By: Ken Willette, Jr. – Oct. 24. 2015 Local media outlets may soon publish articles highlighting the projections of election officials regarding a sub-par turnout from Methuen voters. While some races will go uncontested, this is definitely not the occasion to avoid casting a ballot and remaining silent over your concerns about the course of […]
By Kenneth Willette – November, 2013 This is the mission statement of the Common Core Standards (CCS) that has been adopted by the Massachusetts Department of Education. “The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to […]
By: Tom Duggan – October, 2013 Once thought to be unbeatable, incumbent West End City Councilor Sean Fountain now has a fight on his hands to be re-elected. With Jeanne Pappalardo unable to run for re-election because of terms limits, voters will have to choose two of three very popular polls. Sean Fountain: Fountain is […]
By: Tom Duggan – August 20, 2013 North Andover firefighter and first term West End Councilor Sean Fountain is seeking a second term on the city council. There are two open seats representing the West End on the city council. There are three candidates seeking the position meaning one of the three will be eliminated […]
By: Kenneth Willette – August, 2013 Based on constructive and positive feedback I received from political supporters, family members and friends in Methuen’s West End, I decided recently to join the race for West District Councilor. I have watched, with great dismay, the actions of the Methuen City Council over the past two years, which […]
By: Tom Duggan – July 27, 2013 Methuen School Committeeman Evan Chaisson says he is dropping out of the West End City Council Race and endorsing former councilor and school committeeman Ken Willette and incumbent Councilor Sean Fountain to fill the two seats up for election in November. Also a candidate in that race is […]
By Ken Willette, August, 2012 I have known Bill Manzi since the mid-90s through our volunteer efforts affiliated with the Methuen Arlington Neighborhood and through our respective stints on the Methuen City Council and the Methuen School Committee, where he served as Chairman. I recognize him to be a dedicated family man and generally […]
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 […]
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: Kenneth Willette – April, 2011 I have officially announced my candidacy for Methuen Mayor. I want to personally thank the Valley Patriot for allowing me to continue to express my ideas every month. I have worked on many issues over my tenure as Methuen City Councilor at Large and School Committeeman. I am the […]
November, 2005 The running joke before last week’s election was: “who is going to LOSE by a wider margin, Marcos Devers in Lawrence or Ellen Bahan in Methuen?” Well, Ellen won that one, but not much else. She lost the mayoral race to Bill Manzi by a margin of 28% to 68%, a resounding victory […]