Category Archives: Uncategorized

Transportation Bill is Out of Conference

Posted on June 18, 2009 by billmanzi

House and Senate conferees last night reported out a Transportation Bill, which should be voted on by both branches today. Some of the highlights include forcing MBTA employees into the State health care system (GIC) starting in FY2010, ending the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 1 Comment

Methuen Firefighters Memorial

Posted on June 14, 2009 by billmanzi

Today was the Methuen Firefighters Memorial, held at the Central Station. The weather was not cooperative, so the service was held indoors. The Firefighters put out a hearty breakfast for after the Memorial that is always delicious. I posted a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Methuen Relay for Life

Posted on May 31, 2009 by billmanzi

Methuen’s Relay for Life is occurring this weekend, and it has been a huge success. When Scott Yim and Madison Aleska came forward with this idea last year I really do not think that anyone believed it could turn out … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 2 Comments

The Great Traditions of Massachusetts:Bunker Hill Day

Posted on May 30, 2009 by billmanzi

Senator Jack Hart of South Boston, seen here extolling the virtues of the Suffolk County paid holidays (for State employees) of Bunker Hill Day and Evacuation Day. Senator Hart compares these Holidays to Labor Day and Thanksgiving, amongst others. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 17 Comments

The State Failure on Municipal Health Care Reform

Posted on May 28, 2009 by billmanzi

Today’s Tribune cites the total failure of the State Legislature to enact any health care reform that would aid municipalities. And although this issue has been discussed many times prior on this blog today’s editorial requires me to discuss this … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 14 Comments

The Transportation Dance

Posted on May 28, 2009 by billmanzi

The Transportation funding disputes continue to fester on Beacon Hill, with the Governor and Senate leadership continuing to squabble, issue statements, issue clarifications to statements, and when all else fails issue statements assigning blame to each other. After the last … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 5 Comments

President Obama on Memorial Day

Posted on May 23, 2009 by billmanzi

The Presidents Weekly Address, talking about the significance of Memorial Day.

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Panel on State Finance Delivers Grim News

Posted on May 13, 2009 by billmanzi

The panel on state finance convened by State Senator Steve Baddour met at Northern Essex last night, and the news was uniformly grim. With the State Senate poised to deliver a budget today that will be even more austere than … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Quinn Bill Editorial

Posted on May 11, 2009 by billmanzi

The Quinn Bill has been the subject of much discussion lately, and generated some interesting comments at my first post. The Tribune wrote a Sunday editorial supporting the position that localities should not be stuck with Quinn Bill costs if … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Summer Jobs Program

Posted on May 9, 2009 by billmanzi

I had the opportunity to go to the Lawrence Community TV studio and shoot “Lawrence on the Move” with Mayor Michael Sullivan and Fred Carberry to discuss the Merrimack Valley Workforce Investment Board’s Summer Jobs Program. This program, run through … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment