By: Diana Fay DZoglio – September, 2011 METHUEN – Has anyone spoken to our local high school students lately about the upcoming local elections? I have, and am writing to express my deepest concern about the apparent lack of knowledge and understanding about local government amongst the future leaders of our communities. In […]
From the desk of Methuen Mayor Bill Manzi – August – 2011 A Letter to the President and Congress was signed by Methuen Mayor Bill Manzi and other area mayors here is that letter: Dear President Obama, Senate Majority Leader Reid, House Speaker Boehner, Senate Minority Leader McConnell, and House Minorty Leader Pelosi: Now […]
VALLEY PATRIOT EDITORIAL July, 2012 Last month, The Valley Patriot criticized Essex County Sheriff Frank Cousins for his failure to notify the public of an escape from the Lawrence jail on Marston Street (known as “the farm”). After our editorial was published, we were contacted by Paul Fleming, the sheriff’s press director, stating that we were “wrong” and that they […]
By: Diana Dizoglio – July, 2012 About a year ago, I wrote an article regarding civic engagement and community involvement. The article was inspired out of my encounter with a group of high school honor students from the Merrimack Valley. In the piece, I discussed the lack of understanding that the students seemed […]
By: Dani Langevin – June, 2011 My daughter just finished her sophomore year at Westfield State University. She had one more project to finish up due a week after she came back home. It was for her Ethnics class. Proudly, she chose to research and report on the gay rights movement. The first date mentioned […]
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 […]
By: Tom Duggan – June, 2011 Local U.S. Marine recruiters in The Valley got their first look at the latest batch of recruits last month at Ft. Devans Army Base in Massachusetts. The new recruits, called “poolees” (recruits yet to attend basic training) were put through preliminary training to get them ready for the extensive […]
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 […]
By: Kenneth Willette – April, 2011 I have officially announced my candidacy for Methuen Mayor. I want to personally thank the Valley Patriot for allowing me to continue to express my ideas every month. I have worked on many issues over my tenure as Methuen City Councilor at Large and School Committeeman. I am the […]
By: Dani Langivan, Lesbian Columnist – March, 2011 My stepson has joined the military. In the next couple of months he will board a plane to San Antonio, Texas and begin his training at Lackland Air Force base to become a member of the United States Air Force. Almost every day, since hearing the news, […]
The State Of The City Address by Mayor William M. Manzi III was delivered at the Methuen Board of Trade Meeting February 10, 2011** Let me begin by thanking Karen Broscoe and The Methuen Board of Trade for hosting this great event again this year. The Methuen Board of Trade excels in bringing the business […]
The Valley Patriot Celebrates Seven Year Anniversary By: Tom Duggan – March, 2011 For as long as I can remember, my ability to succeed has always been underestimated by others. So, when the experts told us that going into the newspaper business was a losing proposition back in 2004, we paid no attention to […]
An Interview with Mayoral candidate Al DiNuccio: what he will do as your next Mayor By: Tom Duggan – February, 2011 Former candidate for mayor and state representative Al DiNuccio has announced that he is running for the open seat for mayor when Bill Manzi’s term expires this year. Manzi is restricted by term limits […]
Valley Patriot Editorial Last year, the residents of Methuen voted to create a Charter Review Commission to review and make recommendations on changing the city charter. The recommendations of the commission will then go to the voters, who will decide on whether or not to change the way the city operates. Last month, the […]
Ye Gay Old Valley By: Dani Langevin, Lesbian Columnist – December, 2010 I’ve been watching the Tea Party movement, well, not really. I’ve actually just been hearing about it, listening to the fact that it’s growing faster than a bald man’s hair plugs and had some sort of impact on the recent elections. I will […]