Author Archives: billmanzi

Municipal Budget Passed

Posted on June 28, 2009 by billmanzi

Yesterday the City Council met in Saturday session to vote a municipal budget, which was approved unanimously. I will post the full budget here tommorow, and talk a little bit more on some of the specifics. The School budget was … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, Methuen City Council, Municipal Finance | Tagged , | Leave a comment

President Obama on Markey-Waxman

Posted on June 27, 2009 by billmanzi

The House passed the Markey-Waxman bill yesterday by a narrow margin, with the bill prevailing by a 219-212 vote, with eight Republicans voting to support the measure, and 44 Democrats voting against. It was a tough political slog to get … Continue reading →

Posted in National News | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Accord Reached with Patrolman

Posted on June 26, 2009 by billmanzi

I am happy to be able to announce that I have reached a tentative accord with Methuen’s Patrolman’s Union that will avert the twenty layoffs that had been scheduled to occur with the adoption of the FY2010 Municipal budget. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, Methuen City Council, Municipal Finance | Tagged | 5 Comments

Governor Prepares to Sign

Posted on June 26, 2009 by billmanzi

Governor Patrick indicated in today’s Globe that he is prepared to sign both the Transportation Reform bill, as well as the Ethics Reform bill passed by the Legislature. And since he will sign both he appears to have no choice … Continue reading →

Posted in State News | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

The King of Pop is Gone

Posted on June 25, 2009 by billmanzi

Michael Jackson passed today after a long strange ride through life. Here he is from Thriller, his masterpiece, teaming with guitar god Eddie Van Halen to produce one of the albums great songs.

Posted in National News | Tagged | 4 Comments

Methuen’s Budget

Posted on June 24, 2009 by billmanzi

City Council met last night to adopt the Municipal budget, and got through a couple of sections before recessing until Saturday morning at 9 a.m. I have not posted on the municipal budget because of the changing nature of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, Municipal Finance | Tagged , | 4 Comments

The Nuclear Option

Posted on June 24, 2009 by billmanzi

With the clock running Governor Deval Patrick faces some key political choices in the next few days, including whether to sign the Transportation Bill, and what to do on the state budget. The Governor has threatened a veto of the … Continue reading →

Posted in State News | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Obama at Radio and TV Correspondents Dinner

Posted on June 21, 2009 by billmanzi

President Obama at the Correspondents Dinner. Another good job. I liked the joke about Brian Williams.

Posted in National News | Tagged | 2 Comments

Jib Jab Strikes Again

Posted on June 20, 2009 by billmanzi

Jib Jab strikes again, unveiling this video at the Radio and Television Correspondents dinner yesterday. Great stuff.

Posted in National News | Tagged | 3 Comments

President Obama on Financial Reform

Posted on June 20, 2009 by billmanzi

The President talks about financial reform and oversight in his weekly message. There can be no doubt that financial chicanery has put this nation in a deep bind, and renewed and vigorous oversight of the financial sector is something that … Continue reading →

Posted in National News | Tagged | 2 Comments