By: John MacDonald – March, 2018 When will Senator Donoghue work on and support bills that really matter to the people of the 1st Middlesex? Donoghue’s latest proposed bill that pushes “Mass Made” products is yet another example of a solution looking for a problem. On the face of the bill, Massachusetts consumers knowing whether […]
By: John MacDonald – February, 2018 Since I have announced my candidacy against incumbent Eileen Donoghue for State Senate of the 1st Middlesex, it’s fair to say that I haven’t launched a traditional approach to campaigning. I rely on facts. Unlike many campaigns that I’ve seen, all the facts on Eileen are clear and verifiable […]
By: John MacDonld – Nov. 2017 As predicted since the inception of the debate surrounding the destiny of Lowell High School, the City of Lowell is divided. As municipal Election Day looms, the debate of where Lowell High School will welcome students for the next 100 years has turned its residents against one another. Whether […]
By: John MacDonald – October, 2017 By a clear majority, the Belvidere neighborhood in Lowell spoke with a loud voice and once again dominated the direction of Lowell. The Preliminary election of Tuesday September 26th should be a wakeup call, but it’s not a surprise. The rest of Lowell who proclaimed it wants a new […]
By: John MacDonald – 8-24-17 The delay by the MSBA, due to pending litigation (Thanks to Ed Kennedy and the Lowell School Committee) to table the vote to move the LHS project to Cawley has sent us all a clear message. Mayor Kennedy, the majority of the Lowell School Committee, Senator Eileen Donoghue and a […]
By: John MacDonald – August, 2017 On Saturday, August 26th from 11am to 6pm, Veterans Assisting Veterans (VAV) will be hosting its very first Veterans Rally and Battle of the Bands. The event will be held at Holy Ghost Park in Lowell, MA at 65 Village Street, right next to Cawley Stadium and off 495. […]
By: John MacDonald – June, 2017 I attended the controversial special meeting at Lowell City Hall on Tuesday June 20th. As a witness to history I watched the vote for the future location of Lowell High School (LHS) take place at approximately 12:25am. After six hours of prepared remarks from seventy registered speakers that varied […]
By: John Macdonald – May, 2017 The question of where a new High School in Lowell should be built (or if it should be built) is bringing the worst out of politicians, neighbors and former friends. What’s becoming as close to a civil war as you could possibly get within the borders of Lowell, is […]
By: John MacDonald – April, 2017 Several months ago, the Lowell Veterans Commission was tasked by the Lowell City Council to find a way to recognize Walter Bayliss. Mr. Bayliss is a Vietnam Veteran, a tireless advocate and volunteer for his fellow veterans and the citizens of Lowell. The Veterans Commission did just that and […]
By: John MacDonald – Dec. 2016 As the rumor mill usually does in Lowell, it has worked overtime, through the magic of social media and not to be left out of a national discussion, the topic of being a “Sanctuary City” has reared its ugly head. As one might surmise from my series of articles […]
By: John MacDonald – Oct. 2016 On September 27th, without fanfare or discussion, the Lowell City Council approved raises for themselves and the Lowell School Committee. Currently the City Council each make a stipend of $15,000 per year and the School Committee members make $6,000 per year. Now, with a swift vote and no discussion, […]
By: John MacDonald – August, 2016 On Wednesday, July 20th I was honored that my friend, Valley Patriot publisher, Tom Duggan, asked me to speak at the Pro Police Rally at Methuen High School. Tom had mentioned my involvement with Veterans Assisting Veterans (VAV), which is a 501 C3 nonprofit, 100% volunteer organization that helps […]
By: John MacDonald – July, 2016 The reality of UMass Lowell and its significant impact on the City of Lowell has hit hard lately. UMass Lowell recently purchased Perkins Park Residences and Lofts for a reported $61.5 million dollars , a purchase that has infuriated much of the residents in Lowell, the City of Lowell […]
By: John MacDonald – June, 2016 Veterans Assisting Veterans (VAV) has decided that the welcome home for our Vietnam Veterans is long overdue. On Saturday, September 17, 2016, VAV has organized a concert in honor of our Vietnam Veterans to be held at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium. The VAV board of directors decided that there […]
By: John MacDonald – April, 2016 For generations Lowell, Massachusetts has been a city in America that is known to willingly accept immigrants from around the world. Immigrants built the city, lived here and often became successful. Legal immigrants made huge positive contributions as they assimilated to the city and the United States of […]