State Senate Passes Youth Group Homes in the Valley and the Commonwealth

State Senate Passes Youth Group Homes in the Valley and the Commonwealth

By State Senator Katy Ives – Aug 2017 The Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the Department of Mental Health license youth group homes throughout the state that house adolescents removed from their families. Over the past few years, the City of Haverhill has seen a significant surge in calls from group home staff, […]

MA Senate Passes Bill To Ban ALL Hand Held Cell Phone Use, Electronic Devices While Driving

MA Senate Passes Bill To Ban ALL Hand Held Cell Phone Use, Electronic Devices While Driving

BOSTON – Today, the Massachusetts State Senate passed a piece of legislation which claims will reduce motor vehicle accidents and fatalities by prohibiting the use of ALL hand held electronic mobile devices while operating a motor vehicle.          “The technological capabilities of cell phones have given drivers more opportunities to become distracted at […]

Strengthening Prescription Drug Safety ~ IN YOUR CORNER WITH SENATOR IVES

Strengthening Prescription Drug Safety ~ IN YOUR CORNER WITH SENATOR IVES

By: State Senator Katy O’Connor Ives – June, 2017 The Massachusetts State Senate debated the Fiscal Year 2018 state budget last month, where I advocated for key provisions that will be beneficial to the constituents of my district and the Commonwealth. One of the amendments in the Senate Fiscal Year 2018 budget, which I co-sponsored, […]

Residents Deserve Beaches That Are Safe and Affordable

Residents Deserve Beaches That Are Safe and Affordable

By: State Senator Katy Ives May, 2017 The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is responsible for the stewardship of over 450,000 acres of land which include parks, beaches, forests, pools, skating rinks and campgrounds. DCR lost nearly 400 full-time positions (31% of its workforce) in the last seven years. As such, we need to […]

Early Voting Can Be a FUNDED Mandate – IN YOUR CORNER WITH SENATOR KATY IVES

Early Voting Can Be a FUNDED Mandate – IN YOUR CORNER WITH SENATOR KATY IVES

By: State Senator Katy Ives – April, 2017 Early Voting passed into law in 2014 and this past presidential election was the first in which residents were allowed to vote before Election Day. This is an advantageous concept for many people that want to vote but can’t get to the ballot box on one given […]

Massachusetts Senate Opposes Trump’s National Security Measures

Massachusetts Senate Opposes Trump’s National Security Measures

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed a resolution Thursday to condemn the recent Executive Order issued by President Donald J. Trump which bars entry to the United States for certain nationals from seven Muslim-majority nations. The resolution recognizes the unique importance of immigration to the history of Massachusetts since its founding, through the present. […]

Changing Sewer-User Fees Rejected By Town Meeting

Changing Sewer-User Fees Rejected By Town Meeting

November, 2016 At Annual Town Meeting, Article 18 (Sewer User Fees charged by Actual Metered Water Method) the Selectmen/Sewer Commissioners voted against the interests of the single families, seniors and those who conserve water in the Town of Salisbury. According to them, it is perfectly fair for the Town of Salisbury to charge senior citizens […]

Strengthening Public Health and Safety ~ IN YOUR CORNER WITH KATY IVES

Strengthening Public Health and Safety  ~ IN YOUR CORNER WITH KATY IVES

By: State Senator Katy Ives – Oct. 2016 On July 31, the formal legislative session technically ended, meaning that between August and January, no formal voting on major bills takes place. In the months leading up to the beginning of a new formal session in January, I’m focusing in on what bills are priorities for […]

Salisbury Annual Fall Town Meeting

Salisbury Annual Fall Town Meeting

The Town of Salisbury is holding its’ Annual Town Meeting on October 24th at 7pm at the Salisbury Elementary School. Voters should know what is on the warrant within two weeks before town meeting. Warrant Articles will be posted on the Town of Salisbury website. Two articles submitted by town residents address sewer user fees […]

Valley Patriot Salisbury Notebook ~ Condos on the Barrier Beach

Valley Patriot Salisbury Notebook ~ Condos on the Barrier Beach

  HARRINGTON SOFTENS – After years of complaints from residents about the way the Town of Salisbury charges for sewer user fees based on “flat fee” per unit, Town Manager Neil Harrington seems to be coming around on the idea of charging for sewer user fees based on their actual metered water usage instead of […]

Robito, O’Reilly Attack Chief Coppinger on Pension, Crime in Lynn

Robito, O’Reilly Attack Chief Coppinger on Pension, Crime in Lynn

At the debate for the Democratic candidates in August, Jerry Flynn, Executive Director of the New England Police Benevolent Association, asked the candidates if they would take their pension and the sheriff’s salary if they are elected. Prior to this exchange below, candidate Paul Russell said that he would do the job for free as […]

GOP Candidates for Sheriff Tackle Issue of Homeless Inmates

GOP Candidates for Sheriff Tackle Issue of Homeless Inmates

THE ELECTION IS THURSDAY, SEPT. 8th The Valley Patriot in conjunction with the Greater Lawrence Psychological Center’s Carina Pappalardo, hosted a debate for the Republican candidates for Essex County Sheriff. The event was held at the American Legion on Broadway in Methuen and was covered by both the Methuen and Salisbury cable access channels. The […]

My Thoughts on the Essex County Sheriff’s Race

My Thoughts on the Essex County Sheriff’s Race

September 3, 2016 The most important race on the September 8th primary election ballot is the Essex County Sheriff’s race. The Sheriff is elected for six years and makes about $150,000. He runs all jails and prisons in Essex County and oversees probation, drug and alcohol programs, and decides who goes home early and who […]