Monthly Archives: December 2009

Today's Tribune Story on Pension Obligation

Posted on December 31, 2009 by billmanzi

Today’s Tribune has a story on pension funding by the City of Methuen. The online version has a headline which reads “Mayor says City not able to pay pension money today”, which is not what I said. I said that … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, Methuen City Council, Municipal Finance | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Tax Demagoguery

Posted on December 27, 2009 by billmanzi

I am back from a Christmas respite from blogging. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. As you likely know the Methuen City Council is faced with a vote on tax classification, which has brought forward a torrent … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Dems Reach 60 in the Senate

Posted on December 20, 2009 by billmanzi

With Senator Ben Nelson coming on board after a hard fought compromise on abortion was reached the Democratic Party has reached the 60 vote margin necessary to pass the Senate version of health care reform. Nelson achieved more than changes … Continue reading →

Posted in National News | Tagged | 1 Comment

The President on Health Care

Posted on December 19, 2009 by billmanzi

The President spends his weekly address on health care, talking about the past failure of a patient bill of rights, and decrying the parliamentary obstruction of the Republican Party on health care. Meanwhile the Senate Democrats continue to struggle to … Continue reading →

Posted in State News | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Methuen High School Project Moves Forward

Posted on December 16, 2009 by billmanzi

Today’s Eagle Tribune details the results of yesterday’s Building Committee Meeting, where a “preferred’ design was selected by the Committee. The school design selected, referred to as the “bridge” concept, will now be submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen | Tagged | 2 Comments

Katie Oskar is December S.O.A.R. Award Recipient

Posted on December 15, 2009 by billmanzi

“Academically distinguished, intellectually inquisitive, and athletically gifted best describe senior Katie Oskar,” states Principal Jim Guica. Methuen High School is pleased to recognize a student of Katie’s stature as the S.O.A.R Award recipient for December. Katie is a student athlete … Continue reading →

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The Explosion in Pension Costs

Posted on December 14, 2009 by billmanzi

Today’s Tribune has a story about pension costs in Methuen, and how the continued rapid escalation in these costs are threatening municipal finances throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I do agree with Michael Widmer that any extension of the full … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, Municipal Finance, State News | Tagged | 1 Comment

President Obama on Sixty Minutes

Posted on December 14, 2009 by billmanzi

The President, back on Sixty Minutes, talked Afghanistan, financial reform, and yes, even had to address the issue of the party crashers at the recent state dinner. The President backed the recent point made by Defense Secretary Robert Gates that … Continue reading →

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President Obama on Financial Reform

Posted on December 12, 2009 by billmanzi

President Obama used his weekly address to praise the financial regulation package passed by the House. The President talked about the package, and about the opposition to it in some banking circles, both in his weekly message and on 60 … Continue reading →

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Coakley v Brown

Posted on December 9, 2009 by billmanzi

Attorney General Martha Coakley scored a quite impressive victory in the Democratic primary yesterday, racking up 47% of the vote in a four person race. Second place finisher Michael Capuano had 28%, with Alan Khazei third, and Steve Pagliuca fourth. … Continue reading →

Posted in National News, State News | Tagged | 3 Comments