Random Thoughts with Ronnie Ford

By: Ronnie Ford – June, 2011 Naomi Klien’s “The Shock Doctrine” is a New York Times best seller. It is a scary book explaining the many machinations and illegal activities that has contributed to our topsy-turvy economy today. The manuscript pointed out documented happenings that point to profit at all costs, inclusive of which is […]

Election Season Has Begun in Lowell

Election Season Has Begun in Lowell

By: Gerry Nutter – June, 2011 Election Season has begun here in Lowell. This year in the City Council Race we have one open seat with the retirement of longtime Councilor Edward “Bud” Caulfield who was truly ‘The People’s Representative” and was the epitome of the neighborhood councilor. It leaves 8 strong Incumbents running including […]

Random, Mostly Non-Political Observations about The Valley

Random, Mostly Non-Political Observations about The Valley

By: Jamison Tomasek – June, 2011 I noticed from Facebook the number of people that grew up in Lawrence and settled in the Merrimack Valley is very high. While this might not just be a Lawrence thing, it seems particularly pronounced here. The Lawrence Diaspora (migration) doesn’t seem like a random scattering. Almost everyone who […]

The Recall Process in Lawrence

The Recall Process in Lawrence

  By: Jamison Tomasek – May, 2011 A recall effort is underway in the City of Lawrence. The process of a recall is contained in the City Charter (hereafter Charter). Section 9.7 entitled “Recall of Elected Officials.” As this section is written in government lingo, it does require a careful reading as well as some […]

VALLEY PATRIOT TV REVIEW: Mr. Sunshine ABC Wednesdays 9:30 p.m.

  By: Beth Daigle – April, 2012 I’m not going to lie I should not have enjoyed this movie. The acting is horrible, the story makes literally no sense, the ending makes even less sense. The entire soundtrack is butchered covers of classic songs. The pacing is more all over the place than a schizophrenic […]

Beware of the Backyard Breeder

  By: Tracey Zysk – April, 201 It’s puppy season! It’s that time of the year when families decide it is a great time to bring a puppy into their homes. People constantly ask me, “Do you know a good breeder? “ Or they ask me for names of breeders of specific breeds. After I […]

World Vets begin Animal Rescue in Japan

World Vets begin Animal Rescue in Japan

By: Tracey Zysk – April, 2011 Life can change in a minute, literally. Last month I wrote an article educating readers on the importance of Animal Evacuation Plans. I submitted that article to the Valley Patriot March 3 and just days later March 11, 2011 Japan was destroyed by an earthquake and a tsunami. Who […]

FROM THE DESK OF MAYOR MANZI

By: Methuen Mayor Bill Manzi – April, 2011 Municipal health care continues to be a dominant political issue for localities, with both Governor Patrick and Speaker Deleo advocating reform that would allow savings of over $100 million per year statewide. The Legislature held a hearing on this subject a couple of weeks back, but as […]