As one city councilor resigns and a new city councilor is appointed, perhaps it's time for the citizens of Lowell to examine where our city government stands.

As the contract of the current city manager looms, there's no question it will be a hot topic in next year's City Council race. In addition, a low turnout in the last municipal election show signs of voter apathy toward city government. So in my opinion, the issue of our city's form of government along with voter participation should become part of the public discussion now. As a concerned citizen, I ask my fellow citizens: Are professional management and the Plan E form of government here in Lowell serving us well and should they continue to govern our future?

Proponents of Plan E say that by design, the city manager is above the political fray, is held accountable and managed by the City Council. The city manager's position is expected to be held by someone who has been educated, trained and skilled in municipal operations and therefore can manage better than an elected city chief administrator.

Perhaps that is true in towns across the state, but here in the city of Lowell ... I think not. I have no personal ax to grind with the current city manager, but the evidence proves he, his office and his predecessors have had no choice but to operate at ground zero in Lowell politics. The accountability of the city manager is in the hands of nine (really five) part-time councilors, rather than the residents of the city.

In regard to management of the city's operations, the evidence is clear that several departments have had very difficult challenges.


I believe the management issues in various departments have less to do with the current city manager, as a whole, as it does in general with the actual position of city manager. The history, longevity, general skepticism and patience over time with the city manager's position proves that it's a temporary position for anyone, regardless of who he or she is and what he or she has accomplished.

Under a Plan A form of government, a mayor would be elected and held accountable by the people. An elected mayor would represent the city in a capacity that the current form of government does not allow. A mayor would serve as a credible representative to the business community both inside and outside the city. Most importantly, the people can elect or fire the mayor if they like or dislike the direction of the city.

Too much is at stake. Do we continue to be a city that's thankful to be treading water? Or do we, the electorate, become proactive in building the road to our future?

It's time to support city councilors and recruit candidates who would advocate and are willing to change our form of government to a progressive Plan A form of government. It's time that the entire city, not just one dominant neighborhood, participates in elections. We need positive change, activism and progress ... so let's start now.

About the author: John MacDonald lives in Lowell and is vice president of corporate strategies and communications for Lupoli Companies of Lawrence.