By: Peter Larocque – June, 2012 I would like to respond to an Editorial entitled, “Bake Sale Band Flap” that was published in the Eagle-Tribune on 5/13/2012. Towards the end of the editorial, the writer makes a conclusion concerning the crux of the matter, “when Legislators hand off their power to control the fine […]
By: Joe D’Amore – June, 2012 The community action movements that swept Lawrence “It’s Your Right” and “Uniting Lawrence” appear to have initated derivative actions that speak to a yearning for change in this city. These have manifested themselves in unique ways such as a proliferation of Face Book groups, radio programs, letter writing […]
By: Bob Cuomo – June, 2o12 On May 19, 2012 the Mount Vernon Neighborhood Association had its election of Officers and Trustees. This year for the first time in 20 years they had to make changes as Frank Incropera was stepping down as President of the MVNA, a position he has held for some […]
By; Tom Duggan – June, 2012 Former Methuen Mayor and Democrat candidate for State Senate in the Massachusetts First Essex District race, Bill Manzi, called into “Paying Attention!” with Tom Duggan and co-host Paul Muranao on WCAP radio 980AM to talk about where he stands on the issues facing Massachusetts Voters. The First Essex […]
By: Ken Willette – June, 2012 I have observed with great dissatisfaction political decisions being considered or enacted by our local leadership in Methuen. With each questionable decision, I have come to the same conclusions: when are real government reforms going to be implemented and how much will these recent actions to augment the […]
THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX By: Dr. Charles Ormsby – June, 2012 You’ve probably heard of “Conservative Democrats.” Lately they have been as scarce as hen’s teeth. Locally, I viewed the late Senator Steve Baddour (still breathing, but no longer a state senator) as a Conservative Democrat. While we had a modest overlap of views, […]
By: Jeff Katz – June, 2011 There are times as a father where your son can just plain make you proud. I look back on some of those times now, as my oldest son Harry embarks on the next part of his scouting journey which I hope and pray will one day bring him […]
By: Tom Duggan – May, 2011 When Methuen artist Sharon Silverman decided to curate a Mail Art exhibit depicting the many faces of Jesus from around the world, she had no idea how big or how popular it would become. “I wanted to do an art show that depicted the many ways people in […]
By: Gerry Nutter – May, 2011 On April 26th for the 2nd time since February the Lowell City Council received a “White Paper” dealing with suggestions of how the Council should spend taxpayer dollars from a Political Action Committee based here in Lowell named Move Lowell Forward. In the 2009 election this “non-partisan citizens […]
VALLEY PATRIOT EDITORIAL May, 2012 For nearly 40 years Phil Laverriere served the Merrimack Valley as the head of the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council. In that time, Mr. Laverriere helped tens of thousands of poor people get heat in the winter, day care for their children, provided education and English Classes for newly arriving […]
By: Jeff Katz – May, 2011 Sporting his best Brooks Brothers casual while serving up chicken chili in a barnyard, Willard Mitt Romney made it officially official the other day while visiting his home State of New Hampshire that he was once again running for President of the United States. This announcement was completely […]
By: Ronnie Ford – May 2012 Get your calculators out folks! Yep! There are 763 candidates for various offices in the Merrimack Valley area. Some are good, some not so good. So be very careful when casting your vote. Do some homework on the candidates that you choose; make sure that they have the views […]
By: Kenneth Willette May, 2012 I was quite amused to learn recently that Deval Patrick will be making the rounds on the national press circuit as an official spokesperson for the Obama re-election campaign. I am actually thrilled that he is the national spokesperson, because his dubious record on crime, illegal immigration and tax […]
By: Rob Eno – May, 2012 After completing work on a $32.5 billion budget, Speaker Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop) said the budget process was, “the most open and transparent we can have”. The non-partisan Center for Public Integrity, among others, strongly disagrees. They recently gave Massachusetts an F for openness and transparency in our budgeting […]
By: Joe D’Amore – May, 2012 Here is my response to questions raised by a reporter of a local newspaper. Groveland’s Candidate’s Night is the only event that offers an opportunity for citizens to view candidates and discuss issues for upcoming elections. The event occurred on April 12th at Town Hall and was not […]