By Tom Duggan – July, 2013 Always outspoken and often controversial, the West District Councilor has had her share of political scuffles over the last six years, but even those who had an adversarial relationship with Pappalardo say they respect her even though they were on opposite sides of most political battles. “Jeanne Pappalardo is […]
By: Tom Duggan – March 24, 2013 Methuen Police Chief Joe Solomon has reached a settlement with the city in his federal lawsuit claiming he wrongfully terminated during the Manzi administration. Solomon will be paid $100,001 plus legal costs in a judgment against the City of Methuen accepted by the city’s lawyers. The settlement was finalized today and brings an […]
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 […]
Police Chief Joe Solomon Talks of Drugs, Politics and all those Lawsuits By: Tom Duggan, August 8, 2012 Methuen Police Chief, Joe Solomon, appeared on 980AM WCAP’s Paying Attention! Radio Program with Tom Duggan last month where he revealed details about Methuen’s increasing crime problems, his recent court battles with the city, and the direction […]
From the desk of Methuen Mayor Bill Manzi – August – 2011 A Letter to the President and Congress was signed by Methuen Mayor Bill Manzi and other area mayors here is that letter: Dear President Obama, Senate Majority Leader Reid, House Speaker Boehner, Senate Minority Leader McConnell, and House Minorty Leader Pelosi: Now […]
By: Methuen Mayor Bill Manzi – April, 2011 Municipal health care continues to be a dominant political issue for localities, with both Governor Patrick and Speaker Deleo advocating reform that would allow savings of over $100 million per year statewide. The Legislature held a hearing on this subject a couple of weeks back, but as […]
The State Of The City Address by Mayor William M. Manzi III was delivered at the Methuen Board of Trade Meeting February 10, 2011** Let me begin by thanking Karen Broscoe and The Methuen Board of Trade for hosting this great event again this year. The Methuen Board of Trade excels in bringing the business […]
Solomon: No deals I’m Coming back to work By: Tom Duggan – August, 2010 Last month, the Mass. Civil Service Commission ruled that the City of Methuen wrongly terminated Police Chief Joe Solomon. After more than two years of appealing his firing by Methuen Mayor Billy Manzi, and a spate of what turned out […]
Mayor Bill Manzi Attacks Tribune for “misleading reporting” By: Tom Duggan – January, 2010 The Massachusetts Department of Revenue has certified the City of Methuen’s tax rate as voted on by the city council last week. Mayor Bill Manzi told the Valley Patriot that he was excited to be able to send out the property […]
Mayor Manzi Attacks Tribune for “misleading reporting” By: Tom Duggan – January, 2010 The Massachusetts Department of Revenue has certified the City of Methuen’s tax rate as voted on by the city council last week. Mayor Bill Manzi told the Valley Patriot that he was excited to be able to send out the property […]
Claims Mayor’s actions against him are retaliatory and invokes protections under federal and state whistleblower laws Supporters of Methuen Police Chief Joe Solmon – February 18, 2008 METHUEN, MA – Whistleblower (noun): An employee, former employee, or member of an organization, especially a business or government agency, who reports misconduct to people or entities […]
Defends Grant Spending, Says Eagle~Tribune Attacks on Him and Dept. Motivated by “Racism Against Arab-Americans” By: Tom Duggan – February, 2007 Methuen Police Chief Joe Solomon said in an exclusive interview with The Valley Patriot this week that federal grant money from the Department of Justice for thecity’s Weed & Seed program was spent legally […]
December, 2006 Last month, Methuen city councilors tried to inject themselves into the so-called controversy between Police Chief Joe Solomon and the officers and union members under his command. What’s more, they tried to subvert the Methuen City Charter by interfering with Mayor Bill Manzi’s clearly defined duties as the chief executive officer of the […]
PAYING ATTENTION! WITH TOM DUGGAN By: Tom Duggan – June, 2006 Every year people who work for “non profit” organizations like Lawrence Community Works make their fortunes crowding into Lawrence’s council chambers, whining about how badly “they” need more of your tax dollars to build and secure housing for the “poor” people of Lawrence. Yet, […]
By: Tom Duggan – March 2006 While suburban cities and towns like North Andover are cutting their teaching staff and eliminating art and music programs due to lack of funding, Wilfredo Laboy and the Lawrence School Committee have chosen to use state education dollars for out of state travel conferences (to the tune of $4,000) […]