Willette Announces Write-In Campaign for Methuen School Committee Kenneth Willette (10 Burnham Road, Apt. 506A) officially announced his campaign today as a write-in candidate for the Methuen School Committee. Willette previously served six years on the Methuen School Committee and six years as a Methuen City Councilor at Large. Willette stated: “Based upon positive feedback […]
Shawn Hart is also Previously Convicted Felon BOSTON – A Methuen man was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Boston for allegedly trafficking counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine, unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition and using a firearm in relation of a drug trafficking offense. Shawn Hart, 45, was charged with one […]
08/23 Just minutes after posting the story on-line about Methuen Police Captain Greg Gallant (story here) winning his Civil Service case against the City of Methuen for wrongful termination, the hate mail started pouring in. People were outraged, they were confused, and they were hostile. How could this be, many asked. How did Gallant get […]
Aug. 4, 2023 [updated] The Massachusetts Civil Service Commission has ruled that fired Methuen police Captain Greg Gallant must be returned to duty and given three years back pay after being illegally fired by Methuen Mayor Neil Perry. FULL RULING HERE Gallant v. Methuen, CS-22-388 Gallant was officially fired on June 9, 2022 after being put […]
State Rep. Estela Reyes 7/23 I want to start off this month by wishing the absolute best to all of the hardworking high school and college graduates in Lawrence and Methuen who received their diplomas this June. I am so inspired when I see the accomplishments of our young people and hear the excitement in […]
7-23 Randy Carter and Jason Gilbert from Clear Path for Veterans New England (in Devens) held a public meeting at the Methuen VFW last month to announce a $205,000 grant to service veterans in Lawrence, Methuen, and Haverhill. Clear Path’s announcement came at just the right time with the closing of Veterans Northeast Outreach (VNOC) […]
Solomon allegedly caused changes to CBA that would increase his salary and provided unwarranted benefits to five intermittent police officers, including one who was a City Councilor 7-6-23 The State Ethics Commission’s Enforcement Division has issued an Order to Show Cause alleging former City of Methuen Police Chief Joseph Solomon violated the conflict of interest […]
6-23 Over the last four years, Methuen Mayor Neil Perry and the Methuen City Council clutched their pearls and pounded their fists calling the controversial police superior officers’ contract (passed by the previous council) a “criminal contract” that was “bloated” and paid the cops “far too much of the taxpayers money.” They attacked the police […]
WHAT IS YOUR TOWN PAYING CITY EMPLOYEES? According to govsalaries.com this is how much each city listed paid their city employees in 2021 (the most recent numbers available) compared to the national average. Items of note, the average city employee salary in Methuen is the highest in the region at $76,864. This is 64% […]
By: State Rep. Estela Reyes 6-26-23 I want the Valley Patriot readers to know this month, that having the opportunity to write this column has been really helpful in serving the taxpayers of Methuen and Lawrence. This column helps me relay important information to the public about what is going on in the state legislature […]
During the last week of April, the House of Representatives, at its budget week, I am proud to report that the Methuen delegation, comprised of myself, Representative Estela Reyes and Representative Francisco Paulino secured $175,000 in local earmarks. I secured $50,000 for mental health resources in Methuen Public Schools, $25,000 for the Cogswell art centre […]
Audio Podcast on Podbean: Today Tom has a few topics he is going to cover. Firstly, his outrage at Veterans Northeast Outreach evicting homeless veterans and also Andover’s attempt to do away with Columbus Day. His main topic today is the Methuen City Councils ambush of Methuen’s Senator and state reps. Follow Tom and The […]
Each year the Valley Patriot gives out an Officer Tom Duggan, Sr. Hero Police Officer Award in honor of the former Lawrence Police Officer who was murdered in the line of duty in 1990. This year Methuen Sgt. Eric Deleon nominated Officers Schiavone and Keating to be recognized for their bravery, courage, and ability to […]
This scholarship at our annual BASH was started last year by Dave Garofalo of the Studio 21 Podcast Cafe in Salem, N.H. for a student going into media or communications. Because we did not have a Methuen High School student on our scholarship program Tom Duggan got permission from Dave to designate this scholarship […]
Ethel LaSalle, a World War II Army veteran who has donated more than 300 blankets to area veterans’ organizations over the years, was recently surprised on her 100th birthday by Methuen police, fire and city and state officials. Last month, officials said, the police department received a request for cards for LaSalle’s centennial. Methuen police […]