“Heading into my first term on the City Council in 2020, just weeks ahead of the COVID pandemic, it would have been impossible to predict the types of challenges our city would face. We took on those health and fiscal challenges without resorting to cuts or layoffs, and maintained our everyday services. Now, as we emerge from the worst of the pandemic, it is critical that we ensure an equitable recovery and come back stronger than ever.”
Hitting the Ground Running
In his first term on the Lowell City Council, John has proposed ideas that are making an impact.
Protecting Local Restaurants from Big Tech Fees: Successfully proposed an ordinance protecting Lowell restaurants from exorbitant fees charged by third-party delivery companies as they fought to stay afloat during the pandemic.
Answering the Call on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Successfully proposed an audit of city human resource practices, leading to the creation of a new city position to promote diversity, equity and inclusion within our workforce.
Quality Jobs & Training for Lowell Residents: Filed a motion, which passed unanimously, to create an ordinance ensuring job and apprenticeship opportunities for Lowell residents on city construction projects, and the establishment of hiring goals for women, veterans, and people of color.
Going Big on Arts & Culture: Pushed for the creation of large-scale murals throughout the city to make Lowell more vibrant and attractive to visitors, and we are now on our way with the passage of a citywide mural policy to streamline the permitting process and connect artists with building owners.
About John:
John first moved to Lowell in 2002 to attend UMass Lowell, where he gained a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Regional Economic & Social Development. Having grown up next door in Tewksbury, John always had an appreciation for Lowell’s diverse culture and history, gained through years of attending the Lowell Folk Festival and other cultural and sporting events in the city. It was an appreciation that only grew during his years attending UML. Upon graduating, John and his future-wife, Julie, both knew that Lowell was where they wanted to stay.
After college, John and Julie spent time living in Pawtucketville, the Acre, Downtown, and now in Belvidere, where they are raising three young children who are in or soon-to-be entering the Lowell Public Schools. Julie, who gained degrees in Community Health & Education and Nursing, is now a RN at Lowell General’s Cancer Center.
With a background in economic development policy and a family that was helped into the middle class through union jobs over multiple generations, John felt strongly that he wanted to work to strengthen the labor movement as a way to tackle growing inequality and to help other workers and families gain a foothold in the middle class. In 2006, John began working as an intern for the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, the state’s largest umbrella organization for labor, representing over 400,000 unionized workers throughout Massachusetts. He’s remained with the organization ever since, serving in roles including Chief of Staff and Legislative Director, in which he helped to pass numerous pro-worker pieces of legislation, including protections for temporary workers, domestic workers, a higher minimum wage, and the strongest state-level response to the anti-labor Janus Supreme Court decision in the country. He now serves as a Workforce Development Specialist and helps to coordinate the Dislocated Worker Assistance Program, which during the pandemic helped over 10,000 workers connect with Unemployment Insurance, pursue training opportunities, or find a new job.
John began his first term on the Lowell City Council in January of 2020.
Donate to John Drinkwater for Lowell City Council
A New Election System in 2021
For the first time in 2021, members of the Lowell City Council and School Committee will be elected under a district and at-large “hybrid” system.
Under the district and at-large “hybrid” system, the City Council will be expanded from nine to eleven members. The City will be divided into eight districts, with each district electing one member to the Council. Three City Councilors will be elected at-large. Each voter will select up to three at-large City Council candidates and one district City Council candidate on their ballot. For School Committee elections, there will be four districts (the eight districts would be combined into groups of two) with each district election one member, and two at-large seats. Each voter will select up to 2 at-large School Committee candidates and 1 district School Committee candidate on their ballot.
John is running for one of the three At-Large (citywide) Council seats.
Housing:
We must find ways to create more housing in Lowell to balance supply with demand, and make housing more affordable. For both renters and buyers, housing costs are surging and wages are not keeping pace. Additional housing options are critical to make sure our residents can afford to stay here.
Parks and open space:
Lowell has many under-utilized public spaces, and many that need significant improvements in order for residents to see them as a quality place to spend time. Public spaces should have the look and feel of a place where people are encouraged to go: seating, plants, signage, art, and easy pedestrian access.
Improving our Infrastructure:
Multiple schools and public safety facilities have immediate capital needs including new roofs, boilers, and major HVAC system repairs. Roads and bridges are in dire need of repair, and many intersections must be made safer for cars, bikes, and pedestrians alike.
Public Schools:
We must invest in our schools to restore cuts to library aides and paraprofessionals, reduce class sizes, and create a clear plan to address pressing capital needs so that our schools are safe and healthy places to learn and work.
Supporting Small Businesses:
The city should do everything possible to ensure that business owners with good ideas -- especially those located in under-served areas or strategically important ones like Downtown -- are set up to be successful in the long term.
Economic Development:
Lowell is an attractive place for businesses to locate, and we should be pitching ourselves to employers in order to create new jobs and spur development. We must also ensure sustainability through clear benefits for Lowell residents including quality wages, training opportunities, and partnerships with educational institutions.
Diverse and Inclusive City Government:
From our city workforce, to our contracted workforce, to businesses receiving city grants or incentives, we must be holding them accountable to goals of a diverse workforce and leadership development.
Environment:
We must also continue to set ambitious goals in our utility contracts to increase the amount of ratepayer energy that is derived from clean energy sources such as solar and wind.
Accessibility and Responsiveness:
The most important role of a City Councilor is to be responsive to residents’ needs, and a link to city services. Please do not hesitate to contact me on my cell phone: 978-766-0705.