City Council Liveblog 9/1/09

6:58: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to our regularly scheduled City Council meetings! This week, and every week for the foreseeable future!

We’ll be liveblogging a lively meeting in a bit, stay tuned here for all the fun!

(And, we promise, no more exclamation points.)

7:15: Heeeere we go. We’ll pick up once they’re past proclamations, etc.

7:23: Some economic development resolutions not on the agenda, as far as we can see…a new TIF agreement for the Beechwood Hotel, which is undergoing a massive expansion project–a $17 million investment on the part of the hotel. At least 51% of jobs created will be for Worcester residents, as will 51% of construction teams hired.

7:31: A bunch of sex offender residency requirements proposed by Councilor Haller. Not the first time we’ve seen ordinances like this. A proposal failed in 2007.

Pools advocates cry foul on City Manager

Today, City Manager Michael O’Brien is unveiling a plan to build a brand new pool facility at Crompton Park, part of what he calls a master plan to restore pools and swimming city wide.

But pool advocates are crying foul on the proposal.

In a call to action from activist and Council candidate Grace Ross, the plan is decried as being “what he has proposed all along” and the Manager is accused of “[ignoring] all community voices.”

Read the full call to action after the jump.

Tim Murray is Governor

…at least for a day or two.

With “real” Governor Deval Patrick in the hospital for long-planned hip surgery, former Worcester Mayor and Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray has the reins to the state.

No word on if he’ll declare Worcester the new capital.

The Globe notices Holy Cross

Holy Cross football isn’t usually a media darling, generally relegated to footnotes in national media coverage of snide side remarks in Bill Simmons columns on ESPN.

But with the play of QB Dominic Randolph, expected to set several career league records and contend for the Walter Payton trophy, the team is sure to garner more attention this year.

Now, the Crusaders are ranked 25th in the preseason Champion Subdivision poll, and The Boston Globe has noticed.