Category Archives: Uncategorized

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 →

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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 →

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President Obama on Memorial Day

Posted on May 23, 2009 by billmanzi

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

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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Sara Payne Haden, Methuen’s WASP

Posted on May 7, 2009 by billmanzi

Methuen’s own Sara Payne Haden was honored at the last Methuen City Council meeting for her service to our country as a member of the Women Airforce Service Pilots. Sara is 89 years of age, and is now one of … Continue reading →

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National Older Americans Month

Posted on May 6, 2009 by billmanzi

In Recognition of the month of May being “National Older American’s Month” Whereas: One of the most important resources the City possesses is its “older” residents who continue to enrich the community through their tireless volunteer efforts in areas such … Continue reading →

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Budget Alarms on Beacon Hill

Posted on May 5, 2009 by billmanzi

State tax collections plunged 35% in April, and more importantly they plunged 20% below the newly revised budget benchmark set by the Governor only three weeks ago. That number appears to have shocked Beacon Hill, with the FY2009 budget deficit … Continue reading →

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Major Water Main Break

Posted on May 4, 2009 by billmanzi

The City has had a major water main break of a 14 inch pipe on Howe Street. This break was caused by a contractor who broke the pipe during excavation. Our repair crews are working on the problem, but I … Continue reading →

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