BOZO OF THE YEAR – LENNY DEGNAN – It takes a lot to get bozo of the year but Lenny Degnan, (former Chief of Staff for Lawrence Mayor Willie Lantigua) has managed to do just that. Degnan was convicted of fraud and corruption earlier this year as the result of his role […]
By: Dr. Frank MacMillan – December, 2014 While I consider myself well read and I work hard to remain connected to and aware of changes happening in medicine, I have only recently become knowledgeable about a new program being rolled out by CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) on January 1, 2015 that may […]
By, Forest Rain – December, 2104 There is a new trend in Europe. Parliaments in various European countries are holding “symbolic votes” to “recognize the State of Palestine.” These votes are symbolic in that they don’t have the power to create a Palestinian State. There is no state called “Palestine”, and historically there is […]
By: Ana DeBernardo – December, 2014 One of the strongest arguments for physician assisted suicide is the idea of “Death with Dignity.” People claim that their life is theirs and only theirs, and that no one should have the right to decide when to end it but them. If a man is diagnosed with a […]
By: DJ Bettencourt – December, 2014 This month, the newly elected members of the New Hampshire Legislature officially took office. Despite most of the attention focusing on legislative leadership battles and a shocking upset in the Speaker of the House race, the most important battle of the 2015-2016 legislative session is likely to be […]
By: Tom Duggan – December, 2014 SALISBURY, MA – For the last year and a half The Valley Patriot has been investigating the way the Town of Salisbury charges rate payers for construction projects – sewer betterments, sewer user fees, water fees, taxes on property, and exactly how much tax and at what rate payers were […]
By: Justess Jacobson – December, 2014 I have lived in Manchester since I was 8 years old. I didn’t appreciate it at the time, but it truly was a great choice. Even though there are some down sides, I still realized that it truly is a great place to live. Here are the top ten […]
By: Kathy Runge – December, 2014 The election has come and gone, the employee residency requirement has been discussed ad nauseam by the council with more to come, and we’ve had more senseless deaths of young people in Lawrence. The residents of Lawrence can breathe a sigh of relief that William Lantigua isn’t on the […]
By: Greg Batchelder, December, 2014 I have found over my many years of working in the senior living industry that holiday visits are often a wake-up call for adult children who realize their parent isn’t doing all that well living alone. Although it can be tough facing the reality of elderly relatives more frail or […]
As the year draws to a close I thought it appropriate to highlight some of the highs and lows that took place in Methuen in 2014. IT PRIVATIZATION It took two different councils and three different proposals for the Mayor to finally pass a measure restructuring and privatizing the city’s IT Dept- a move designed […]
By: Oscar Camargo – December, 2014 Whether you like it or not, the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) in South Lawrence is moving. The lifeblood of one community will be diverted to another with the hope that it’ll be revitalized. The goal, as envisioned by Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera, is to promote economic development in […]
By: John MacDonald – December, 2014 On November 13, 2014, Congresswoman Tsongas led a hearing on police militarization following protests in Ferguson, Missouri in the House of Representatives. During that hearing she was quoted by the Lowell Sun as saying, “When you saw peaceful protesters being confronted with armored vehicles, having assault weapons pointed at […]
By: Bill Cushing – December, 2014 With Christmas upon us, I thought I would look back at some great Christmas episodes of our favorite shows over the years. There have been many, to be sure. But I’m going to discuss my personal favorites. Some that are not what you would consider traditional Christmas episodes, […]
By: State Senator Katy Ives Dec. 2014 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death in the United States. It disproportionately impacts women and is caused by smoking and poor air quality. It severely impacts quality of life by causing a shortness of breath, which makes it difficult to do the […]
DOWNLOAD OR LISTEN TO HOUR 1 DOWNLOAD OR LISTEN TO HOUR 2 State Rep. Lenny Mirra and Phil DeCologero filled in for Paul Murano who took the day off. Topics: The Mancave in Woburn, Lawrence City Council out of Cotrol, Massachusetts Politics and MORE> Paying Attention is hosted by Valley Patriot Publisher Tom Duggan. Tom’s, […]