Author Archives: billmanzi

NBC Calls Iowa for Barack Obama

NBC News has called the Iowa Democratic Caucus for Barack Obama. With 72% reporting the numbers look like this: Obama 35% Edwards 31% Clinton 31% Richardson 2% Biden 1% A tough loss for Hillary. She would have preferred an Edwards … Continue reading

Posted in National News | 2 Comments

NBC Calls Iowa for Huckabee

NBC news has just called the Republican caucus winner Mike Huckabee. With 50 percent reporting the numbers look like this: Huckabee 35% Romney 24% Thompson 14% McCain 12% Paul 11% Guiliani 4% A stunning defeat for the Mittster. Look out … Continue reading

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Lahey Elected Council Chairman

Central District Councilor Phil Lahey was elected City Council Chairman in the Council organizational session held last evening. Lahey received five votes to defeat Central District Councilor John Cronin, who got four. Congratulations to Chairman Lahey and congratulations to newly … Continue reading

Posted in Methuen City Council | Leave a comment

Municipal Meltdown

I know that I am late getting to talking about the Commonwealth Magazine article on municipal finance so aptly titled “municipal meltdown” but this subject does not fade with time. It was a fine article, and has prompted much discussion, … Continue reading

Posted in Municipal Finance, State News | 20 Comments

Christmas Tournament Redux

Congrats to the CCHS basketball team, which defeated Lawrence in Saturday night action to win the annual Christmas Tourney. Methuen lost to a scrappy Andover squad in the preliminary. If you haven’t had an opportunity to see some schoolboy (or … Continue reading

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Bhutto Assasination

Benazir Bhutto’s assasination and the government explanation of it are further called into question by the linked video from NBC showing a different view of the events. Link to the video here. This assasination has left the Musharaff government teetering, … Continue reading

Posted in International | 5 Comments

Christmas Tournament

The Methuen High School squad was defeated by Lawrence in Christmas Tournament action on Thursday. Having had an opportunity to see the game I can tell you that Methuen’s effort was outstanding, and the game was a lot closer than … Continue reading

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Mayoral Vetoes

Today’s Eagle Tribune reports that I have vetoed two pieces of City Council legislation. The first legislation vetoed was the extension of the sewer and water task force. The Task Force was created by City Council action and was designed … Continue reading

Posted in Methuen, Methuen City Council | 4 Comments

The fight over Voter ID

A story in the Washington Post details the partisan divide that exists over voter ID requirements that are being passed in several states and being challenged through the court system. The Supreme Court will open the new year with its … Continue reading

Posted in National News | 1 Comment

Happy Holidays I am back!

After a holiday hiatus I am back writing on this blog. I apologize for my absence but a holiday season spent debating water and sewer rates made it difficult to get to this blog. Consider this to be an open … Continue reading

Posted in Methuen | 2 Comments