Apr
30
Firefighters Rally
April 30, 2008 | 1 Comment
State firefighters rallied at the State House yesterday, with a focus on the ongoing dispute between the City of Boston and the Fire Uniuon over mandatory drug testing. From the Globe:
Boston firefighters have been criticized in recent months for resisting mandatory drug tests, after autopsy results indicated that one of two firefighters who died in [...]
Apr
30
Tsongas “undecided”
April 30, 2008 | 1 Comment
Fifth Congressional Congresswoman (and super-delegate) Niki Tsongas, in an A.P. interview carried in the Herald, says she is undecided in the presidential race. She is saying that she will make a call by the end of June, and that a longer wait could have negative consequences for the party.
She says most undecided Democratic superdelegates [...]
Apr
29
Deficits do Matter
April 29, 2008 | 6 Comments
The idea that deficits don’t matter (promulgated as a matter of politics by Dick Cheney) certainly has sunk in on the Republican side, with tax proposals pushed by John McCain likely to add trillions to our deficit over the next decade (if adopted). The current administration squandered the surplus left by the Clinton Administration, and [...]
Apr
28
Clyburn Assails Clinton
April 28, 2008 | 4 Comments
Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina, the third ranking member of the House and a black leader nationally, assailed Bill Clinton for some of his conduct during this primary season. In a New York Times interview Clyburn made some points that could have impact beyond this primary season. From the Times:
One of the nation’s most [...]
Apr
25
The Budget and Frills
April 25, 2008 | 4 Comments
The Tribune wrote a story on the budget deliberations underway in Methuen, and I was quoted as saying that it would be a “no frills” budget. The same story also highlighted the possibility of layoffs to balance the budget, and with that combination I have some folks criticizing me for equating potential layoffs in our [...]
Apr
23
Tom Tancredo Insults the Pope
April 23, 2008 | 4 Comments
Congressman Tom Tancredo, who ran a “stellar” campaign for President, amassing a string of showings in the one and two percent support ranges before withdrawal, has now chosen to insult Pope Benedict XVI over the Pope’s comments on immigration. Tancredo was scored for this latest display of stupidity by the Wall Street Journal editorial page [...]
Apr
22
Clinton Carries PA
April 22, 2008 | Leave a Comment
MSNBC and most networks are calling the state of PA for Senator Hillary Clinton. The exact margin is not clear as of yet, but the spin game has begun. The Obama campaign is pointing to a prospective low margin Clinton victory as “not enough” to stop the Obama nomination. Those numbers will be up [...]
Apr
22
PA predictions?
April 22, 2008 | 5 Comments
Time to put on your pundits hats and call the PA primary numbers today. Who will win, and by what margin? The bragging rights for the winner will likely make that person unbearable for months. I am taking the safe road, and predict a five point win by Hillary Clinton. Is there any chance that [...]
Apr
21
Local Legislative Municipal Relief Package
April 21, 2008 | 6 Comments
After a series of meetings between the Merrimack Valley Mayors and Managers coalition and local lawmakers a legislative package of items that would bring non-monetary relief to municipalities has been agreed to and will be submitted by our legislative partners. The Tribune offered some coverage of this package today. Some elements of the package were [...]
Apr
21
New Accessible Doorways at Methuen’s Timony School
April 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Methuen’s Disabilities Commission, using monies derived from its own revolving fund, have financed the installation of pushbutton openers on the entrance doors to the Timony School as well as the other Grammar schools. I would like to thank the School Department, Sid Harris, Jeanne Molloy and the Members of the Disabilities Commission for their [...]