Firefighter Heroes – Paying Attention with Tom Duggan

January, 2005 Even if we accept that everything Judy Brito says is true, Lawrence Mayor Mike Sullivan is absolutely right when he says that most firefighters in the city of Lawrence are honest, decent, hard-working individuals. They are the men and women who go out and respond to the cries for help from innocent victims […]

It’s The Little Things That Count – SENIOR MOMENTS WITH JIM CASSIDY

Lisa Beamer was recently interviewed on Good Morning America. If you remember, she is the wife of Todd Beamer who said, “Let’s Roll!” and helped take down the plane that was heading for Washington, DC on that terrible morning of 9/11. She said it’s the little things that she misses most about Todd, such as […]

Valley Patriot of the Month: Tech. Sergeant Jeremiah Sullivan ~ Hero in Our Midst

By: Dr. Charles Ormsby – January, 2005  A boyhood attraction to trains, electronic gadgets, and Morse code earned Jeremiah (Jerry) Sullivan a ticket to see Europe by air. Actually, it was numerous tickets; they were for a B-17, and the reception wasn’t very friendly. Jerry was born and grew up in Lawrence. He graduated from […]

The Best Bang for Your Buck?

The Best Bang for Your Buck?

  By: Lawrence City Council President, Patrick Blanchette – December 2004  Unfortunately the City of Lawrence is dealing with tough financial problems this year. When I was first elected to the Lawrence City Council (over five years ago,) the annual operating budget was roughly $170 million, with a contingency reserve account of $3 million. The […]

Paying Attention! with Tom Duggan

The Grinch is REAL! Tom Duggan (Dec-2009) Warning: This column may offend anyone bothered by truth, goodness and holiday celebrations! No longer just a children’s fantasy story, “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” is alive and well in modern day America. But, the real Grinch doesn’t live at the top of Mount Crumpet. No, no, he […]

The United Nations-United for What? – THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX

The United Nations-United for What? – THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX

By: Dr. Charles Ormsby – December, 2004  I became hooked on politics in High School in the early ‘60s. My favorite bumper sticker was in support of Communist China. It read: “Admit Red China to the U.N. – Give Them Our Seat”. I’d suggest such a trade today, but I think every despotic regime is […]

Valley Patriot Kid Reporter, Hanna Interviews Haverhill School Committeeman Scott Wood

  By: Hanna -December, 2004 Valley Patriot kid reporter Hanna  interviews local celebrities and politicians each month. This month Hanna interviewed Haverhill School Committeeman Scott Wood.  What do you think about calculators in the elementary schools? Does Haverhill use them?  Haverhill does have them for their classrooms, However they are not used very often.  Do […]

A Dream Deferred

  By: Hartley Pleshaw – December, 2004  Columbus Day, 1967, was a very important day in my life. It was the day that I learned, for the first time, about life’s disappointments, and how reality can shatter dreams. It was the day I learned that there was no Santa Claus, no Never- Never Land, no […]

Heroes and Bozos

  Kudos to Selectman Wendy Wakeman for defending free speech in North Andover. Wakeman supports an open door policy for political candidates who wish to campaign at the North Andover Senior Center.  A belated three cheers for The Town of Methuen Council on aging as well as the Councils on Aging in Lawrence and Haverhill […]

Your Property Taxes in Methuen

  By: Methuen City Council President, Billy Manzi – December, 2004 With Methuen’s City Council prepared to set a “tax rate” at the December 6th meeting, it was an opportune time to discuss the process, tax classification, and general budgetary matters. While the Mayor’s recommendations were not yet available at press time, Methuen’s budget does […]