Hello Valley Patriot Readers, Last Wednesday, surrounded by family and friends, I was sworn in as your State Auditor at Methuen High School, my alma mater, where I had the opportunity to share my audit plan. As Auditor, I am excited to collaborate with communities and stakeholders to increase access, accountability, and equity for […]
By: State Senator Pavel Payano ~ 02-23 My first month as a state Senator has been eventful both in the district and on Beacon Hill. I have been joined by an amazing team who work diligently to help me serve the First Essex District. They assist me with everything from policy research to responding to […]
02-23 Last week during the frigid -11 degree weather that lasted for three days, Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena and his homeless coordinator Kelly Birchall put together a plan to help the homeless and other Lawrence residents who had no heat. First, Mayor DePena mobilized the police and fire departments to visit all of the homeless […]
01-23 Remember last year – when the Methuen City Council was attacking Police Chief Joe Solomon on a daily basis, feeding information to the Boston media claiming the police department was “too top heavy”? Remember when they cut millions out of the police budget and laid off patrolmen and demoted superior officers because the […]
By: State Senator Pavel Payano – 01-23 I am honored to have the opportunity to represent the communities of Lawrence, Methuen, and Haverhill as the State Senator for the First Essex District. In the Senate Chamber, I am in seat number 13- the seat my predecessor, State Auditor Diana DiZoglio, held. Diana was a fierce […]
By: Alison Genest, Dracut Selectman Phil Thibault announced on his cable TV show that he would be publishing his article called “A Black Eye on Dracut” this month in the Valley Patriot. The column is factually incorrect and injurious to my reputation. The piece contains false statements about my voting record as a Dracut Selectman […]
By: Philippe Thibault – 01-23 There are milestones and benchmarks that people inevitably use to measure the growth, stagnation and decline of a community. While most would stive to foster growth by raising standards, three members of the Dracut Board of Selectman have taken the approach to removal standards for themselves and thus be held […]
By: Brian Genest – 01-23 Here we go again: Cue the violins for Dracut’s self-proclaimed victim, Phil Thibault. This time, he’s lamenting because he was rejected by the Board of Selectmen for the newly created at-large seat on the Zoning Bylaw Review Committee—and he’s blaming everyone but himself, just like he always does. Meanwhile, the […]
By: John Cuddy – 01-23 Little did I know that my previous story about US Army Medic Steve Bird from Groveland, and his brave efforts to treat the wounded on the battlefields of Vietnam in 1968, would lead me to this feature about Art Jacobs, who was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and grew up in […]
01-23 LAWRENCE – As a home health aide for 29 years at Tufts Medicine Care at Home, Lillian Silva supports her patients by assisting with their personal care and other daily living activities. On her days off, the dedicated caregiver extends her compassionate caring to the wider community as a volunteer with Lasagna Love. Founded […]
My Priorities are YOUR Priorities! Before I begin, I want to thank the readers of The Valley Patriot. I met so many of you throughout the campaign in Methuen and Lawrence, and your support for me and this newspaper is very much appreciated. You were all a big part of the reason I am now […]
By: State Auditor Diana DiZoglio – 1-23 Hello Valley Patriot Readers, It has been a true honor and pleasure serving the great people of the Merrimack Valley in the Massachusetts Legislature. Every day, I’ve walked out my door in the morning determined to make meaningful progress and change that helps people at home. This public […]
By: State Rep. Ryan Hamilton – 1/23 First off, I would like to take a moment to thank Tom Duggan and all of those at the Valley Patriot for the opportunity to write a monthly column in their paper. The readership of the Valley Patriot makes up a significant group of constituents in Haverhill, Methuen, […]
By: State Rep. Francisco Paulino – 1-23 On January 4, 2023, I was sworn to serve as a State Representative for the District 16th Essex. For me the privilege to serve our community is a responsibility that I take very seriously. Last November and before the general elections I travelled to Washington DC to receive […]