Author Archives: billmanzi

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 →

Posted in National News | Leave a comment

Patrick Wields Veto Pen

Posted on July 14, 2008 by billmanzi

Governor Deval Patrick vetoed $122.5 million dollars in spending approved by the State Legislature in the FY 2009 budget, and has asked for additional budgetary authority to make mid-year cuts if necessary. From the Boston Globe: “We’ve got to prepare … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, State News | 3 Comments

State Reps Race Heats Up

Posted on July 14, 2008 by billmanzi

(I have endorsed Linda Dean Campbell in this race.) The Democratic primary for State Representative, scheduled for September 16th, has been a sleepy event so far, but is starting to pick up a little bit. Challenger Chris Dibella has accused … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen | 1 Comment

Sex Offender Law Proposed

Posted on July 14, 2008 by billmanzi

Methuen City Councilor Ken Willette has proposed a city ordinance that would legally restrict the rights of level three sex offenders to travel to certain areas of the city. He would prohibit those offenders from traveling within 1000 feet of … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen | 1 Comment

U.S., Iraq Talks Break Down

Posted on July 13, 2008 by billmanzi

U.S. and Iraqi talks over the status of U.S. forces have broken down, leaving the long term determination over a U.S.-Iraqi status of forces agreement to the next President. The Bush administration, operating under a U.N. mandate that expires at … Continue reading →

Posted in National News | 1 Comment