Lowell’s First Look met individually with each of the candidates running for City Council who will appear on the ballot on Tuesday, November 5. There are three seats up for election by voters. The two who receive the highest number of votes will receive a four-year term and the person who receives the third highest number of votes will receive a two-year term.
Each week leading up to the election we will publish a profile on one candidate as well as an answer to one of six questions surrounding issues. Each candidate was given the same set of questions. Their responses each week will be published verbatim.
Do/did you support the decision to allow recreational marijuana businesses within the City of Lowell? What, if any, restrictions should be placed on these businesses?
Marty Chambers
I did not support this decision at first. However I set forth in good faith to set regulations up in planning commission and with the city to benefit both the city and all new business that this will bring. Restrictions have been addressed for this in planning commission meetings.
Jake Davenport
To be honest, I voted no on the proposal last November. I support medicinal use in most cases, but the effects of recreational use are more negative than positive. However, I am very much a believer in following the law, even when I may disagree with it, and recreational marijuana, in the legal sense anyways, should be allowed. On this issue, I think that the regulations put in place by the state and local ordinances are more than adequate.
Mike DeVore
I voted for it, personally. So did the majority of city residents. Unlike the rules for the medical side of it, the local governments have much, much more control over the recreational side. The planning commission did a great job of setting the parameters for businesses operating in the city. We are still working on the ordinances to regulate it. I believe there is a way to both foster the new businesses and regulate them so they fit with our overall community.
Danielle Ettinger
I support allowing recreational marijuana businesses within the City of Lowell. The only restriction or suggestion I have, is that where ever the business is located that its practices and customers not be a nuisance.
Cliff Yankovich
I was not on the Council, but I was in full agreement to allow such businesses in Lowell. First, because I was among the majority who voted “yes” last November. Like over 55% of those who went to the polls, I voted for Proposition 1 for a variety of reasons. But more importantly to me was that the Council FOLLOWED THE WILL OF THE VOTERS. The measure passed in Lowell by a very clear margin (close to 59/41 as I recall). I understand there are passionate people who voted against the measure, but their side was defeated and I would have been very upset had the Council gone against the will of the voters. (Can you say, “Nestle” and “Enbridge”?) We are working very hard to come up with a set of fair regulations to make sure marijuana businesses will be an asset to our community.
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