The Case for Secession

By: John LaHoud – January 2013 NOTE: What follows is an intellectual exercise, designed to stimulate the thinking of my fellow freedom-loving citizens. Anyone wishing to participate may e-mail lahoudjp@gmail.com. Whether incorporated into the final document or not, all submissions will remain anonymous. For lovers of government, the elections of November 2012 were a triumph; […]

An Open Letter To The Community of Pentucket Regional Schools

An Open Letter To The Community of Pentucket Regional Schools

By: Joe D’Amore  I want to remind everyone that this week the Superintendent will meet with the Chief of Police in an important meeting to review school security measures. Coming off the incredibly volatile emotions from the tragedy in Connecticut – I – like you – whipsawed with ideas in mind about what to do […]

Valley Patriot of the Month – Lawrence Native Fred Pietrowski, U.S. Navy

  By: Helen Mooradkanian – January 2013 LAWRENCE – It was early 1961 during the Cold War. The United States had just closed its embassy in Havana, Cuba. The Cuban Missile Crisis would not come to a head until one year later, in October 1962—the closest the U.S. and the Soviet Union ever came to […]

Everyone gets a Trophy in North Andover – School Committee Dumbs-Down Grades

Everyone gets a Trophy in North Andover – School Committee Dumbs-Down Grades

VALLEY PATRIOT EDITORIAL   January 2013 The North Andover School Committee has decided that grading children in the school system with the time tested letter grades which reflect their achievement on tests and projects, is no longer needed. Instead, they have decided to create a complicated number grading system that parents say do not reflect […]

Zappala Releases new Book

  Attorney Alfred M. Zappala is pleased to announce the imminent release of his third book on Sicily, “Figghiu Beddu”. The book is already available as a Kindle download from www.kindle.com .The soft cover book will be available at www.alfredzappala.com The book, which will be released in three weeks, takes a humorous and serious look […]

Political Will Needed in Lawrence Government

By: Joe D’Amore – December 2012   With headlines announcing Grand Jury indictments of two city officials and the already completed take- over of Lawrence public schools many are suggesting comprehensive receivership of the City of Lawrence is warranted. For an assessment of this possibility the major precedent for state control of a municipality is […]

Avoiding Holiday Weight Gain

  By: Tony Ferrao – December 2012 Ah, yes! That wonderful time of the year when we loosen the belt and get ready for some great eatin’! Unfortunately, the wonderful comfort foods that bring back nostalgia can also lead to unwanted pounds. Not the holiday “gift” many are looking for. Here are some tips to […]

Managing Chronic Diseases

By: Susan Poludniak – December 2012 In 2008, Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley, Inc. and Hebrew SeniorLife joined forces to be a leader in the dissemination of evidence based healthy living programs for consumers and to create the Healthy Living Center of Excellence. “We have seen the benefits of our workshops occur in thousands […]

Playing the Class Envy Card

  By: Ralph Wilbur – December 2012 The difference between the tax rate on earned income versus the rate on income generated from capital gains has lent some success to Obama’s “envy the rich” campaign. It has given Democrats the edge in demagoguery by implying that millionaires like Warren Buffett get taxed less than their […]

Municipal Tax Rates and Surpluses

By: Bill Manzi, III – December, 2012 Municipal budgeting, like most everything in government that relates to taxation, has become highly politicized. And like much that occurs in budgeting those politics, in many instances, show that budgetary doublespeak is not restricted to federal politicians. Municipal budgets are set to a “fiscal year”, which runs from […]