Monthly Archives: July 2008

The Gore Speech

Posted on July 20, 2008 by billmanzi

Al Gore gave a major speech last week on energy. I know that the Gore haters will flame this post, but Gore is breaking some important ground. And in anticipation of the criticism lets get right to it. It has … Continue reading →

Posted in National News | 10 Comments

Cahill moves to standardize design

Posted on July 18, 2008 by billmanzi

State Treasurer Tim Cahill, in charge of the Massachusetts School Building Authority, has called for standardized design to be used for new school construction. The Cahill call for such use is in line with a long-standing request by Inspector General … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, State News | 4 Comments

Methuen adds lacrosse

Posted on July 18, 2008 by billmanzi

I have had numerous requests in the past year to add the sport of lacrosse to the outstanding menu of youth sports activities in Methuen. With a group of persistent residents nipping at my heels I have promulgated an executive … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, Sports | Leave a comment

Texas moves further ahead on wind

Posted on July 18, 2008 by billmanzi

Texas, the national leader in wind power, has approved what is being described as the nation’s largest wind power project. From the Globe: Texas officials gave preliminary approval yesterday to the nation’s largest wind-power project, a plan to build billions … Continue reading →

Posted in State News | 1 Comment

Legislature Removes Municipal Retiree Cola

Posted on July 17, 2008 by billmanzi

The legislative budget conference committee removed the provision that had been inserted in the Senate version of the budget that raised the base for calculating municipal retiree cost of living increases from $12,000 to $16,000. This prospective change, made without … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, State News | Leave a comment

Mayor Sullivan blasts same day registration bill

Posted on July 17, 2008 by billmanzi

Mayor Michael Sullivan of Lawrence blasted the state proposal to allow same day voter registration, saying that it invited fraud and was “ridiculous”. Sullivan’s comments are in todays Tribune, and highlighted another issue of concern to cities and towns, and … Continue reading →

Posted in State News | 3 Comments

Tables turned on Bill O’Reilly

Posted on July 17, 2008 by billmanzi

Is there a bigger bloviater in the media than Bill O’Reilly? (Geez, I hadn’t thought of Limbaugh). Well O’Reilly had his producer out to do an “ambush” interview with Bill Moyers, but boy did the tables get turned on him. … Continue reading →

Posted in National News | 5 Comments

Financial Trouble for School Lunches

Posted on July 16, 2008 by billmanzi

With food prices escalating sharply and fuel costs increasing delivery expense school lunch programs throughout Massachusetts are suffering deficits and being forced to raise prices. The Boston Globe featured this issue today amid problems in communities everywhere. From the Globe: … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, State News | 1 Comment

The 9-c danger to localities

Posted on July 16, 2008 by billmanzi

The Governor’s call for expanded powers to make budget cuts mid-year (the so called 9-c power) has the potential, if applied to local aid, to cause serious disruption to the operations of municipalities throughout the Commonwealth. The Governor’s request came … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, State News | 8 Comments

The Obama Thrust on Iraq

Posted on July 15, 2008 by billmanzi

Senator Barack Obama, in an op-ed piece in the New York Times, called for agreement with Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki’s position that there ought to be a timetable for American troop withdrawal from Iraq. His plan, from the Times Op-Ed … Continue reading →

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