Author Archives: billmanzi

Lahey Elected Council Chairman

Posted on January 3, 2008 by billmanzi

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

Posted on January 1, 2008 by billmanzi

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

Posted on December 31, 2007 by billmanzi

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 →

Posted in Methuen | Leave a comment

Bhutto Assasination

Posted on December 31, 2007 by billmanzi

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

Posted on December 29, 2007 by billmanzi

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 →

Posted in Methuen | Leave a comment

Mayoral Vetoes

Posted on December 29, 2007 by billmanzi

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

Posted on December 27, 2007 by billmanzi

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!

Posted on December 27, 2007 by billmanzi

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

The False Conservative

Posted on December 4, 2007 by billmanzi

With Mike Huckabee surging in both Iowa and in national polls the business portion of the former Republican majority has launched an all out attack on his “conservative” credentials. The attack has been led by the “Club for Growth”, who … Continue reading →

Posted in National News | 14 Comments

The end is near! -or- With a Little Help from my friends

Posted on December 2, 2007 by billmanzi

For all of those folks counting down the minutes until George W. Bush leaves office you can rest assured you are not alone. Washington’s business lobby has its eye on that clock, and anticipating Democratic gains, is pushing the Administration … Continue reading →

Posted in National News | 9 Comments