Will not commit to quitting council or stepping down as council President if he wins By: Valley Patriot Staff – May, 2012 Lawrence City Council President Frank Moran is a candidate for State Representative in the 17th Essex District. The newly created rep. district was created by the state legislature last year as a […]
Summer Job Training Program in Methuen By; Tom Duggan – May, 2012 Methuen School Superintendent Judy Scannell has reinstituted a jobs training program for graduating students who are not attending college after they get their diploma. Scannell says the “Pathways” jobs program is funded by a federal grant and was in place “for about ten years […]
By: Diana DiZoglio, Valley Patriot Reporter – April, 2012 On April 3, Methuen, MA/Salem, NH Rotary hosted their second annual Celebration of Achievement Banquet at Merrimack Valley Golf Club. President Elect Trudy Lawler call it the “signature event” which “recognizes teachers, students and awards scholarships”. “It’s something that we work toward all year long”, she […]
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 […]
THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX SIMPLE MATH Only 25 percent of Lawrence’s eighth grade students, based on MCAS test results, are proficient in mathematics. The percentage of proficient students increases to only 27 percent in tenth grade (winter 2011), but this can hardly be considered progress since there are roughly 12 percent fewer students remaining to […]
Lowell Regional Water Utility Executive Director Improperly used Utility generators and employees for personal purposes April, 2012 The Ethics Commission approved a Disposition Agreement in which Lowell Regional Water Utility (“LRWU”) Executive Director Daniel Lahiff admitted to violating MG.L. c. 268A, the conflict of interest law, by using an LRWU generator in his home, by soliciting […]
April, 2012 State Representative Marcos Devers (DLawrence) was honored as the Legislator of the Year from CLASS, Inc. on Thursday, March 22, 2012. “I feel humbled and honored with this unexpected and delightful distinction.” said Representative Devers “My commitment to families, children and persons with disabilities is one of the main aspects that drive my performance and advocacy at the […]
By: Peter Larocque – April, 2012 The response to an article in March’s Boston Magazine entitled, “Lawrence, MA: City of the Damned” by city politicians and community activist young and old has me scratching my head. I do understand some of their reasoning, but in the end it is just more of the same, […]
By: Tom Duggan – April 2012 The United States Marines are indisputably the greatest fighting force in the history of mankind. Last month local recruits gathered with their families at the VFW in Methuen for a family night. Drill Sergeants and recruiters responsible for their recruits gave a demonstration of what the young recruits will […]
By: Mayor Bill Manzi – April 2012 The Boston Globe recently published a story on the municipal finance system that detailed the fact that Methuen, on a percentage basis, was tied for first in the State (with Woburn) for being the highest (on a percentage basis) amount below the Proposition 2.5 levy limit. The data […]
By: Tom Duggan – April 2012 Less than 16% of the Town’s registered voters bothered to go to the polls last month and cast a ballot for Selectman, Town Moderator, School Committee and Housing Authority. With only 3,053 in town caring to participate in the election, long time political activist Mark DiSalvo defeated political newcomer […]
By: Eva Montabello – April 2012 The title of this story may not be the typical way that North Andover residents see their former Town Moderator. When I first met Charlie, I could see the sparkle in his eye and within the first few minutes of conversation hear his commitment to fairness, integrity and growth. […]
By: Tracey Zysk – April, 2012 Spring is here and with the sun, warm weather, and fresh air comes the ultimate SPRING CLEAN. As you are beginning to tear apart those closets or starting all those lawn routines, we must not forget our pets. Those sneaky snoopers can and probably will sniff, lick or even […]
It’s time to stop circling the wagons and shooting IN Christine Morabito – April, 2012 The Tea Party’s relationship with U.S. Senator Scott Brown has been dysfunctional at best. In February, leaders from 7 Massachusetts Tea Parties sat down with Brown’s staff to establish an open dialogue and express concerns about his voting record. Despite […]
By: Jack Roy – April , 2012 This is a great time of year — it is election time…. This is the year when we discuss, argue, persuade and then vote on who will be the President, the Senator, the Congressman, the State Senator, the State Rep. and all the other positions that are to […]