By a vote of 6-3, the City council tonight voted for the Mayor’s parking plan, the fourth plan which has been presented to them. Unlike previous plans, this parking plan did not recommend charging for parking in the downtown. Voting for the plan were Councilors Hart, Hall, Daley-O’Brien, Scatamacchia, McGonagle, and Quimby. Voting no were […]
The State Ethics Commission’s Enforcement Division Alleges Former Mass Highway Contractor Project Manager Terry Edwards Gave Bribes/Gratuities to a Construction Inspector The Massachusetts State Ethics Commission’s Enforcement Division, in an Order to Show Cause issued on April 8, 2008, alleges that a former project manager for a Massachusetts Highway Department (“Mass Highway”) contractor repeatedly […]
By: Tom Duggan – April, 2008 BOSTON – Thursday, April 17, 2008 – The Patrick Administration today announced an agreement in the 2008 workers’ compensation rate setting proceeding that will save Massachusetts businesses $11 million. The new rates average to a 1.0% reduction per employer and mark the ninth time rates have decreased […]
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick Announces $11 MIL Workers’ Compensation Rate Cut for Employers BOSTON – Thursday, April 17, 2008 – The Patrick Administration today announced an agreement in the 2008 workers’ compensation rate setting proceeding that will save Massachusetts businesses $11 million. The new rates average to a 1.0% reduction per employer and mark the […]
By: Lonnie Brennan, Georgetown Selectman A trial is now being heard in Essex Superior Court in Lawrence against Georgetown Country Club owner Peter Wojtkun, who is facing several counts of fraud, misleading, deceptive and coercive business practices, and physical assault according to court documents obtained by The Valley Patriot. The complaint was filed by […]
VALLEY PATRIOT EDITORIAL April, 2008 The Massachusetts state Board of Education is unhappy with the mean-spirited words being used to describe government schools that are not up to snuff. Those who are concerned with this less-than-ideal performance have used such adjectives as “failing” and “under-performing.” Schools with persisting imperfections are even bullied with terms like […]
By: Tom Duggan – April 2008 NORTH ANDOVER – Several North Andover Middle School students are being investigated by the North Andover police for personal profiles posted on the America On Line Internet service threatening to harm fellow students and naming at least one teacher and a classmate the student pledges to “kill.” These threats […]
Valley Patriot Editorial March, 2008 What started off as a paperwork dispute between the Department of Justice and Methuen Police Chief Joe Solomon has resulted in (among other things), other officers accused of being paid for work they did not do. The fact is, the U.S. Department of Justice has never questioned whether or not […]
Claims Mayor’s actions against him are retaliatory and invokes protections under federal and state whistleblower laws Supporters of Methuen Police Chief Joe Solmon – February 18, 2008 METHUEN, MA – Whistleblower (noun): An employee, former employee, or member of an organization, especially a business or government agency, who reports misconduct to people or entities […]
February, 2008 On Thursday, January 24, 2008, a jury of eight citizens rendered a unanimous verdict in favor of Joseph Solomon and Joseph Alaimo in the United States District Court in Boston in the lawsuit brought by Maurice Lariviere. Each of Mr. Lariviere’s five remaining counts was rejected unanimously by the jury after they heard […]
PAYING ATTENTION! with TOM DUGGAN By: Tom Duggan – February, 2008 LAWRENCE, MA – Last month I wrote about the $610,000 lawsuit settled by the City of Lawrence with former Assistant City Clerk Jenniffer Padellaro. (Blanchette was Absolutely Right on Padellaro Lawsuit) Padellaro had been on worker’s compensation after leaving the position because she was exposed […]
VALLEY PATRIOT EDITORIAL February,2008 Last month the Exchange Club of Lawrence honored police officers, firefighters and an EMT workers for their service to the communities of Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover. Among those honored were Lawrence Police Officer Michael Magnan who received one of the Exchange Club’s “Police Officer of the Year Awards” for saving […]
By: Tom Duggan – February 2, 2008 Imagine that you have been voluntarily admitted to the hospital to recover from an illness or injury and another patient sexually attacks you while you are trying to recover. According to a patient’s complaint (name withheld), that is exactly what happened to her after being admitted to […]
VALLEY PATRIOT EXCLUSIVE! By: Tom Duggan – January, 2008 The North Andover School Committee is suing their former acting Superintendent Richard Bergeron for illegally giving himself a $4,484.34 raise without school committee approval. A complaint filed in Lawrence District Court claims that Bergeron ordered a payroll clerk to put the additional money in […]
Asks Community to stand with our Veterans by Wilfredo Laboy, posted 1/10/08 During a period in which the City of Lawrence and the Lawrence Public Schools have made significant steps towards ongoing improvement, we are saddened and outraged by such morally and ethically unacceptable conduct by James Stokes. In November’s School Committee elections, […]