Newspaper Grants Awards to Cops, Vets, Firefighters, 1st Amendment Defenders at Annual BASH

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Valley Patriot 1st Amendment Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Michael R. Sweeney receives his award from 1st Amendment warriors Michele McPhee and “The Guy From Boston” Joe Ligotti who also brought his own American Flag to present to Mr. Sweeney for his decades of whistle blowing and exposing corruption.

2015 VALLEY PATRIOT AWARD WINNERS

From the Valley Patriots 11th Anniversary BASH 3-20-15

State Auditor Suzanne Bump welcomed the crowd as the keynote speaker at The Valley Patriot newspaper’s 11th Anniversary BASH last Friday, to a more than sold out crowd at the Lawrence Firefighters Relief’s In.

The annual BASH is held each year to thank the readers and contributors to the paper as well as raise money for local scholarships, One Tail at a Time Dog Rescue, The Menorah lighting in North Andover, the North Andover Police Association Scholarship fund, and several other local charities. 

Each year, The Valley Patriot gives awards at the annual BASH to members of the community and members of The Valley Patriot family who do outstanding things.  Throughout the evening Valley Patriot publisher Tom Duggan gave out two awards in 6 categories and four college scholarships to graduating high school seniors.

OFFICER TOM DUGGAN SR. MEMORIAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AWARD

Woburn Police Officer Bob DINapoli with his backup Officer Mark Gibbons.
Woburn Police Officer Bob DINapoli with his backup Officer Mark Gibbons.

Each year Valley Patriot publisher Tom Duggan, who is the son of slain Lawrence Police Officer Tom Duggan Sr. (killed in the line of duty nearly 25 years to the day of the event) gives out two awards to a police officer, firefighter or civilian who honors law enforcement in an outstanding way. Duggan explained passionately why each recipient was chosen for the Officer Tom Duggan Sr. Law Enforcement/Public Safety Award. Linked below.

FULL STORY w VIDEO HERE>>
 2015 winners: Lawrence Fire Chief Brian Murphy & Retired Woburn Police Officer Bob DiNapoli

PREVIOUS WINNERS:
(2013) Scott Emerson, Wheelabrator Technologies
Methuen Police Officer Dan O’Connell,
(2014) Amesbury Police Officer Jason Kooken, Lawrence Firefighter Manny Gonzalez

10847892_956467251049281_1300638984329813634_nVALLEY PATRIOT HERO VETERAN AWARD

Because honoring Veterans is so much a part of what we do at The Valley Patriot, each year we honor people who themselves honor our hero service men and women here at home after serving their country.

This year’s Hero Veteran Award Winner is Bruce Arnold <Story with video>

VALLEY PATRIOT 1ST AMENDMENT LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Michael Sweeney was first a School Committee member in Lawrence, then he was a city councilor, then he was the planning director under Lawrence Mayor Mike Sullivan. Through all his positions in Lawrence, Michael Sweeney has been a whistle blower and confidential source on more corruption stories than anyone we have dealt with in 11 years! FULL STORY HERE

VALLEY PATRIOT 1ST AMENDMENT PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD

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State Rep. Jim Lyons (R) Andover receives the Valley Patriot 1st Amendment Award with Andover Selectman Alex Vispoli

Each year The Valley Patriot newspaper’s 1st Amendment Award is given to 2 individuals who show with their actions that they value the 1st Amendment to the Constitution. They are or have taken ACTION, bold action, to make sure the public is more informed about what their government leaders and representatives are up to. Without individuals like this on the front lines in the war against a free speech and a free press our freedoms could be lost.

2015 WINNERS:
Colonel Sam Poulten of 980WCAP Radio
State Rep. Jim Lyons (R) of Andover

PREVIOUS WINNERS: (2014) Auditor Suzanne Bump & State Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives

VALLEY PATRIOT PRESIDENT’S AWARD

TALCOTT2Nominees of this award are chosen personally by Valley Patriot Publisher and President Tom Duggan for their unique and/or outstanding contribution in the operations of the paper by being nominated in 3 ore more of our 6 award categories. Previous winners have made unique contributions to the paper and the radio show in ways nobody else could. PREVIOUS WINNERS: (2013) Christine Morabito & Dan Selenius (2014) Dave Sullivan & Dani Langevin

2015 WINNERS: Alex Talcott and Mike Gagliardi, President of the Laborer’s Union Local, 175

 

 VALLEY PATRIOT EDITORS CHOICE AWARD

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Lowell Mayor Rod Elliott presents the Valley Patriot Editor’s Choice Award to our Lowell Columnist John MacDonald

Each year The Valley Patriot honors two Valley Patriot contributors for outstanding writing, or taking the high road in public discourse while also taking very bold stands on some of the most important issues that shape our culture and our community.

Columnists, reporters, and even letter writers are eligible for this award. Previous winners of this award have exposed corruption, called out elected officials for bad behavior, provided exceptional information to the public and/or attracted a whole new demographic of readers to the paper.

2015 WINNERS: John Macdonald our Lowell Columnist for his covering of the NYPD and police issues & Kathy Runge our Lawrence reporter for exposing voter fraud in Lawrence.

PREVIOUS WINNERS: (2013) Joe D’Amore, Lonnie Brennan.  (2014) Paul Murano, Jeff Katz

VALLEY PATRIOT GOODWILL AMBASSADOR AWARD WINNERS

TomaselliBergeron09Once called the Honorable Mention Award, The Goodwill Ambassador Award is given to people who do not necessarily work for The Valley Patriot, but promote the paper as our goodwill ambassadors in the community, whether through the press, or pitching in to volunteer to help one of The Valley Patriot’s many projects in some outstanding way.

2015 WINNERS: John Bergeron and Joyce and Gracemarie Tomaselli

PREVIOUS WINNERS: (2013) Mike Grammont & Tracey Zysk & (2014) Rich Russel & Shawn Hansen