Dec
31
More Cuts Coming
December 31, 2008 | 7 Comments
The Governor yesterday announced to the media that the state budget remains about one billion dollars short, which will trigger a new round of budget cuts that likely will include local aid.
Governor Deval Patrick said yesterday that he was preparing for up to $1 billion in additional budget cuts, raising the specter of reductions [...]
Dec
30
Torrisi Throws Dimasi Overboard
December 30, 2008 | 1 Comment
State Rep. David Torrisi (D)North Andover has indicated he will vote “present” next week instead of voting for Sal Dimasi’s re-election as House Speaker. From the Globe:
Representative David Torrisi, the House chairman of the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development, said he would vote “present” next week, a decision he labored over for months.
“The allegations [...]
Dec
30
An unsustainable path
December 30, 2008 | 9 Comments
Recent columns in the Washington Post and the New York Times point to something that has been discussed on this blog for some time, including the pre-meltdown period. And that is the just about insane economic ideas that have pushed us to the brink of disaster. Both Eugene Robinson of the Post and Bob Herbert [...]
Dec
30
Christmas Tourney Heats Up
December 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment
In the Greater Lawrence Boys Basketball Christmas Tournament Methuen defeated Greater Lawrence Regional by a 59-50 score. Methuen controlled the tempo and withstood some late pressure from the Reggies to chalk up the win. In a highly anticipated matchup State Champion Central Catholic crushed Lawrence High School 74-47 behind Billy Marsden and Carson Desrosiers. It [...]
Dec
29
Thank You to those that helped
December 29, 2008 | 1 Comment
The Eagle Tribune wrote a very nice editorial about people pulling together to help during the recent ice storm that crippled the region. They pointed out that many pitched in and praised the spirit of giving that characterizes the people of the Merrimack Valley. I would like to thank those in Methuen that showed the [...]
Dec
28
More Authority for Mayors Part 2
December 28, 2008 | 3 Comments
Today’s Eagle Tribune has an article that again discusses the potential for changing the criteria for cities to join the State GIC. Under current state law for a city to join the state GIC and take advantage of its lower cost structure it must receive 70 percent approval from the affected municipal unions. Under that [...]
Dec
28
Caroline Steps out (Gingerly)
December 28, 2008 | 4 Comments
Caroline Kennedy, taking increasing flak from within New York’s Democratic establishment, has started to interact a little bit more with the media, granting the Associated Press and the New York Times interviews. This clip from MSNBC has some highlights. Kennedy (and the non-campaign campaign) has lost some important support in the past week, including powerful [...]
Dec
27
Merrimack Valley Christmas Tournament
December 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment
I did not have a chance to make it to the first day of the Boys Basketball Christmas Tourney being played this year in Lawrence, but I am sure there was some great basketball played. Methuen lost to the undefeated Andover squad by a score of 60-47. Coach Fazio up in Andover has put together [...]
Dec
25
The Obama Holiday Message
December 25, 2008 | 2 Comments
President Elect Barack Obama’s weekly radio message with a holiday theme. Nice job. What do you think of his putting the weekly “radio” address on You Tube?
Dec
25
Merry Christmas to All
December 25, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Merry Christmas to all. I have included one of my favorite pop Christmas tunes from the Bare Naked Ladies, with Sarah Maclachlan. Enjoy the holiday!
christmas-bare-naked-ladies-sarah-mclachlan-god-rest-ye-merry-gentlemen