Category: Uncategorized
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Promise 4: Continue rebuilding our city streets
The city has made really good progress in recent years at rebuilding the streets. The 18 streets paved in the past fiscal year and the 14 planned for this year is an accomplishment! However there is no question that roads are still one of the city’s top problems. It is too bad that Monroe and…
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Promise 11: Resist any council vote that hasn’t had citizen input
I have attended many council meetings and the mayor and team do a good job of making citizens aware of upcoming votes. One perfect example is Mayor Mike DeVore’s desire to hold two public meetings on the sale of the property at 990 N. Washington, adjacent to Scout Park. Those meetings were well publicized and…
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Promise 2: Treat all Citizens Equally; No Bias
All citizens in our country should be treated equally in every respect. Whether it is your freedom of speech, religion, views on government, access to work and housing and many others you deserve fair treatment. Each citizen of Lowell has an important say in the workings of the city and how their tax dollar is…
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Promise 12: Be Watchful of the City Tax Rate
When I began my city council campaign, a number of people told me that they didn’t understand why our city taxes are high. They are among the highest in Kent County. This issue easily came to mind as I was creating my promises. Promise 12 started as trying to reduce the city millage while maintaining…
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Promise 18: Support New Events to Bring People to Lowell
I have really enjoyed seeing the growth in downtown events the past few years. My wife and I have helped by bringing the Ability Weavers purpose to the Riverwalk festivals, Markets on Main and Christmas Through Lowell. We also hosted a Weaving Fair in the downtown on Riverside Drive for the past three years which…
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Benefits of Lowell Light and Power
After learning about Lowell Light and Power this week, I am changing my Promise 15. I am no longer concerned with their pension liabilities or anything else frankly about LLP. I’ll have a much better Promise 15 regarding Housing shortly. But more about LLP…. Charlie West, LLP’s general manager, was kind enough to meet with…
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Promise 3: Explain my votes: Not just yes or no
I have attended many council, DDA, and planning commission meetings and often the council members explain why they are voting in such a way. Cliff Yankovich did this well at the last council meeting by explaining that a vote for rezoning the Rollaway property was not a vote to approve Copper Rock’s proposal. His vote…
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Promise 21: Preserve and improve our parks and green space
Lowell is fortunate to have excellent parks and a great team of people that keep them maintained. My wife Beryl and I regularly walk in the fairgrounds park and have enjoyed crochet at Richards park. My daughters enjoyed Creekside park regularly when they were young, and I fully support the current plans to rebuild this…
Eric Bartkus Lowell City Council 