Author Archives: billmanzi

Methuen Public Schools, City Hall Closed Today

Posted on January 12, 2011 by billmanzi

The Methuen Public Schools, as well as City Hall, will be closed today due to the storm. Trash Pickup will occur as scheduled.

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Meaghan O'Brien Voice of Democracy Winning Submission

Posted on January 11, 2011 by billmanzi

I had the pleasure of attending the VFW Voice of Democracy/Patriot Pen event Sunday at the Methuen VFW. My thanks to Steve Paine and the Women’s Auxilliary for putting this event together. Congratulations to the winners: Patriot Pen, First Place … Continue reading →

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The Boston Foundation Education Health Care Report

Posted on January 9, 2011 by billmanzi

The Boston Foundation and the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education issued a report last month dealing with education funding in Massachusetts. The report looked at the financial impacts of the Education Reform Act, and how the larger amounts of state … Continue reading →

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Obama, Boehner on Arizona Shootings

Posted on January 9, 2011 by billmanzi

President Obama and Speaker Boehner speaking after the horrific shootings in Arizona. The shootings of Rep. Gifford sent shockwaves through the country. It is another scary and disappointing moment for our country. We should be able to have vigorous political … Continue reading →

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President Names Bill Daley COS

Posted on January 8, 2011 by billmanzi

President Obama named Bill Daley, of the Chicago Daleys, to be his Chief of Staff. Daley, currently serving as a senior VP at JPMorgan Chase, represents a sharp swing to the center for President Obama, and shows the continuing influence … Continue reading →

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Union Power Under Attack

Posted on January 6, 2011 by billmanzi

With state budgets throughout the country sinking into the abyss public sector unions are now under attack everywhere. And unlike prior battles organized labor in the public sector is losing the battle where it counts, with the public. From the … Continue reading →

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Tina Gagnon is the January Artist of the Month

Posted on January 6, 2011 by billmanzi

Mayor William M. Manzi has named Tina Gagnon as January’s Artist of the Month. Tina is an exceptional color pencil artist whose work is often displayed at art shows across New England. Largely self-taught, she honed her craft through study … Continue reading →

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WCCM Interview: Michael Widmer

Posted on January 5, 2011 by billmanzi

I joined Lou Blasi on WCCM last week, during the snowstorm, to talk about municipal health care, pensions, and the upcoming state budget. We were joined by Michael Widmer of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Association, who I consider to be the … Continue reading →

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Republican Budgetary Fiction

Posted on January 4, 2011 by billmanzi

The new Republican majority in the House of Representatives has put in place many new rules and procedures, including a gutting of the budgetary pay-go rules that reflect the right wing insanity on budgets and deficits. In plain language what … Continue reading →

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The Liquor Tax

Posted on December 31, 2010 by billmanzi

Saw a couple of media stories on the end of the sales tax on beverage alcohol, including the symbolic dumping of wine into the harbor by store owners. As a former owner of a package store I have tried to … Continue reading →

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