By: Gerry Nutter, April – 2011 “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few (or the one).” Mr. Spock I have used that phrase before but it comes to my mind every year around budget time for the Lowell Public Schools. The week after this paper hits the newsstands Lowell will […]
By: Lawrence, “Lonnie” Brennan – April, 2011 Some interesting shell games are going on before our eyes. One of the most interesting is the creation of a new centralized town maintenance department, funded via a new $729,583 proposition 2 ½ override. The cool thing about it (for the proponents of the bill) is that […]
Opponents of Secure Communities Come Out in Full Force By: Tom Duggan, Valley Patriot Publisher – April, 2011 A forum was held last month at Lawrence High School by the Deval Patrick administration. Governor Patrick wanted to get feedback from the public on a federal program that would allow police to […]
By: Jamison Tomasek – April, 2011 While everyone wants to feel good and say nice things, it is hard to feel good or say nice things about what is going on in the Lawrence Schools. Yes, there are successful students there. Yes, there are great teachers, and yes there are good programs and happy […]
By: Jon Golnik – April, 2011 The Republican tide that swept through the country on November 2nd seemingly stopped short in Massachusetts. While Republicans won 16 state representative seats (doubling their number), how is it that we lost a state senate seat and failed to win any state wide race or a Congressional race […]
By: Jeff Katz – April, 2011 And we’re off on Obama’s grand Libyan adventure. After weeks of dithering, golfing and vacationing the pretender in chief finally decided to do something about Libya. He truly seemed confused about the proper course of action and so he did what he is best at, he […]
Valley Patriot Editorial ~ April, 2011 When will the people of Lawrence say “enough is enough” and start a recall petition against Lawrence Mayor Willie Lantigua? In the year and a half Lantigua has been mayor, he has not only laid off cops and firefighters but has publicly attacked them at every turn, calling them […]
VALLEY PATRIOT EDITORIAL March, 2011 Since Lawrence Police Chief John Romero formed the Auto Theft/Auto Fraud Task Force under Mayor Michael Sullivan, residents of Lawrence have seen a decrease in their auto insurance rates. But, according to numbers release by Lawrence City Councilor Mark LaPlante: auto thefts in Lawrence have increased 114% since Lawrence […]
By: Dani Langivan, Lesbian Columnist – March, 2011 My stepson has joined the military. In the next couple of months he will board a plane to San Antonio, Texas and begin his training at Lackland Air Force base to become a member of the United States Air Force. Almost every day, since hearing the news, […]
By: Christine Morabito – March, 2011 It was worth the bullying and name-calling we endured over the last 2 years to finally bring us to this point. How refreshing it is to be appreciated for the countless hours and sleepless nights spent saving our country from those who wish to radically transform it. At this […]
The Valley Patriot Celebrates Seven Year Anniversary By: Tom Duggan – March, 2011 For as long as I can remember, my ability to succeed has always been underestimated by others. So, when the experts told us that going into the newspaper business was a losing proposition back in 2004, we paid no attention to […]
By: Tom Duggan – March, 2011 Last month North Andover Selectman Rick Nardella called into the Paying Attention! radio program with Tom Duggan on WHAV.NET to discuss his campaign for reelectoin on the board. He faces two challengers Joe E. Smith and Don Stewart, (and one incumbent): Tracy Watson .Two will get elected […]
North Andover Selectman Says North Andover is Corrupt By: Tom Duggan – March, 2011 NORTH ANDOVER – Last month former North Andover Selectman Don Stewart called into the Paying Attention! radio program with Tom Duggan on WHAV.NET to discuss his campaign to recapture a seat on the board. He faces two incumbents: Tracy Watson […]
Unions: the Good, the Bad, & the Ugly THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX By: Dr. Charles Ormsby – March, 2011 The right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness is cherished by all Americans. To protect this right our Constitution restricted the powers of the federal government by enumerating its only powers. This restricted […]
VALLEY PATRIOT EDITORIAL MARCH, 2011 In the real world, ordinary citizens who bribe lawmakers for favors suffer serious consequences. Big fines and/or jail time are the rule. But this is not so with public employee unions. These groups donate thousands of dollars to the election campaigns of lawmakers, who in turn, favor them with […]