Lt. Governor Tim Murray came to Methuen yesterday to endorse my candidacy for Mayor. The Lt. Governor is a former Mayor of Worcester, and he knows firsthand the problems that localities face. He has been a great asset for cities and towns in Massachusetts, and has been to Methuen frequently. The Lt. Governor was joined by State Senator Baddour, Rep. Linda Dean Campbell and Rep. Barbara L’Italien. I appreciate his endorsement greatly, and I am looking forward to continuing to work with Tim Murray over the next two years.
We will be serving a full pancake breakfast this morning at the Methuen Senior Center, with the cooking being done by Chief Ken Bourassa. Come on down for some tasty breakfast.
The Art Institute of the Merrimack Valley held their annual “Art at the Library” show at the Nevins Library, and it was a huge success. Artists from throughout the Merrimack Valley participated, and the work on display was truly stunning. I once again gave out the “Mayor’s Award”, with the winner being Barbara Burns. Thanks to the Art Institute and the Nevins Library for a great evening.
President Obama talks about the uptick in GDP, and some of the beneficial impacts of the Stimulus passed earlier this year. The jobs situation remains bleak, and the President candidly acknowledges that. But he accentuates the positive, and speaks to the stabilizing effect of the actions of the federal government. As we swing into the midterms with unemployment at 10 percent or better what will happen politically in the House? Will the Dems suffer a wipeout, or lose seats but hold on to the majority? No question that the President is giving the midterms plenty of thought.
Governor Deval Patrick unveiled his plan to close a $600 million dollar budget gap yesterday, sparing the main local aid accounts and imposing varied cuts against state spending, including the potential for 2000 state layoffs. The Governor was and is faced with a truly unenviable task, and his action with regard to local aid is deeply appreciated. And as we look at what cuts the Governor now has to impose on state government I know that his decision on local aid could not have been made easily. It will be one difficult decision after another, but the Governor has, from the perspective of the localities, stepped up and made a courageous choice. It is easy to criticize, and there will always be plenty of that for a Governor in difficult financial times. But the Governor deserves praise for wisdom and courage this morning, and I offer that without reservation. Thank you Governor Patrick. The Boston Herald listed some of the cuts offered by Governor Patrick.
$277 million in cuts to executive branches, encompassing $35 million for up to 2,000 layoffs; $3.9 million from the Registry of Motor Vehicles, $2.7 million in homeless individuals assistance and $5 million for higher education bonuses for police officers, known as the Quinn Bill. …Applying $106 million from additional departmental revenues, such as $50 million in anticipated tax settlements, $27 million in saved payments to the school building authority and $9 million from developing surplus state land. Using $62 million is federal stimulus funding to prevent cuts to higher education.
Korbani’s Bakery, right across the street from the brand new CVS on Swan and Jackson, unveiled their new and expanded bakery this week. It is a great bakery, with more room now for all of their great products. Thanks to the Korbani family for their willingness to invest in Methuen.
The President talks about the pain being felt by small business, and some of the steps taken by his Administration to help a segment of our economy that creates so many jobs. And yesterday’s New York Times had a story detailing the massive hike in health care costs that these small business will face next year. From the Times:
Insurance brokers and benefits consultants say their small business clients are seeing premiums go up an average of about 15 percent for the coming year — double the rate of last year’s increases. That would mean an annual premium that was $4,500 per employee in 2008 and $4,800 this year would rise to $5,500 in 2010.
While debate continues the Republican Leader, Mitch McConnell, said Republicans cannot be in favor of any plan that “raises premiums”. I am not sure what his thoughts are on 15 percent hikes in small business premiums, or how we all survive with that rate of increase. Health care continues to strangle the economy, effectively wiping out our chance to recover from the recession and create jobs. The numbers are frightening, and the solutions to the crushing cost explosion in health care do not seem to be on the radar screen.
Yesterday was the Grand Opening of the CVS on Swan and Jackson, a project that is a linchpin of a multilayered economic development project that continues in that neighborhood. My thanks to Lou Minicucci and his development team, as well as Economic Development Director Karen Sawyer. The work on that corner continues, with the demolition of the old CVS structure, with additional parking provided for the new bank coming to that corner, as well as for the new CVS.
I attended the Teachers Pet Grand Opening yesterday at 55 Chase Street in the Acadia Mills complex. It is a beautiful store in some great space at Acadia. My thanks to Economic Development Director Karen Sawyer and her team, as well as Merrimack Valley Chamber CEO Joseph Beviliqua for all of their work. And a big thank you to the folks at Teachers Pet, who have chosen to invest in Methuen!
Bill Manzi.com 