Ethics Commission: Former Chelmsford Planning Board Member Richard McClure Guilty of Violating Conflict of Interest Law

 Acted as attorney for clients in two lawsuits in which the Town of Chelmsford was a party  The Massachusetts Ethics Commission issued a Decision and Order  finding that former Chelmsford Planning Board member Richard McClure  violated section 17(c) of Massachusetts General Law c. 268A, the conflict of interest law, by representing clients in two separate […]

Valley Patriot of the Month – WWII VETERAN: CORPORAL WILLIAM T. POULIOS, U.S. ARMY

By: Helen Mooradkanian – August, 2013 Nineteen-year old Corporal William T. Poulios, of Chelmsford, 87th Infantry Division, 347th Regiment, swept across France, Belgium, Luxembourg, central Germany, to Czechoslovakia—in 154 days of combat! From December 6, 1944, to May 8, 1945 (when Germany unconditionally surrendered), the 87th drove relentlessly from Metz, France, to Plauen on the […]

59 Legislators Vote for Gas Tax Hike Have Taxpayers Pick Up Their Gas Tab!

Boston, MA: As taxpayers across the Commonwealth begin to feel the effects of new and higher taxes today, public records show that many of the legislators who voted to implement these higher taxes, such as the one on gasoline, are also benefiting from taxpayer funded reimbursements for when they travel to the Statehouse. Per diems […]

Crowdfunding For Cash

Crowdfunding For Cash

 Babies and Briefcases By: Cheryl Hajjar – August, 2013 Unless you have been living in a landfill or still have an analog TV in your home, you have heard of the term “crowdfunding” or stories of people raising thousands of dollars for their businesses or projects online. So what is this new rage and how […]

HERO IN Our Midst: 2nd Lt WALTER R. HEDLUND, US ARMY, WWII

HERO IN Our Midst: 2nd Lt WALTER R. HEDLUND, US ARMY, WWII

By: Helen Mooradkanian – July 2013 On D-Day, June 6, 1944, Walter Hedlund, then a sergeant, U.S. Army, 29th Infantry Division, 3rd Battalion, 115th Regiment, Company I, stormed Omaha Beach in Normandy—part of the second assault wave. “The first assault wave, our own 116th Regiment, was slaughtered by the Germans. They never got beyond the […]

Merrimack Valley Bandit in Custody – Police Chief Says Businesses Can Now Rest Easy

Merrimack Valley Bandit in Custody – Police Chief Says Businesses Can Now Rest Easy

WILL BE CHARGED WITH METHUEN BANK ROBBERY OTHER CHARGES TO FOLLOW   By: Tom Duggan – April 23,, 1013 (7:44pm) A multi-jurisdictional task force made up of local law enforcement in the Merrimack Valley and the Boston Office of the FBI captured the Merrimack Valley Bandit on Tuesday. According to photos the bandit is responsible […]

Ethics: Chelmsford Planning Board Member Richard McClure

Violated the Conflict of Interest Law Represented plaintiffs in two lawsuits against the Town of Chelmsford   The Ethics Commission’s Enforcement Division today issued an Order to Show Cause (“Order”) alleging that Chelmsford Planning Board (“Board”) member Richard McClure (“McClure”) violated G.L. c. 268A, the conflict of interest law, by representing plaintiffs in two lawsuits […]

Correcting the Record: Poulten Paid Station Taxes as Promised

Correcting the Record: Poulten Paid Station Taxes as Promised

  By: Tom Duggan – July, 2012 Last month, Colonel Sam Poulten of Chelmsford became majority shareholder of Merrimack Valley Radio Corporation which controls 980 WCAP radio in Lowell. The station’s former majority shareholder, Clark Smidt of Andover had filed a court action against Poulten to take full control of the operations of the station […]

RIP Axel – Chelmsford K-9

By: Tracey Zysk – April 2012 On March 23, 2012 Chelmsford Police K-9 Axel took his final ride in his police cruiser. Axel, a 5yr old Czechoslovakian shepherd passed away from a strong fought battle with cancer. A couple of years ago I had the pleasure of interviewing Axel’s handler Officer David Leo. In that interview […]

Judge Issues Restraining Order Against Clark Smidt

Judge Issues Restraining Order Against Clark Smidt

  A Middlesex County Superior Court Judge has issued a restraining order against Andover resident Clark Smidt the soon-to-be former majority shareholder of 980AM WCAP radio in Lowell. Despite a court agreement between Smidt (and his former business partner) Colonel Sam Poulten, giving Poulten control of station operations in a buyout deal, Lowell police say […]

Dracut Voters Made the Right Choices!

  By: D.J. Deeb – December, 2010 Dracut residents chose their candidates and issues wisely in the November 2nd statewide election. Although the state of Massachusetts voted for higher taxes and bigger government, Dracut voters made the right decisions. First off, Dracut School Committee Chairman Matt Sheehan lost his bid as an Independent candidate for […]

Recovery Act Dollars being spent in The Valley

How Some of Your Money is Being Spent “Since Recovery Act dollars began to be released in March, the Fifth District has received more than $350 million, helping to create or save 1,600 jobs. This includes construction projects with Lowell Public Housing, Community Health Center expansions in Lawrence and Lowell, and double tracking along the […]

State meets obligation on SPED mandate

  By: State Senator Steve Panagiotakos – April, 2008 Chairman Senate Ways & Means Committee  The following information is intended to address the issue of local mandates and explains how the state complies with the applicable laws. I would also like to explain how the state assists municipalities in the funding of certain education categories. […]

Ogonowski: Niki Tsongas Supports Amnesty for Illegal Aliens

  “I will Support a Border Fence and Deporting Illegals”   September 21, 2007 Fifth District Congressional candidate Jim Ogonowski visited Lawrence again Friday morning holding a press conference at the Lawrence Fire Station on Lowell Street. Ogonowski spoke for ten minutes before a small crowd of Lawrence residents declaring his support for deporting illegal […]