LOWELL Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Bugs Bunny weren't on the ballot, but the cartoon characters and other write-in names collectively took in more votes than several City Council candidates.
Lowell’s election results demonstrated the advantage of incumbency, especially when so few voters bother to cast a ballot. It also marked a setback for the aspirations of what can be generally viewed as the new breed of city politicians, who failed to win either an additional City Council or School Committee seat.
City Councilors Erik Gitschier, Rita Mercier and Vesna Nuon have each retained their seats in the council after the three were the top vote-getters for the at-large seats in the Nov. 7 city election.
John Descoteaux has considered running for elected office for some time, but hasn't been able to make the kind of time commitment required of a city councilor in Lowell. With his upcoming retirement from his position as the Lowell Public Schools Transportation Director, Descoteaux thought that now would be the perfect time to test the waters.