I am pleased to introduce the “Blog from the Office of the City Manager”. Upon assuming the position of City Manager, I made it a priority to use the technology and resources available to us to provide timely and relevant information as well as answering concerns and questions regarding the City and the operation of its government. It is my belief that our community is best served through transparent government. Since that time, we have made greater use of the City web page to provide access to important documents such as the City budget and various reports and plans. The City Manager’s responses to the City Councilor motions are easily accessible from the website. These new technologies supplement the more traditional means of communication including access to the newspapers such as the Lowell Sun and Boston Globe, regular radio appearances on the old and new WCAP as well as WUML, occasional op-ed articles in the Sun, cable access programs, meetings with various organizations including neighborhood groups, and business and non-profit associations.
Recently, I came across this quote in reference to blogging, “tell your story or someone will tell it for you” or more to the point, “blog or be blogged”. The blog is yet another facet in the full spectrum of communication this office has employed over the last year plus. Blogs provide immediacy to the flow of information, allow for an interactive exchange of ideas and ideally, elevate the discussion. I’ve gotten my toes wet in the information stream through monitoring and occasionally posting on some of our local blog sites such a www.leftinlowell.com, www.richardhowe.com and www.jackiedoherty.org as well as on the Lowell Sun’s community blog. These postings have been responses to issues raised on these sites in which I feel some additional information or perspective is warranted. Now, I feel is time to be proactive and jump in with a blog of my own.
The “Blog from the Office of the City Manager” will feature posts on various City issues, projects and programs. It will also be utilized to provide a means of presenting my perspective on various issues so as to give readers an understanding of the basis of certain actions and decisions that are subsequently undertaken by the Administration. Finally, I also hope to use this blog as a means of answering questions that are posed to me in the course of my activities believing if one person has a question it is likely that others do as well.
The goal of all of these new and prior efforts is to be open and accessible with the belief that more information regarding the affairs of the City can only benefit all of us as we move forward on so many important efforts as well as the more mundane issues of local government. Only in this way can we adequately insure that public discussions are fully productive, that resident and business concerns are fully addressed, and that City government is as fully open and transparent as possible. We hope to post regularly on the variety of topics that may concern the City of Lowell. Let us know what you think.
Great Idea,
Good Luck with the blog Mr. Manager.
Hi Manager Lynch,
I think this is a great idea. It is nice to see you reaching out to the citizens of Lowell. Good luck!!!
Thank you for further opening communication.
Let me pose a topic. On richardhowe.com blog there is some discussion about the loss of 70 jobs in the JAM area, and some of the pitfalls that may result from the Hamilton Canal redevelopment. The City and Trinity Financial are doing an outstanding job of considering public input in the planning phase of this significant project. However, there is some fear that the big picture policy may get lost in individual desires for this project, as well as the risk that Trinity may be forced to take the path of least resistance at the possible detriment to the City’s long term goals.
It would seem that the City Council should be actively participating in these discussions, considering both the desires of the citizens as well as the long term economic results of this work. Can we expect that a clear policy will evolve out of the current process, or is an additional effort required to set that policy and pull all the resources together that will be needed to be successful with it?
Nice job on your new Blog. Congratulations!
Couple questions to get you started on your Blog:
1.) How many condos are online in downtown Lowell as of today? And how many have come online in 2003?
2.) What is the overall percentage of owner occupied homes in the City of Lowell, as of today?
3.) In regards to downtown living, what is the current ratio of units that are subsidized vs. market rate housing?
Transparent government, what a concept! You join a slowly growing list of city and town officials across the country interested in keeping an open dialog with citizens. This is a great idea, in an era where discussion is becoming decentralized. Looking forward to hearing it straight from the horse’s mouth, so to speak!
I’ve added a new post to address Joe’s questions regarding the Adden furniture and Hamilton Canal issues.
I’m looking forward to this new effort to enhance communication. We’ll certainly be doing our best to keep the “blog” active with regular posrts and responses. I may struggle a bit with my “one finger” typing but let’s see how it goes. Thanks for all the positive comments.
Welcome to the Blogsphere Mr. Manager…can’t wait to have some fun with you on the radio about your new endeavor!
Oh, and when the sports topics come up, you can be sure to hear from this corner!
Hi, Mr. Manager,
Your idea of a blog from City Hall is great. This is another example of the new openness that you have brought to Lowell’s government. It’s so refreshing!
One thing, please correct the above url to read http://www.jackiedoherty.org.
Thank you!
Thank you Margaret and apologies to Jackie Doherty. The address has been corrected.
Thank you for this blog. This is one of the best new things I’ve ever seen come out of our local government.