Jul
27
The Tsongas Slip
July 27, 2007 | 5 Comments
A gaffe by Niki Tsongas has led to two major newstories and much Internet chatter about her claim (highlighted on YouTube) to have “represented the District for ten years”. From the Eagle Tribune.
“I represented (the district) in Washington for 10 years,” Tsongas said in a 13-second video leaked onto the Web site YouTube five [...]
Jul
27
New Controversy for Chapter 40B
July 27, 2007 | 10 Comments
Chapter 40B, the State’s so called anti-snob zoning law, is under renewed attack. The Boston Globe has run a story detailing a renewed effort to repeal the law by a group formed for that purpose.
On Monday, John Belskis, founder of the Coalition for the Reform of 40B, went to the office of the attorney [...]
Jul
24
Big Boys Do Cry (The Tom Delay Story)
July 24, 2007 | 3 Comments
Well the moment we have all been waiting for has finally arrived. Tom Delay has put out his biography, and I am sure that the people of Massachusetts will be breaking down the doors at the local bookstores to get their copy. Delay’s book, called “No Retreat, No Surrender” is reviewed by Norman Ornstein in [...]
Jul
23
Bea’s Riverfront Land
July 23, 2007 | Leave a Comment
I have recently announced that Methuen would begin the process of improving the so called Bea’s site without the addition of a full boat ramp. This gateway site along the river has provoked much discussion, with people advocating for passive recreation, as well as for some utilization of the great river access.
Methuen received a state [...]
Jul
21
Harry Potter at the Loop
July 21, 2007 | 5 Comments
I had the pleasure of giving out the first new Harry Potter book at the Borders in Methuen at The Loop at midnight last evening. The Loop was hopping, and it seemed like thousands of people were there, enjoying themselves and waiting for a chance to buy this coveted book. Tom Duggan of the Valley [...]
Jul
21
New Tsongas Poll
July 21, 2007 | 1 Comment
A new survey released by the Tsongas campaign shows Nikki Tsongas with a strong lead in the Democratic primary scheduled in September to replace Martin Meehan. The Lowell Sun is reporting that the Tsongas poll results as
In the poll conducted Sunday, Tsongas drew support from 36 percent of the 501 likely primary voters questioned. [...]
Jul
21
Methuen Master Plan
July 21, 2007 | 1 Comment
Methuen’s Master Plan, in its final form, has been unveiled. This plan, creating a blueprint for so many facets of life in Methuen, is available at the City website or at the Master Plan website. We were fortunate to receive a grant to fund the implementation portion of the Master Plan, and that process has [...]
Jul
20
The U.A.W. and Health Care
July 20, 2007 | 5 Comments
As the U.A.W. and the big three automakers prepare to negotiate what promises to be a critically important labor contract the New York Times reports that for the first time U.A.W. retirees outnumber active workers.
That shift has the greatest impact on medical costs. Detroit automakers cover the health care expenses of both current and [...]
Jul
19
Reid digs in
July 19, 2007 | 11 Comments
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, unable to reach 60 votes to stop a Republican filibuster of a Democratic plan for Iraq withdrawal, pulled all competing proposals off of the legislative agenda, more than likely ensuring that no change in policy will occur before Labor Day. Reid’s actions drew praise from the anti-war movement, who have [...]
Jul
17
Erasing Boundaries Part Three
July 17, 2007 | Leave a Comment
I have written in prior posts (link) (link) about our attempts to break down artificial barriers that prevent administrative efficiencies from being achieved. Methuen is one of the cities involved in the planning for a regional dispatch center that would serve Essex County and eliminate the need for all communities to buy costly equipment [...]