School Committee member who’s going to be the boss of her sister,” Miles said. “I think it’s all about May and her family helping her sister. I think that’s the only reason she’s running again. I do it for the right reason, I think. I don’t have any family members working here.”

Incumbents Miles and Michael McNamara are facing a challenge from Paquette, a former School Committee member, in the May 3 race for two committee seats with three-year terms.
(more…)

By Erin Smith, esmith@lowellsun.com
Updated: 03/16/2010 06:35:53 AM EDT

DRACUT — School officials said they would still consider closing an elementary school or hiking bus fees if state funding is lower than expected next school year.

“As far as I’m concerned, it’s still on the table,” School Committee member Michael McNamara told the Finance Committee last night about closing the Parker Avenue Elementary School.

School Committee Chairman Matthew Sheehan told the town’s financial watchdogs that the closure could save the School Department $800,000 but would likely increase class sizes at other elementary schools.
(more…)

By John Collins and Robert Mills, Sun Staff
DRACUT — The stipend-stopper was stymied.

Selectman John Zimini’s motions to get the five-member board to stop accepting its yearly $2,000 stipends and $934 gas allowances failed at Tuesday night’s meeting for lack of a second.

The other four selectmen labeled Zimini’s action a transparent “political ploy” to make them look bad.

“I find it highly insulting that somebody makes an issue of this,” said board Chairman George Malliaros. “If you expect people to become selectmen for nothing, you’re going to be disappointed in the quality of the candidates you get for the office.”

Selectman Joe DiRocco said, “John Zimini is not going to tell the rest of the board what they are or are not going to do. If he feels so strongly, then he should just turn his (stipend) back in as an individual.”

Malliaros and DiRocco claim Zimini wants to paint the board as selfish to boost the campaign of selectman-candidate Brian Bond, whom Zimini is publicly endorsing over incumbents Malliaros and Selectman James O’Loughlin in the May 3 election.

“Hopefully, people can see through John Zimini,” said DiRocco.

Zimini said there’s nothing “political” about forgoing stipends as a both a practical and symbolic demonstration of leadership in difficult economic times.

“When is it ever a bad thing to be protecting the taxpayer?” Zimini asked a Sun reporter yesterday. “When did it become ‘political’ to say to your town employees who have gone without raises, or taxpayers who are struggling to make ends meet every day, ‘We know what you’re going through?’

Added Zimini, “To me, that $2,900 stipend is not that important. Maybe it is to Mr. Malliaros.”

Malliaros said those towns that don’t pay stipends cannot expect to get “qualified candidates” to serve — as other area towns recognize.

“In checking other towns, I’ve found that Tewksbury’s selectmen chairman is paid $5,000 and the other members get $4,000,” said Malliaros, a 31-year practicing attorney, who is not bashful about stating the professional expertise he brings to the position.

“Personally, I can point out $50,000 in the last three years that I’ve sacrificed due to a possible conflict of interest with my work as a selectman,” he said.

Zimini called Malliaros’ stance on stipends “baloney.”

“So you’re telling me the only reason Mr. Malliaros is there is because of the stipend? That’s ridiculous,” Zimini said.

“Quality people get involved in community service every day that don’t get paid,” he added. “Do we have less-quality people running our baseball leagues because they don’t get paid, or Planning Board? They are the epitome of public service because they don’t get paid. And that’s what we should be doing on our Board of Selectmen, taking the lead by saying we won’t take the $3,000.”

Selectman Bob Cox was chagrined Tuesday that the board didn’t adopt his compromise on the stipend issue.

“My suggestion was to suspend it, rather than eliminate it so it didn’t affect future boards,” said Cox, who believes the stipend is justified.

“We don’t even know if the state cut in local aid that’s been assumed will come through. If the need comes down, and there is a requirement to do something drastic, OK, fine,” Cox added. “But for (Zimini) to just make a random statement to grab headlines doesn’t seem right or fair to me.”

Zimini said he intends to bring the stipend to a vote on the floor of Town Meeting in June. He is angered by the other board members’ criticism that he is simply “grandstanding” and doesn’t truly care about the taxpayers.

“The reason people don’t get involved in politics is because of the political tactics these gentlemen spew,” said Zimini. “They make everything personal. Well, they picked on the wrong guy because I’m going to do what I think is right for the town.”

O’Loughlin could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Tyngsboro is among a few Massachusetts towns that have suspended stipends for selectmen. Beginning in 2005 and continuing through 2010, Tyngsboro selectmen, citing their respect for the taxpayers’ struggles in a poor economy, have renewed their decision not to accept a $1,200 yearly stipend that was paid to each board member in previous years, Tyngsboro board Chairman Rich Lemoine said.

In Lowell, city councilors receive $15,000 yearly (the mayor, $19,000) and School Committee members, $6,000.

John Collins can be reached at jcollins@lowellsun.com. Robert Mills can be reached at rmills@lowellsun.com.

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