President Obama Reports on G-20

Posted on September 26, 2009 by billmanzi

The President gives a wrap-up of the G-20 summit in Pittsburgh as well as his visit to the U.N., talking financial reform, economic growth, Iran, and the Israeli and Palestininian meeting he brokered.

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The Kirk Announcement

Posted on September 25, 2009 by billmanzi

Governor Patrick announcing the appointment of Paul Kirk as the interim selection for United States Senator.

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Governor to Name Kirk

Posted on September 24, 2009 by billmanzi

It appears that Governor Patrick will announce this morning that he is naming Paul Kirk as the interim U.S. Senator. Kirk, a Kennedy family confidante, is the choice of the family, and if selected will show that the Kennedys still have plenty of clout in Massachusetts. Governor Patrick will bypass former Governor Michael Dukakis, a fact that is not sitting well with many Dukakis loyalists in the Democratic Party. Almost a no win situation for the Governor politically. The Governor has scheduled an 11:00 a.m. press conference to make the formal announcement.

Posted in State News, U.S. Senate Race | Tagged | 5 Comments

Methuen to Retire Dan Ford's Football Number

Posted on September 24, 2009 by billmanzi

METHUEN TO RETIRE DAN FORD’S FOOTBALL NUMBER
The Late Star Running Back Will Have His Number Retired at Friday Night’s Game

Methuen will retire the number of Dan Ford on Friday, September 25, 2009 during half time of the Methuen vs. Billerica football game. Game starts at 7 p.m. The former star running back died of cancer at the age of 40 earlyer this year.

Dan Ford, a member of the Methuen High School Class of 1988, was an outstanding three-sport athlete whose incomparable dedication, enthusiasm, passion, and athletic prowess set him apart from his peers. Though he ran spring track where he distinguished himself as one of the area’s finest quarter milers, and was a power forward on the hockey team scoring thirty-two goals and thirty-six assists, his favorite sport was football where he excelled on the gridiron. A natural leader, Dan was elected a tri-captain of both his football and hockey teams.

During his junior and senior seasons, Dan ran for over a thousand yards. For that effort, he was honored by sportscaster Mike Lynch with the “High Five Award.” Dan also was named to the Merrimack Valley All-Conference Team. He was also named Methuen High’s Athlete of the Year in 1988. Those who played with Dan remember that he led his teams by both his tenacity and skilled example. Many of his former teammates will be on hand for Friday night’s cerimony.

Inducted into the Methuen High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997, Dan Ford stands as a remarkable role model for those who will follow. Only one other superb athlete, Michael Jozokos, Class of 1981, has been honored by having his football number retired. Dan will now join Mike in this elite category as his number #42 is retired. “The entire City of Methuen salutes Dan Ford’s superlative accomplishments as well as his courage,” said Methuen Mayor William M. Manzi, III. “This promises to be a moving night for the Methuen Rangers as well as Dan’s many friends and family members.”

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Historic Walls Get an Upgrade

Posted on September 24, 2009 by billmanzi

Methuen’s historic walls are one of our valued treasures. The walls are indeed unique but require upkeep, which can be expensive. The Festival of Trees is an organization that has devoted itself to helping to preserve history, and they have once again come through to fund two projects that will help to preserve valuable pieces of Methuen history. The Festival has donated $98,450 to help preserve the Bell Tower at the Presentation of Mary, as well as $25,000 to help preserve a section of Wall owned by the City along the Park Street area. We are extremely grateful for their dedication and committment to historic preservation in Methuen. Read the Tribune story here.
Visit the Festival on the web here.

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Senate Passes Interim Bill

Posted on September 23, 2009 by billmanzi

The Massachusetts Senate yesterday gave approval to the bill allowing Governor Deval Patrick to appoint an interim U.S. Senator pending the special election to fill the vacancy. The vote in the State Senate was 24-16, with eleven Democrats joining the five Senate Republicans in opposition. Locally Senator Steve Baddour and Senator Susan Tucker voted no. Up in Lowell the Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, (the great and powerful) Senator Steve Panagiotakos also voted no. The measure failed to have an emergency preamble attached, but it appears that the Governor will proceed utilizing his own administrative authority to make this legislation effective immediately. Names that have been mentioned include former Governor Michael Dukakis, and former Democratic National Committee Chair Paul Kirk, as well as Evelyn Murphy, former Lt. Governor.

Posted in National News, State News, U.S. Senate Race | Tagged | 1 Comment

Santa Comes Early to Methuen!

Posted on September 22, 2009 by billmanzi

Join us Saturday as we have a cookout to support Methuen’s Santa Parade. The event details are below. Hope to see you there.

SANTA
is coming to Methuen!!!

September 26, 2009
(rain date September 27th)

Riverside Park
(Riverside Drive)
11:00am – 2:00pm

Join Santa for a
Family Time Cookout

Activities will include a horseshoe tournament, pony rides, raffles, booths from local businesses, and demonstrations from parade participants

tickets for cookout
(includes hamburger or hotdog, soda and chips)
$5.00 each

Contact Jill Stackelin 978-683-2419 or
Dennis Marcello 978-835-3320 for tickets or more information

Thank you for supporting the
Methuen Santa Parade !!

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Methuen Receives Funding to Restore Appleyard

Posted on September 21, 2009 by billmanzi

I was very pleased to host U.S. Representative Niki Tsongas as she formally delivered a federal grant that will allow us to clean and redevelop the Appleyard site in our downtown. This site, adjacent to a residential neighborhood and in the middle of our downtown, will be converted to a park with fabulous river access that will provide additional parking to our downtown.

This site once housed an oil terminal, and more recently served as a storage site for school buses. We began the community involvement process several years ago with direct funding from the E.P.A. With the help of additional E.P.A. funding administered by the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, we’ve utilized $172,000 to date in assessment of the soil and sediment along the Spicket River.

We are now coordinating the remediation and redevelopment effort with the Licensed Site Professional. TRC of Lowell. and our Design Consultant, Nitsch Engineering of Boston. Together, they are currently collaborating on an integrated clean up and construction plan for review by the Department of Environmental Protection and the E.P.A. We will go out for bid and start in earnest as soon as we receive approval, aiming for completion in mid 2010.

My sincere thanks to Congresswoman Tsongas, who has worked diligently to bring this money to Methuen. Our legislative delegation has been superb, and a special thank you to Dennis DiZoglio, who has provided funding through the Merrimack Valley Planning Agency to keep this project moving forward. It is a real big step forward for downtown Methuen.

Receiving the Check for Appleyard

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President Obama on G-20 and Financial Reform

Posted on September 19, 2009 by billmanzi

President Obama talked of the upcoming G-20 summit and the improved health of the world economy. He also reiterated his view that financial reforms are a necessity, and need to be undertaken to protect against the possibility of Wall Street creating another financial disaster.

Posted in National News | Tagged | 2 Comments

Massachusetts House Passes Interim Senate Bill

Posted on September 18, 2009 by billmanzi

The Massachusetts House yesterday voted to give Governor Patrick the right to name an interim U.S, Senator pending the special election to fill the seat held by Ted Kennedy. The vote was 95-58, and the bill will now move to the Senate, where it appears to have the support necessary for passage. It appears that Senate Republicans will be able to delay a final vote for a few days, but that vote should occur next week. Locally Rep. Linda Dean Campbell voted no, as did Rep. David Torrisi and Rep. Brian Dempsey. Reps Barbara L’Italien, Barry Finegold, and Michael Costello all voted in favor. Does this mean the return of Michael Dukakis for a short term Senate stay?

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