Congratulations to Barak Obama and the incoming Obama administration Valley Patriot Editorial November, 2008 Though many Americans did not vote for Obama and indeed some of us have expressed serious reservations about this competence and the direction he will take this country, now is not the time for such division. Now is the time to […]
Paying Attention! with Tom Duggan October, 2008 Last May the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) notified the North Andover Public Schools that their high school was being put on warning of losing its accreditation. But, it wasn’t until August 25th that North Andover Superintendent of Schools, Marini notified the public that the […]
By: Tom Duggan – Ocotober, 2008 The City of Lawrence is about to be the home of a new concept in legal services according to Al Zappala president of All things Sicilian, and Sal Lupoli of Sal’s Pizza and Sal’s Riverwalk. Zappala and Lupoli say they intend to create a series of “boutique” law […]
By: Tom Duggan – September, 2008 The Eagle Tribune newspaper, head-quartered in North Andover and owned by Alabama-based Community News-paper Holdings, Inc. announced last week that at least 52 employees have been laid off in the largest ever downsizing measure taken by the company. In a memo to employees, publisher Al Getler, a […]
Valley Patriot Editorial September, 2008 September 11, 2001 was the worst attack on American soil in our nation’s history. On that day, those calling themselves Islamic jihadists declared war on America and flew two airplanes into the Twin Towers and the Pentagon killing over 3,000 Americans. Today it seems that many Americans have forgotten the […]
Family of hero soldier killed in Iraq says Eagle~Tribune Reporter had to be thrown out of wake and funeral as well By: Tom Duggan – August, 2008 Slain soldier, Army Pfc. Alex Jimenez was captured by Al Qaeda and had been missing for 15 months before his remains were finally found in Iraq. “As hard as […]
Valley Patriot Editorial The Democrats secretly want high energy prices August, 2008 The Democrats are vacationing while the nation is suffering with gas prices near $4 per gallon. We also face a cold winter with heating oil approaching $5 per gallon. Yet, the Democrats won’t permit increased access to economically viable oil deposits. Their arguments […]
Valley Patriot’s “Puppy Girl” markets multi-national company to help your golf Swing-Rite! Tom Duggan While Boxford resident Kate Whitey may be best known as the author of our Puppy Love column, what most people may not know is that the 24 year old UNH graduate runs the SwingRite Corporation, marketing, manufacturing and shipping golf training […]
Since the very first edition of The Valley Patriot in March of 2004, this space has been reserved for honoring local veterans who have either performed heroically in battle or made a significant difference in their community. This month we honor Spc. Alex Jimenez of Lawrence whose remains were found last month in Iraq after […]
By: Tom Duggan – May, 2008 July 29, 2008 — Following Police Chief John Romero’s issuing of the School Resource Officer (SRO) report detailing an increase in arrests in the District, Superintendent Wilfredo T. Laboy has issued a statement disputing the data in the report: The Lawrence Public Schools constantly monitors data pertaining to […]
Valley Patriot Editorial July, 2008 America’s most important freedom has finally been affirmed. In a brilliant and scholarly decision prepared by Justice Antonin Scalia, joined by Justices Roberts, Kennedy, Thomas, and Alito, the U. S. Supreme Court held that the Second Amendment guarantees “the individual right to possess and carry weapons.” Scalia explored the issue […]
Elected officials sending secret messages to each other during public meetings may be illegal Tom Duggan – July, 2008 Last week, Lowell City Councilor and former Lowell Mayor Rita Mercier filed a motion requesting that the council ban the use of cell phones and other electronic devices during council meetings. The motion was filed, Mercier […]
Lawrence Mayor Michael Sullivan Calls Councilor Carlos Matos’ Remarks Racist Tom Duggan – June, 2008 Lawrence Mayor Michael Sullivan issued a press release this week calling comments in the Boston Globe by former Lawrence City Councilor Carlos Matos in the Boston Globe “racist.” Sullivan also complained about similar comments Matos made when he was spearheading […]
Valley Patriot Editorial June, 2008 Do you hear it? … click, click, click. Or do you not pay much attention because you are too busy seeking that promotion, or raising a family, or just trying to make ends meet? Click, click … There it is again, a new bill passed regulating this, mandating that, or […]
By: Tom Duggan – June, 2008 The Valley Patriot was invited into the Selimiye Mosque in Methuen where an interview took place with several members, including Shaban, Yusef and Hussein. More than 250 families are members and worship at the Selimiye Mosque on Oakland Avenue in Methuen. Most are from Turkey and hail from Methuen […]