Obama Wants Change… But Change to What?

Valley Patriot Editorial May, 2008 The nationwide exposure of Reverend Jeremiah Wright’s church rantings provides startling insight into the kind of challenges facing this country’s progress toward better race relations.   It was indeed an eye-opener for most Americans to learn about the lies, racial slurs and divisiveness being preached to some black congregations. The Reverend Wright […]

Sal Lupoli of Sal’s Riverwalk announces workforce training grant

Sal Lupoli of Sal’s Riverwalk announces workforce training grant

  By: Tom Duggan – April, 2008   Lawrence/Boston, MA – Sal Lupoli, President/CEO of Sal’s Pizza Retail and Wholesale Divisions, Salvatore’s Restaurants and Riverwalk Properties is proud to announce that Governor Patrick awarded Double N. Inc., a subsidiary of Lupoli Companies a Workforce Training Grant of $162,050 to train 213 workers in Lean Manufacturing […]

Haverhill: Council Votes for Mayor’s Parking Plan

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 […]

Ethics Commission: Mass Highway Contractor Gave Bribes

  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 […]

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick Announces $11 MIL Workers’ Compensation Rate Cut for Employers

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick Announces $11 MIL Workers’ Compensation Rate Cut for Employers

     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 […]

Governor Patrick Increases Worker’s Comp. Rate

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 […]

Did Georgetown Club Owner Swindle $357K

Did Georgetown Club Owner Swindle $357K

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 […]

We Suggest “Nearly Perfect”

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 […]

Police Investigate Middle School Death Threats

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 […]

Methuen Police did the Work

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 […]

Methuen Police Chief Solomon alleges federal corruption probe of Mayor Manzi

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 […]

The Real Disgrace in the Jennifer Padellaro Lawsuit

The Real Disgrace in the Jennifer Padellaro Lawsuit

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 […]