By: DJ Deeb – June, 2015 The end of the school year is always an exciting time for students, parents, teachers, and support staff. May and June are always busily filled months with awards nights, orientations, and planning for the next year. Many exciting changes are being planned for the 2015-2016 school year. First off, […]
By: DJ Deeb – May, 2015 I want to comment on Dr. Chuck Ormsby’s Valley Patriot column from last month titled, “I’m A Pro-Semite.” I often find myself in agreement with Chuck’s Libertarian views and I enjoy reading his editorials each month, but I must disagree with his analysis of Israel’s elections as I have […]
By: DJ Deeb – April, 2015 Methuen residents have much to be grateful for with members of the City Council working in conjunction with members of the Methuen Athletic Awareness Association to formulate a plan to renovate the Methuen High Stadium within the existing City Budget. At the same time, students in the graduating Class […]
By: DJ Deeb – March, 2016 February has been a difficult month for Methuen Public Schools as it has been for residents and homeowners throughout the Commonwealth due to the multiple storms that our region has experienced. In addition to dealing with the snow and ice, a great deal of discussion ensued regarding the present […]
By: D.J. Deeb – January, 2015 Methuen Public Schools is fortunate to have such a strong and proactive Technology Department. At our December School Committee, Director of Instructional Technology Ed Lussier reported on a variety of activities and projects currently taking place in Methuen Public Schools involving students utilizing technology to complete academic tasks. When […]
By: DJ Deeb – November, 2014 Methuen residents have much to be proud of when it comes to Methuen High School and its students. The number of students taking and passing Advanced Placement courses is on the rise and the number of students qualifying for the John and Abigail Adams scholarship for scoring at Advanced […]
By: DJ Deeb – September, 2014 As the 2014-2015 school year approaches, exciting changes are taking place in Methuen Public Schools. Members of the Methuen School Committee have been working hard over the summer with Superintendent Judy Scannell and Mayor Steve Zanni to ensure that our schools are prepared to service Methuen students and provide […]
By: D.J. Deeb – April, 2014 METHUEN– Members of the Methuen School Committee have been working very hard along with Superintendent Judy Scannell and her Administrative Team to make positive changes for Methuen’s Schools. Team work, open communication, and dedication have made it possible to benefit Methuen’s students. Since honestly taking office as a member […]
By: D.J. Deeb – September, 2013 The United States is considering intervening in the civil war in Syria because of allegations that the Syrian government of Bashar Assad used chemical weapons in the conflict. If President Obama orders a military strike on Syria, it would constitute both an illegal and unconstitutional action on the part […]
The Tewksbury Board of Selectmen voted unanimously on July 18 to move forward a process that will let Tewksbury residents vote on whether or not to allow a Casino in their town. Tewksbury Selectmen should be commended for making the right decision in moving this proposal forward despite opposition from some powerful anti-casino interests. Although […]
By D.J. Deeb – May, 2013 After 10 hours of debate on the evening of Monday, April 8, 2013, the Massachusetts State House of Representatives voted 97-55 to increase the current 21-cent-per-gallon state gas tax by 3-cents to 24-cents-per-gallon in 2015 and further indexing it to inflation each year following resulting in further gas […]
By: D.J. Deeb – September, 2012 On Thursday, July 26th, Lawrence Superior Court Judge Robert Cornetta ruled that the City of Methuen had failed to prove its case that the Civil Service Commission erred in ordering the reinstatement of Joe Solomon as Methuen’s Police Chief. This was not only the right decision for Solomon, […]
By: D.J. Deeb – April, 2011 The Dracut Town elections are just a few short weeks away on Monday, May 2nd. A debt exclusion issue, the Selectmen, School Committee, and Town Moderator seats are proving to be most contentious races this year. As I wrote in last month’s column, the Massachusetts School Building Authority […]
By: D.J. Deeb – November, 2010 Dracut residents recently rejected a warrant article lowering the quorum requirement at its annual November town meetings to 50. This change was proposed by Dracut Town Clerk Kathy Graham as a cost saving measure. Although I can appreciate Kathy Graham’s good intentions, I believe that lowering the quorum […]